Referrals

NLS only provides legal services in specific areas of law. These areas are determined by our Board of Directors based on community needs and our limited resources. Our areas of practice include Housing, Social Assistance and Income Security, Immigration, Employment Standards and Employment Insurance, Domestic/Family Violence, and Notarizing & Commissioning documents

Please see the referral information below to get assistance in:
Criminal Law;
Family Law;
Civil Litigation (suing for damages);
Human Rights Law; and,
Wills and Estates.

criminal law

family law

Legal Aid Ontario
Atrium on Bay - 20 Dundas St. W., Suite 201
Evening Appointments Available
Phone: 416-598-0200
If you qualify, Legal Aid Ontario may issue you a Legal Aid Certificate to retain a family lawyer. There is a financial criteria to qualify for services. Please refer to this document for an overview of the application process and what information you might need to provide to Legal Aid Ontario.

Family Law Service Centres
Atrium on Bay, 20 Dundas St. W., #203
Phone: 416-348-0001
Family Law Service Centres (FLSCs) offer eligible clients a range of legal resources and support for family matters.

Family Court Duty Counsel
311 Jarvis St. (Walk In Only)
Family Duty Counsel are family lawyers funded by Legal Aid Ontario who can give legal advice only to people who don't have lawyers.

Family Law Information Centres
These are located at family courts located at 311 Jarvis Street, 47 Sheppard Ave. East, and 393 University Avenue – 10th Floor.
They have a number of easy to understand information on family law matters. At designated times there is also an advice lawyer available to offer free advice on a first come first serve basis.
You can find further information here: http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/infoctr.asp

Law Society (Lawyer and Paralegal) Referral Service
Phone: 416-947-3330
If you do not qualify for Legal Aid, you may find a lawyer or paralegal and get a free 30 minute consultation by calling the Law Society Referral Service. The consultation is free, but you will have to pay yourself for any legal services.

Advice Lawyer (Tuesdays Only)
Dixon Hall – 58 Sumach Street
From 5pm (Tuesdays only, 1st come 1st serve)
Phone: 416-863-0499
You may receive free advice only on your legal issue by meeting a lawyer through Dixon Hall.

civil litigation (suing for damages)

Legal Aid Ontario does not provide or fund any services for civil litigation (suing someone for damages). You can get assistance from the following services:

Law Society (Lawyer and Paralegal) Referral Service
Phone: 416-947-3330
You may find a lawyer or paralegal and get a free 30 minute consultation by calling the Law Society Referral Service. The consultation is free, but you will have to pay yourself for any legal services.
The Law Society allows lawyers to provide services on what is called a "Contingency Fee Basis". This means that if a lawyer accepts your case on a contingency fee basis you might not have to pay the lawyer until your case is completed. However, the lawyer will sign an agreement with you that the lawyer will take a certain percentage (this can sometimes be 25% or higher) of the damages you get from the court. Depending on your agreement with the lawyer, you will usually not have to pay anything if you do not win your case. You can call the Law Society Referral Service and specifically ask for civil lawyers who accept Contingency Fees.

Pro Bono Law Ontario
130 Queen Street West
Phone: 416-977-4448
Web: www.lawhelpontario.org
Pro Bono Law Ontario's Law Help Ontario project provides limited advice only and limited assistance with filling out legal forms.

human rights

Human Rights Legal Support Centre
Phone: 416-597-4900
TTY: 416-597-4903
Fax: 416-597-4901
Web: www.hrlsc.on.ca
The Human Rights Legal Support Centre provides assistance including advice and representation in some cases to all Ontarians who want to bring a claim for discrimination contrary to the Human Rights Code. Note that the HRLSC does NOT provide assistance with defending human rights claims.

wills and estates

Pro Bono Law Ontario (Ottawa ONLY!)
Phone: 613-231-6111 ext 705
Fax: 613-231-6110
Unfortunately, there are few free or affordable services for low income Ontarians in the areas of making wills and estate planning. Pro Bono Law Ontario has started a free service to address this gap. Unfortunately, to date the service is available only in Ottawa.
For more information, please click here to access a brochure created by Pro Bono Law Ontario.