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If you qualify financially, Legal Aid may be able to pay your lawyer for some of these things. This is not a complete list. Please talk to your Legal Aid office about your specific case.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you may be eligible for a legal aid certificate under a separate set of financial eligibility guidelines. If you have an income or own property, you may qualify for a certificate with a contribution agreement.
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This varies by province so check with your local legal aid office.
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Call and make an appointment if possible. Then go to your local Legal Aid office and speak to a staff person.
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You can appeal. If you are turned down for legal aid. you can go back to the Legal Aid office and ask to fill out an appeal form.
After you have filled out the appeal form, you will get an appointment to speak to the area committee, usually in about two or three weeks.
You have to tell the committee, which is usually a group of three lawyers, why you are appealing the decision.
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It usually takes two or three weeks to process your application. Your lawyer cannot officially start working on your file until s/he has a Legal Aid certificate.
Make sure to tell Legal Aid staff if your situation is an emergency. The staff will help your fill out an application and may be able to tell you right away whether you can get Legal Aid. If you already have a lawyer, Legal Aid will mail the certificate directly to your lawyers. If you do not have a lawyer, you contact one while you wait for your certificate.
It takes two or three weeks to get a Legal Aid certificate. If you will require Legal Aid, apply for it promptly. The process can take time and your lawyer cannot start work on your case until you have a Legal Aid Certificate.
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Legal aid is usually free to people with little income or money. People who have a little money but not enough to hire a lawyer may have to pay part of the cost.
If you do have to pay, you will be asked to sign a Payment Agreement which says that you agree to:
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Community Legal Clinics may be able to help you. The clinics have lawyers and trained legal workers to give you advice and represent you.
These clinics usually deal with housing, (landlord and tenant) social assistance (welfare), pension, Worker's Compensation, employment insurance and immigration and employment rights issues.
You will have to complete a financial test to make sure you qualify for their service.
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