Law Talk: Solving your legal problems
In 1998, the Ontario government strengthened its commitment to providing legal aid for low-income individuals by establishing Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). LAO is a “Publicly funded and publicly accountable non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting access to justice throughout Ontario for low-income individuals by means of providing consistently high quality legal aid services in a cost-effective manner.”
Legal aid is available for a variety of legal problems, including criminal matters, family disputes, immigration and refugee hearings and poverty law issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, disability and family benefits payments. The Legal Aid Ontario offers assistance through five main programs, namely the Certificate program, the Duty Counsel program, Family Law Information Centres, Community Legal Clinics and Student Legal Aid Societies. Over the next few months, we will highlight each of the programs in the Law Talk column.
Legal aid can be accessed via the Certificate program, which will entitle eligible persons to receive advice and representation by a lawyer of their choice. If eligible, certificates are approved for criminal, civil and family law cases. To determine if you are eligible, you will need to apply for a legal aid certificate by attending in person at a local Legal Aid Ontario office (see www.legalaid.on.ca/en/locate/default.asp). If you are eligible, the certificate can be presented as payment to a private lawyer who accepts legal aid cases.
Eligibility for a legal aid certificate is based on financial need (including assets and income) and the type of case. As an applicant, you may be required to pay for a portion of the cost depending on your financial situation. You can appeal a decision to the Area Committee in the event that you are asked to contribute some money to your legal fees which you feel you cannot afford, or you are denied legal aid.
This column provides legal information only. If you need legal advice please contact a lawyer, community legal clinic or the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-900-565-4LRS (a $6.00 charge will apply). You can contact Community Legal Services at the Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario at 519-661-3352 to book an appointment to discuss your legal issue. Fanshawe College students may also book an appointment to attend our outreach clinic at the college.
This column provides legal information only. If you need legal advice please contact a lawyer, community legal clinic or the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-900-565-4LRS (a $6.00 charge will apply). Fanshawe College students may book an appointment to attend our outreach clinic at the college. Please call us at 519-661-3352 to book an appointment
Legal aid is available for a variety of legal problems, including criminal matters, family disputes, immigration and refugee hearings and poverty law issues such as landlord/tenant disputes, disability and family benefits payments. The Legal Aid Ontario offers assistance through five main programs, namely the Certificate program, the Duty Counsel program, Family Law Information Centres, Community Legal Clinics and Student Legal Aid Societies. Over the next few months, we will highlight each of the programs in the Law Talk column.
Legal aid can be accessed via the Certificate program, which will entitle eligible persons to receive advice and representation by a lawyer of their choice. If eligible, certificates are approved for criminal, civil and family law cases. To determine if you are eligible, you will need to apply for a legal aid certificate by attending in person at a local Legal Aid Ontario office (see www.legalaid.on.ca/en/locate/default.asp). If you are eligible, the certificate can be presented as payment to a private lawyer who accepts legal aid cases.
Eligibility for a legal aid certificate is based on financial need (including assets and income) and the type of case. As an applicant, you may be required to pay for a portion of the cost depending on your financial situation. You can appeal a decision to the Area Committee in the event that you are asked to contribute some money to your legal fees which you feel you cannot afford, or you are denied legal aid.
This column provides legal information only. If you need legal advice please contact a lawyer, community legal clinic or the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-900-565-4LRS (a $6.00 charge will apply). You can contact Community Legal Services at the Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario at 519-661-3352 to book an appointment to discuss your legal issue. Fanshawe College students may also book an appointment to attend our outreach clinic at the college.
This column provides legal information only. If you need legal advice please contact a lawyer, community legal clinic or the Lawyer Referral Service at 1-900-565-4LRS (a $6.00 charge will apply). Fanshawe College students may book an appointment to attend our outreach clinic at the college. Please call us at 519-661-3352 to book an appointment
