Legal Services

The Canadian legal system protects you in many different areas of your life. Find information about your legal rights and responsibilities and how to get legal help.

Legal Aid and Community Clinics

How can a Community Legal Clinic help me?
Community legal clinics (CLCs) can give you free or low-cost legal information, advice and representation.
What is Legal Aid?
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) gives low-income people access to various legal services to meet their legal needs.
How do I apply for legal aid services?
To apply for a Legal Aid certificate you must first contact a Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) Office in your area.

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Lawyers and Other Legal Help

How do I find a lawyer?
Finding the right lawyer for your purpose is very important. This article shares a few ways to help you get started.
How do I work effectively with a lawyer?
Learn what your lawyer can do for you, and prepare well for your meetings.
How much does a lawyer cost?
It is important to know what types of fees you may have to pay a lawyer. When you go see a lawyer, you should ask for an estimate of what the work will cost.

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Human Rights

What human rights protection does Canada offer?
Human rights are an important part of Canadian law.
What human rights protection does Ontario offer?
In Ontario, human rights are protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
What can I do if I feel harassed or discriminated against?
If you are experiencing problems and feel discriminated against, there are organizations in your area that can help you.

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Courts

What is the court system in Ontario?
The Court of Ontario has two divisions: Superior Court of Justice (the higher or general division) and the Ontario Court of Justice (the lower or provincial division).
What is the difference between criminal and civil court?
Criminal law deals with acts that violate the Criminal Code and other federal statutes. Civil law deals with disputes between private parties.
What are legal tribunals and boards?
Tribunals and boards usually hear cases related to a specific area, such as tenant rights, human rights, or immigration issues.

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Police

What do I do if the police arrest me?
The police cannot arrest or detain you without following very strict rules.
What can I do if I was seriously injured by the police?
How to report police brutality and abuse.
What do the police do?
In Canada, the police are separate from government and from the military. In Ontario, police services must include crime prevention, law enforcement, assistance to victims of crime, public order maintenance, and emergency response.

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Legal Services

Legal Aid and Community Clinics

How can a Community Legal Clinic help me?

What is Legal Aid?

How do I apply for legal aid services?

Lawyers and Other Legal Help

How do I find a lawyer?

How do I work effectively with a lawyer?

How much does a lawyer cost?

Human Rights

What human rights protection does Canada offer?

What human rights protection does Ontario offer?

What can I do if I feel harassed or discriminated against?

Courts

What is the court system in Ontario?

What is the difference between criminal and civil court?

What are legal tribunals and boards?

Police

What do I do if the police arrest me?

What can I do if I was seriously injured by the police?

What do the police do?