COVID19 -- serving clients by phone as much as possible * agency will continue to prepare Gladue reports and Gladue Letters and provide Court Worker services to the Toronto courts * all walk-in service, group programming, notarization, commissioning of documents and public legal education and outreach activities are currently suspended

----------------------------------------

Community Legal Clinic 416-408-4041, fax 416-408-1568 * deals primarily with landlord and tenant issues, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD), human rights, police complaints, criminal injuries compensation, poverty law, Indian Act * no criminal or family law * may provide representation * referrals to lawyers in private practice where appropriate * law reform and public legal education activities * funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Aboriginal Court Worker Program -- support to those appearing in court * assistance in finding lawyers and contacting family members * referrals * available at all criminal courts in Toronto

Community Council Program -- criminal diversion program for young and adult Aboriginal offenders charged with a wide variety of offences * substitutes court appearance with an appearance before community members, with a disposition focusing on culture, tradition and healing

Gladue (Aboriginal Persons) Courts -- support available at Old City Hall, College Park and 1000 Finch Ave W courts

Gladue Writer/Caseworker -- call for information

Giiwedin Anang Council -- Aboriginal alternative dispute resolution for families involved in the child welfare system * family counselling delivered by community Elders and members focus on traditional teachings and Talking Circles

COVID-19 -- provincial and legal aid offices closed to the public * continue to provide help over the phone * check service updates on www.legalaid.on.ca/news/covid-19-update-on-our-client-services


----------------------------------------


Free legal information, advice and other services



Legal Aid Certificates

• reimburses participating lawyers for services rendered on behalf of client
• client may have to agree to repay all or part of legal fees
• financial assessment required
• only granted for serious legal matters such as criminal, family or immigration and refugee law

Duty Counsel

• provides legal representation for low-income people appearing in court without a lawyer
• advice and information * criminal, family and tenant cases
• mental health duty counsel for persons living in psychiatric facilities

Community Legal Clinics

• nonprofit independent and specialty legal centres funded by Legal Aid Ontario -- see separate entries
• legal assistance in areas such as housing law, social assistance and other income support programs
• client may be asked to contribute towards disbursements

Family Law Service Centres (FLSC)

• range of legal resources and support for family matters -- see separate entries
• located in Toronto Central, Toronto North, Newmarket, Brampton, Chatham and Sarnia
• Family Law Information Centres (FLICs) -- advice lawyer, located at certain courts

Refugee Law Office -- legal assistance to refugee claimants and immigrants eligible for legal aid, see separate entry

LawFacts, www.lawfacts.ca -- online legal information

COVID-19 -- closed to all in-person services until further notice * go to Legal Advice Hotline -- 1-855-255-7256 Mon-Fri 9:30 am-12 noon, 1 pm-4 pm

----------------------------------------

Free legal services for persons being sued or who are suing in civil courts or require help with problems in employment law, consumer law, corporate law (non-profits, newcomer entrepreneurs and small businesses) housing issues, and Powers of Attorney

• no family or criminal law, immigration or estate administration issues
• clinics located at Superior Court, 393 University Ave and Small Claims Court, 47 Sheppard Ave 

Education -- legal services for children with education-related problems such as accommodating disabilities or exceptionalities, bullying, or discipline matters such as suspension or expulsion

Start-ups, non-profits and charities -- business law services, including incorporation, charitable status, corporate structure, intellectual property and contracts

Legal Advice Hotline, 1-855-255-7256, Monday-Friday 9:30 am-4 pm -- up to 30 minutes free legal advice and help drafting legal documents

Workplace Sexual Harassment Hotline, 1-855-776-1855, Monday-Friday 1 pm-7 pm -- free legal advice and assistance for victims of workplace sexual harassment in Ontario
 

Personal Rights -- legal representation of children under the Courts of Justice Act in custody/access matters under the Divorce Act and Children's Law Reform Act

• legal representation of children and minor parents under the Child and Family Services Act, in child protection proceedings and Consent to Adoption matters
• preparation of reports to the court under the Courts of Justice Act in custody/access applications

Property Rights -- represents the child's interest in estate or trust matters * provides civil legal representation for the child when there is no one willing and able to do so

Hears appeals and decides issues involving:* land drainage* marketing boards* crop insurance* licensing issues* farm property classification* treatment of agricultural employees* disputes under various statutes**Also accredits general farm organizations and considers requests for religious exemptions from registering farm businesses

Adjudicative tribunal * hears appeals from parents regarding special education of students with exceptionalities * receives appeals from all Public and Catholic school boards in Ontario * last step in dispute resolution process * under auspices of Social Justice Tribunals Ontario

Professional organisation for family and elder mediators * education * professional development in the field * assists public to locate a local mediatorFamily mediation: help with future plans * parenting arrangements * support and maintenance for children or spouses * division of family assets and liabilitiesElder and intergenerational mediation: dispute resolution via tools for communication, understandingFamily business mediation: business agreement and arrangement negotiations: valuation, establishment, reorganization, succession, dissolution or sale.

The Farm Practices Conflict Resolution Process was established in 2004 by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board (NFPPB). Its purpose is to:* help resolve disputes about farm practices (nuisance complaints about odour, noise, dust, flies, light, smoke or vibration)* reduce the need for Board hearings* also used for conflicts between farm practices and municipal by-laws

Functions as an alternative to the Court process regarding Child Welfare matters

• Provides family mediation services (dispute resolution) through traditional Circles
• Aims to restore harmony between family members through an agreed-upon family care plan

Assists community members with the following legal matters:

• Criminal Law if custody if probable
• Family Law
• Child Welfare

Note: Does not help with civil law, employment law, human rights, housing, or social assistance

Specializes in mediation and providing Family Law information and referral services to individuals involved in Family Court, either through the Ontario Court of Justice or Superior Court of Justice
Offers mediation services to mediate family disputes, including the following:

• Access
• Child support
• Custody
• Division of property
• Spousal support

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
• A certificate program for complex and serious cases

Areas of law served include:

• Criminal
• Domestic violence
• Family

Does NOT cover applications for:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Change of name
• Personal bankruptcy
• Power of attorney
• Money lent to others or money owed to others
• Sponsorship of relatives
• Commercial litigation
• Real estate matters and libel
• Defamation and slander

• Provides free legal advice and assistance to low income earners
• Offers representation in a court or at a tribunal, such as the Social Benefits Tribunal or the Landlord and Tenant Board
• Assists with preparing documents, such as an application to the Landlord and Tenant Board

Helps with the following areas:

• Employment Insurance
• Canada Pension Plan (CPP and CPP Disability)
• Housing law for tenants and co-op members only
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works (OW)

Note: No advice or representation is given regarding Family Law, Criminal Law, or Refugee Law

Francophone provincial-level aggregation of regional organizations dedicated to the elimination of violence directed toward women * preaches action by the cooperation of networks * action based on a feminist analysis of the social and community situation * promotes the development of resources for French-speaking women in Ontario * develops dialogue and communication between the different networksOnline or in-person training * public awareness * support for advocates of women who have experienced violenceFamily Court Support Worker Program -- information on the family court process * assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid) * referral to specialized services and supports in the community * safety planning * court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

COVID19 -- services available by phone
----------------------------------

Community legal clinic

• legal representation in the many areas of law including residential care, education, criminal matters, child welfare, human rights and constitutional law, financial assistance or support and leaving home
• legal information and assistance to youth, professionals and community groups
• also to parents for some issues
• community development and outreach
• advocacy
• public resource centre
• seminars
• accepts collect calls
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Street Youth Legal Services (SYLS) -- legal advice and outreach to street-involved youth at shelters and youth services

COVID19 -- service by phone, no in person meetings or public education activities * intake Mon, Wed, Fri 9 am-5 pm

-----------------------------------------------

Community legal clinic

• advice, representation, referrals, advocacy
• areas of law include privacy, social assistance, immigration, housing/tenant, pensions, Employment Insurance (EI), private insurance benefits, health, criminal, prison (HIV-related), human rights, substitute decision making and powers of attorney
• community legal education speakers and publications
•  law reform and test case litigation
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario, AIDS Bureau (Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care), foundations and donors
• also known as HALCO

Information and assistance on insurance (including life, health, property, disability, automobile), pension plans, loan and trust companies, deposit insurance, credit unions and caisses populaires, mortgage brokers, cooperatives * regulates industry practices, companies, agents and adjusters * protects interests of consumers, receives complaints * dispute resolution services * arm's length agency of Ontario Ministry of Finance



Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Fund (MVACF), 416-250-1422, 1-800-268-7188 -- provides compensation to people injured in automobile accidents when no automobile insurance exists to respond to the claim

COVID19 -- walk in services suspended, call 416-971-9674

------------------------

Community legal clinic

• deals primarily with immigration, tenant issues, social assistance, employment rights, human rights, poverty law
• most refugee cases referred to Legal Aid
• may provide representation
• summary advice in domestic violence and other family law cases
• community education
• speakers
• law reform
• community advocacy
• funded by Legal Aid Ontario

COVID19 -- service available by phone or email, no walk-in service * call 647-563-4201 or for legal inquiries, 647-462-3164 * also emai for settlement matters - settlement@spanishservices.org ; for domestic violence matters - womenshelp@spanishservices.org ; for legal matters
- legalclinic@spanishservices.org ; for HIV/AIDS related matters - prevention@spanishservices.org



Deals primarily with employment rights, human rights, immigration, social assistance, refugees, tenant issues, Employment Insurance (EI) * law reform * funded by Legal Aid Ontario

Services include:

• mediation
• coaching
• facilitation for organizations, communities, and individuals

Third Party Neutral Program: 4 five-day modules:

• conflict theories
• community based conflict resolution
• third party neutral role's of conciliation, mediation, facilitation of groups in conflict
• designing conflict interventions through teaching, role-plays and conflict scenarios
• participants graduate from the program with a 160-hour program certificate

Visit website for more information on other training opportunities.

Programs include:Residential School Information Line, 1-866-879-4913 -- Mon-Sun 8 am-11 pm * basic information about IAP, ADR and CEP programs * will mail out application kits * confirms receipt of IAP applicationsCommon Experience Payment (CEP) Call Centre, 1-866-640-9992 -- Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm * general information and inquiries regarding status of application * will answer specific inquiries about the status of an application for reconsideration, an application for National Administration Committee appeal, an application for a court appealIndependent Assessment Process (IAP) Info Line, 1-877-635-2648 -- Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm * responds to a broad range of questions related to the IAP * provides claimants and counsel with status updates in regards to specific claims

Financial counselling and mediation services * voluntary service for both producers and for creditors

Promotes alternative dispute resolution * develops standards for mediation and arbitration * seminars and conferences * searchable database of mediators and arbitrators * affiliate of ADR Institute of Canada