Office of the Children’s Lawyer

The Office of the Children’s Lawyer (OCL) is the government-funded office that represents children under the age of 18 in some court cases.

The OCL is not automatically involved in court cases dealing with decision-making responsibility and parenting time, which used to be called custody and access. They have to agree to accept your case. The OCL has clinicians and lawyers across Ontario. OCL clinicians, who are usually social workers, prepare reports about a child’s needs, views, and wishes. OCL lawyers represent children in court.