Services in Ontario
Criminal law
Ontario Paralegal Association
The association has an online tool to help you find a licensed paralegal. You can search by name, area of law, and location.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) – Criminal Law Services
LAO has services for people who have been charged with a crime. This includes:
- a free summary advice line that can give you up to 20 minutes of information and general advice about your criminal law matter
- criminal duty counsel who can give you free legal advice if you don’t have a lawyer on the day of your hearing
- a legal aid certificate program if you have a low income and if your legal issue is one that LAO covers
Website
legalaid.on.ca/services/criminal-legal-issuesContact Information
Phone: 416-979-1446 Toll-free: 1-800-668-8258 TTY: 711Association of French Speaking Jurists of Ontario (AJEFO)
AJEFO is a group of legal professionals who promote access to justice in French. AJEFO’s services to the public include:
- the Ontario Legal Information Centre, which offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer by telephone or in person at their Ottawa office in any area of law in English and French
- CliquezJustice.ca, which has legal information on many legal topics
- a member directory, where you can search for a legal professional by location and area of law
Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society of Ontario has an online Law Society Referral Service that gives you the name of a lawyer or licensed paralegal who will give free legal advice for up to 30 minutes in any area of law.
If you cannot wait for a lawyer or paralegal to call you back, or if you do not have a call-back number, email lsrs@lso.ca. If you’re in crisis or in custody, call 1-855-947-5255 or 416-947-5255, Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Ontario Legal Information Centre
The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario, online or by phone in English or French. The centre provides legal information on any legal topic, and referrals to services. Book a meeting online or call 1-844-343-7462 if you need help.
Law Society of Ontario – Lawyer and Paralegal Directory
The directory lists all lawyers and paralegals licensed to give legal services in Ontario. You can search by name, address or postal code, language, and area of law.
JusticeNet
JusticeNet is a not-for-profit organization that can help people find legal services when their income is too high for legal aid and too low to afford legal fees. Their website has a list of lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who charge reduced fees based on your income and family size. You must register and pay a small fee to use their services.
Website
justicenet.ca