2. Find out if your legal issue is covered
Question & Answer
How do I apply for a legal aid certificate?Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) only gives legal aid certificates for certain kinds of legal issues. They cover some issues about:
- family law
- criminal law
- immigration law
- refugee law
Family law
You usually can't get a to pay for a , except in very rare situations. For example, where there are also immigration issues or where a divorce is needed to deal with financial difficulties, like qualifying for a pension.
You may be able to get a certificate for , , support, or child protection issues. Decision-making responsibility and parenting time used to be called and .
When deciding if you qualify for a certificate, LAO looks at things like:
- how complex the case is, for example how many legal issues are involved
- if the person paying support is self-employed
- literacy issues
- domestic violence
If you're not eligible for a certificate, you may be referred to other LAO services, like duty counsel, , or a Family Law Service Centre.
Criminal law
LAO may cover some or all the cost of your legal help if:
- you've been charged with a crime and it is likely that you will go to jail if you're found guilty
- you're between 12 and 17 years old and have been charged with a crime under the Youth Criminal Justice Act
- you belong to a vulnerable group
- you've experienced domestic violence and don't have a criminal record
- you're in jail and trying to get
- you could face serious immigration consequences if you're found guilty
Even if you don't qualify for a legal aid certificate, you may be able to use the criminal duty counsel program when you're in court. Through this program, LAO pays lawyers, known as duty counsel, to give free legal advice to people who don't have a lawyer. Duty counsel work in most courts in Ontario. If they aren't in the courthouse, they will have an office nearby.
Immigration law
LAO can help with some immigration problems. For example, LAO might be able help if:
- someone is for immigration reasons
- someone is appealing to the Immigration Appeal Division because there's a against them
- in certain situations, Canada Border Services Agency is ready to remove them from Canada
Refugee law
LAO can help with some refugee services. For example. LAO might be able to help:
- prepare the Basis of Claim form,
- represent you at your refugee , prepare an ,
- prepare an application for , represent you at a cessation or vacation hearing, and help you prepare for a (PRRA).
If you're not eligible for a certificate, LAO also funds refugee law offices in Toronto, Hamilton, and Ottawa. Lawyers at these offices can represent some people who qualify for legal aid services.
