Finding a Lawyer

Legal Aid Ontario

Legal Aid Ontario provides legal assistance for low-income people. Services include:

• legal representation for eligible clients who appear in court without a lawyer;
• legal aid applications and information over the phone;
• legal resources and referrals to other social assistance agencies; and
• a certificate program for complex and serious cases.

Community and Specialty Legal Clinics

Legal Aid Ontario funds community legal clinics throughout the province; including clinics that provide specialty legal services (e.g. Justice for Children and Youth).

Legal clinics employ lawyers, legal workers, paralegals and administrative staff to provide information, legal advice and representation.

Each is a non-profit legal centre, governed by an independent board of directors representative of the community it serves.

Lawyer and Paralegal Referral Service

The Law Society of Ontario can assist you in finding a lawyer or paralegal. Visit the Lawyer and Paralegal Referral Service to apply on-line.

If in crisis, e.g. being held in custody: 1-855-947-5255 or 416-947-5255, M – F, 9am – 5pm.

Pro Bono Ontario

PBO connects volunteer lawyers with Ontarians who can’t afford a lawyer.

Free Legal Advice Hotline for up to 30 minutes of free legal advice and assistance with civil law matters in Ontario (no family law, immigration or criminal). 

1-855-255-7256 (toll free) – accepts calls from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm