Provides legal assistance to low-income Ontario residents who are eligible for support with their family or criminal legal matters

• Depending upon financial assessment, Legal Aid may pay for all or part of the qualifier's costs for the legal aid certificate
• Upon approval, the client will be given a Legal Aid certificate which allows the client to hire the lawyer of their choice who participates in the program
• Duty Counsel are available day of court to assist financially eligible individuals in family and criminal Ontario Court of Justice and to assist all individuals in bail court
• Family Violence clients may qualify for two hours of free legal advice
  • Application form (13-FV) is available to Crisis Centres by contacting the Toronto Legal Aid Office at 1-800-668-8258
• Services to Indigenous clients are a priority
  • First Nations people, Métis people and Inuit people are encouraged to self-identify their Indigenous ancestry

• all papers received from police, court, opposing party, and if you've spoken with a lawyer the exact wording requested for the certificate
• proof of income such as pay stubs or letter from employer showing gross income and itemizing all deductions, pension receipt, copy of last year's income tax return
• if unemployed - separation papers or proof of receipt of UIC, Family Benefits, Welfare (a cheque stub or letter indicating file number)
• if self employed - your business bank accounts, a balance sheet, statement of income and expenses and a Notice to Reader completed by an accountant.
• if you have no source of income, a letter from whomever you reside with setting out your financial contribution to the household
• if you are in receipt of disability benefits or a pension, a stub regarding those is required. If you are a Young Offender, your parent, who supports you, is required to be financially assessed to complete your application.
• verification of shelter costs such as mortgage payments, property tax, rent, utilities. Verification of debts including bank loans, car payments, charge accounts
• where applicable, support orders or other contracts or agreements setting out your financial obligations up-to-date bank books, credit union statements, proof of bonds, RRSP's, stocks, GIC's
• if you own property, a copy of the deed
• if you have declared bankruptcy in the past year, a copy of those papers