If you are a low-income Ontarian, you may be eligible for a Legal Aid Ontario certificate, which plays a crucial role in finding the right lawyer. You can take or send your LAO-issued certificate to a private practice lawyer, such as those in HCLS, who accepts legal aid services. If the lawyer acknowledges the certificate, he or she agrees to represent you for a specified number of hours in a legal proceeding, up to and including a trial.
These questions can help you in finding the right lawyer for your case:
• How much experience with or knowledge about my kind of case do you have?
• Here is what I hope will happen – is this realistic?
• What are my legal options, and can you provide information on legal aid services if I need assistance?
• Will anyone else in your office handle an important part of my case, such as appearing in court, especially if I have legal aid certificates?
Before and during your first meeting to discuss your case under your Legal Aid Certificate, keep these tips in mind:
• Bring all of your court papers related to your legal issues.
• Prepare a list of questions to ask your lawyer, as finding the right lawyer is crucial for effective legal representation.
• Be ready to explain your legal issues clearly and limit the number of emails and phone calls you make. Remember, your Legal Aid Certificate allocates specific hours for each stage of your case, and the time spent on communications counts toward those hours, taking away from the time your lawyer could spend preparing your case.
• Bring along paper to jot down important information that your lawyer shares with you.
• If you do not understand something during your consultation, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Utilizing legal aid services effectively can make a significant difference in your case.
We're always ready to hear what you have to say about finding the right lawyer for your needs. If you have questions regarding legal aid certificates or our legal aid services, don't hesitate to call us at: (613) 519-4518.
150 Elgin Street 8th floor, Ottawa, ON K2P 1L4, Canada
*Please note that all in-person consultations at our office must be scheduled in advance. HCLS does not accommodate walk-ins.*
Mon | 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. | |
Tue | 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. | |
Wed | 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. | |
Thu | 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. | |
Fri | 09:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m. | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Meetings can be scheduled outside of regular business hours upon request and approval.
Disclaimer : Information which appears on this website is for general information only and does not create a solicitor-client relationship nor should it be construed as legal advice. If you require legal advice based upon your own particular situation, please speak to one of our lawyers.
Copyright © 2024-2026 Home Counsel Legal Services Professional Corporation - All Rights Reserved.
This website uses cookies for a range of purposes to help us understand your interests and improve the website. By using our website, you acknowledge the use of essential cookies and consent to the use of non-essential cookies, as described in our Cookie Policy. To understand more about how we use cookies or to change your preference and browser settings, please see our Cookie Policy.
By clicking on "Accept", you also acknowledge the Terms of Use of our website.