4. Get legal help

Lawyers have special training that allow them to represent you in court and give legal advice.

Legal advice

Legal advice means that a lawyer can explain how the law applies to your specific situation and what your options are. For example, they can advise you on ways to keep your abusive partner away from you.

Read “Where can I find a lawyer to help with my family law issue?” to learn how to find a lawyer.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, read “I cannot afford a family law lawyer. Where can I find legal help?”. There are lawyers who provide “unbundled services” or “limited scope retainer” services. This means you pay them to help you with only part of your case.

Free legal help for survivors of domestic abuse

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) offers some free legal help to survivors of domestic abuse:

• Summary advice line: If your income is low enough you can get 20 minutes of free information and general advice. Call 1-800-668-8258 to find out more.
• Certificate program: If your income is low enough and if your legal issue is one that LAO covers, you might get a legal aid certificate. With a certificate, LAO pays a private lawyer to work on your legal problem for a certain number of hours. You have to find a lawyer that accepts legal aid certificates. Call 1-800-668-8258 to apply for one.
• Voucher program: You do not need to have a low income to use this program. With a referral voucher you get 2 hours of free advice from a family lawyer with experience in family violence issues. If you also have immigration issues, you can get another voucher for 2 hours of free advice from an immigration and refugee lawyer.
  Contact your local shelter or community legal clinic to ask how to get a referral voucher.

The Ministry of Attorney General (MAG) also has an Independent Legal Advice program: You do not need to have a low income to use this program.

You can get 8 hours of free advice from a lawyer if you have experienced domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual assault. A lawyer can explain the criminal court process, and advice you on how to:

• report the violence to the police,
• make a claim to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario,
• complain to your employer or a professional regulatory organization, or
• file a civil case.

Call the Barbara Schlifer Commemorative Clinic at 416-323-9149 to find out more.

Legal clinics and organizations

Luke’s Place works with women across Ontario by providing legal advice, support, and referrals. They offer a Virtual Legal Clinic that connects women with lawyers for free legal advice on family law issues. Call 905-728-0978 or 1-866-516-3116.

The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic helps women in Toronto who've experienced physical, sexual, or psychological abuse. The Clinic represents women in family and immigration court for free. Call 416-323-9140 or 416-323-1361 (TTY).

Jared’s place provides free legal information to women who have experienced abuse. Women can get support from a legal advocate and general legal advice from a lawyer. Call 905-522-0127, ext. 202.