Office phone: 416-979-1446
Toll-free phone: 1-800-668-8258
Fax: 416-979-2948
E-mail: info@lao.on.ca
Web site: www.legalaid.on.ca
Address: Atrium on Bay, 40 Dundas St W, Ste 200, Toronto, ON, M5G 2H1

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Location: (Intersection) Toronto Central (Bay St and Dundas St W)
Ward: Toronto Centre-Rosedale (Ward 27)
Languages of service:

• English
• sign interpreters arranged through Canadian Hearing Society and paid by Legal Aid Ontario
• Simultaneous interpretation for 120 languages (including 18 Aboriginal languages)

Eligibility: Persons with low incomes - see below for specific services
How to apply: Call for information - certificate application -- no appointment needed, but bring all documents related to case and to personal finances - proof of social assistance required
Physical access: Wheelchair accessible building including main entrance and barrier free washrooms - parking close to entrance
Service description:

Free legal information and advice
• arranges for payment of lawyers through Legal Aid Certificates in cases requiring legal representation
• out of court settlement conferences for some civil cases

Legal Aid Certificates
• reimburses participating lawyers for services rendered on behalf of client
• financial assessment required
• only granted for some types of legal problems, usually criminal, immigration or family law matters
• client may have to agree to repay all or part of legal fees
• seniors who collect Guaranteed Income Supplement (and do not own property) may have lawyer reimbursed for will preparation

Advice Lawyer
• people who qualify for legal aid financially but whose particular cases are not eligible for a certificate are able to receive some assistance and advice, particularly in family law matters or where a person needs help to file documents

Community Legal Clinics
• provincial office funds and sets policy for independent, specialty and student legal clinics in Toronto (indexed under LEGAL SERVICES and its subheadings)
• for services beyond information and advice, clients usually required to meet financial or case eligibility guidelines and not be eligible for Legal Aid Certificate
• formal representation only available in particular areas such as tenant issues, immigration, pensions, social assistance, Employment Insurance (EI), workers compensation, poverty law
• client may be asked to contribute towards disbursements

Family Law Offices
• located in Ottawa and Thunder Bay
• assist clients with legal aid certificates in retaining a lawyer on family issues

Family Law Service Centres
• located in Chatham, Newmarket, Peel, Sarnia, Toronto Central and Toronto North
• range of legal resources and support for family matters

Criminal Law Offices
• located in Barrie, Brampton and Ottawa
• full range of representation and advice services

Also provides funding for Student Legal Aid Services Societies operating out of Ontario's six law schools (in Kingston, London, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor)

Organization type: Non Profit


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Last complete update: 2008-11-07
Last modification date: 2011-08-09
Subjects: Legal aid; Legal information
Record ID: MET0601