A Closer Look at Legal Aid in Ontario: Ensuring Access to Justice

1. Legal Aid in Ontario Unveiled: Ensuring Access to Justice

2. Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is a government program that offers help in both English and French for financially-eligible low-income Ontarians. While publicly funded, it is a non-profit and independent corporation that provides legal services in Ontario. It was formed under the Legal Aid Services Act in 1998 and has since become an integral part of a strong justice system.

3. LAO provides high-quality legal services in: • Criminal law • Family law • Refugee and immigration law • Mental health law

4. Who Is Eligible? For someone to qualify for legal aid in Ontario, they must have little to no money left after they have paid for basic necessities such as housing and food. Those on social assistance almost always qualify for legal aid too. Someone may also be eligible if they own a home or have some money in the bank.

5. The types of individuals who benefit from legal aid in Ontario are: • Victims of domestic violence • Individuals accused of a criminal offence • Refugees seeking Canadian immigration status • Single parents seeking child support from ex-partners • Individuals who identify as Inuit, Métis or First Nation • Immigrants facing deportation • Parents seeking support, custody, or access to children • Individuals experiencing addiction or mental health issues

6. When Can’t Legal Aid Ontario Help Someone? There are a few instances when LAO might not be able to help an individual. These include: • Having a legal problem for which help is not required • Having too many properties or too much money Let’s take a look at each of these in detail.

7. Having a Legal Problem for Which Help Is Not Required There are some instances where LAO cannot help. For instance, cases that might not be covered are a first-time shoplifting offence or a drinking & driving offence, unless the latter results in bodily harm. They primarily help with family law, criminal law, and immigration and refugee law.

8. Having Too Many Properties or Too Much Money Legal Aid Ontario cannot be used by individuals with too much money or property. To qualify for their services, the person must be living on a low income and have a type of legal issue with which they can help. Financial eligibility is based on three factors: • The family unit • The income of the family unit • The assets owned by the family unit

9. Does Legal Aid Pay for Everything? Depending on the financial situation of the individual, they might be asked to repay either a part or all of the legal fees. This is applicable in cases where the individual has assets such as property, such as a house. This is also applicable if the individual receives money as part of a judgement or settlement.

10. Why You Need to Hire a Legal Aid Lawyer in Brampton Legal Aid lawyers in Brampton dedicate themselves to providing professional legal counsel to those of modest means. So, any individual who may not be able to hire a lawyer while dealing with a legitimate child protection or family law case should hire one. They are professionals who work with clients of all backgrounds and socio-economic circumstances. Moreover, your legal aid lawyer in Brampton will also know how and what to argue to ensure you get the best possible outcome for your case.

11. To get help from Legal Aid Ontario, your legal issues need to be something that Legal Aid Ontario covers. Plus, you need to be financially eligible. For more information, get in touch with Harpreet Saini of Saini law. He is one of the top criminal defence lawyers in Brampton and can answer any questions you may have about Legal Aid Ontario and its procedures. Get in touch for a free consultation.