Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) provides legal help in English and French for financially eligible low‑income Ontarians. Since forming under the Legal Aid Services Act of 1998 (LASA, 1998), LAO has become a vital part of a strong justice system, providing high-quality legal services in: family law. refugee and immigration law.
What is the purpose of legal aid in Canada?
Legal aid promotes access to justice for economically disadvantaged persons, and helps to ensure that the Canadian justice system is fair, efficient and accessible, and that public confidence in the justice system is maintained.
Do you have to pay legal aid back in Ontario?
If you have an income or own property, you may qualify for a certificate with a contribution agreement. This means you will be required to repay LAO some or all of your legal fees, based on your income level. A contribution agreement outlines how much you will repay LAO.
What is the mandate of legal aid Ontario?
LAO mandate
This review confirmed that LAO is mandated to provide essential legal services to low- income Ontarians in the areas of law set out in the legislation (Section 3). Further, that LAO directs employees and partners with various service providers (individuals and entities) to meet client needs.
What do you need to qualify for legal aid in Ontario?
To qualify for legal aid in Ontario you must have little or no money left after you pay for basic necessities like food and housing. People on social assistance almost always qualify for legal aid. You may be eligible for legal aid even if you have some money in the bank or even if you own a home.
What is the aim of legal aid?
Legal aid is the provision of assistance to people who are unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal aid is regarded as central in providing access to justice by ensuring equality before the law, the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial.
What is the purpose of legal aid?
Legal aid can help you pay for some or all of your legal costs. You may be able to get legal aid if you’re on a low income and your problem is serious. For example, you could get legal aid if: you’re at risk of losing your home.
What cases are not covered by Legal Aid Ontario?
Ontario covers cases only if there is a probability of the individual going to jail, whereas British Columbia covers cases where there is a possibility of “going to jail, losing one’s means of earning a livelihood, or being deported.”
Does legal aid cover everything?
Legal Aid will fund all costs related to your case, including the costs of legal advice, representation, evidence gathering and court fees. It will also pay the other party’s costs if you lose. However, depending on their income and savings, some people will be asked to contribute towards their legal costs.
How long does it take to get legal aid approved?
Applications are usually processed within 25 working days. If we agree a case is urgent, we will prioritise it and make a decision within 10 working days.
Do you have to pay back legal aid?
Applying for legal aid
If you qualify, the legal aid will be paid directly to them. You’ll need to pay some legal aid back if you keep or gain any money or property at the end of your court case.
What areas of law are not covered by legal aid?
Huge areas of civil law have been removed from the scope of legal aid. All family law cases that don’t involve domestic violence are no longer covered, although payments may be made to help with mediation. Immigration cases are only covered if they involve claims for asylum, human rights issues or domestic violence.
Who is not entitled for legal aid under the law?
It states that those persons who have annual income of less than the amount prescribed by the respective State Government, if the case is before any court other than the Supreme Court, and less than Rs. 5 Lakhs, if the case is before the Supreme Court, are eligible for free legal aid.
How much does legal aid cover in Ontario?
For this program, the financial threshold for a single applicant without dependents remains at $22,720 in gross annual income.
Duty counsel eligibility thresholds.
| Number of family members | The amount of money your family earns in a year |
|---|---|
| 1 | $22,720 |
| 2 | $32,131 |
| 3 | $39,352 |
| 4 | $45,440 |
How much savings can you have for legal aid?
If you are applying for legal aid for court proceedings then savings between £3000 and £8000 may be liable to be paid to the LAA as a contribution to your case.
What is the cut off for free legal aid?
To get civil legal aid and advice you will need to have an annual disposable income of less than €18,000 and disposable assets of less than€100,000.
What are the two types of legal aid?
The types of legal aid are as follows:
- Public Defenders. Applying to get a public defender appointed is a type of legal aid.
- Legal Aid Clinics. Legal Aid clinics are also a type of legal aid.
- Personal Injury Attorneys on Contingency.
- Pro Bono Services.
- Social Justice Organizations.
- Conclusion.
Where does legal aid money come from?
The Government provides money to help pay for your case. The money comes from the Community Legal Services Fund (CLS) and is administered by the Legal Aid Agency. You may be entitled to legal aid just to speak to a solicitor and to have a solicitor write letters on your behalf, this is known as Legal Help.
Who are benefited by the legal aid scheme?
This scheme provide legal services to the middle income group citizens i.e. citizens whose gross income is not exceeding Rs. 60,000/- p.m. or Rs. 7,50,000/-.
What is the criteria for legal aid?
Most legal aid cases will be means tested; so you will have to show that you cannot afford to pay legal costs. You will be required to give information about your income, benefits, savings, property and shares and those of your partner. We will ask you for proof of your income before we work with you under legal aid.
Why is free legal aid important?
Free legal aid is provided to ensure that opportunities for justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities. Legal services includes rendering of any service in the conduct of any case or other legal proceedings before any court and giving of advice on any legal matter.