What is LAO’s involvement with community legal clinics?
LAO funds community legal clinics across the province, including specialty clinics. Community legal clinics are independent, non-profit organizations that are governed by local Boards of Directors, and receive funding from Legal Aid Ontario. Community legal clinics provide services to address the unique legal needs of low-income people and communities. The local board tries to match its services to meet the priority needs of the area it serves. Lawyers and legal workers provide information, legal advice, and represent people. In addition, clinics also can engage in test cases, public legal education, community organizing, and other law reform initiatives. Most community legal clinics serve specific geographic areas. Specialty clinics deal with either a specific area of law (ie. workers compensation, workers’ health and safety, etc.) or represent specific individuals (ie. seniors, disabled, urban Aboriginals). Some clinics also provide expertise in specialized areas of law relevant to c
