What is Legal Aid Ontario?
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is a service offered by the government that pays lawyers to represent people who can’t afford a lawyer. In order to qualify for legal aid, you have to apply and show that your income or assets are below a prescribed level. Also, the charge you are facing has to be serious or could pose serious consequences to you if you were convicted. If you are approved for legal aid, you will be given a “certificate” which you can take to a lawyer who has been approved by LAO to take on legal aid cases. Legal Aid will pay your lawyer when the work is completed. Depending on your financial situation, you may be asked by LAO to enter into a payment agreement with them, or to put a lien on your property. Lawyers cannot be required to take your case if it is a legal aid case. If your lawyer does take on your legal aid case, he or she is required to give you the same degree of commitment as to any other client. In Windsor, Legal Aid Ontario is located at 185 City Hall Square South
