Services in Ontario - Appeals and judicial review

LAO helps people with low incomes with some immigration and refugee problems. For example, you might be able to get help:

• if you’re detained for immigration reasons
• to complete a Basis of Claim form
• with your refugee hearing,
• to prepare an appeal or application for judicial review,
• with cessation or vacation hearings,
• to prepare for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)

To get help from LAO, you can:

• call their free telephone line that lets you talk to a lawyer for up to 20 minutes to get information and general advice
• apply for a legal aid certificate if you have a low income and if your legal issue is one that LAO covers
• contact one of the Refugee Law staff offices in Hamilton, Ottawa, and Toronto

JusticeNet helps people find a legal professional if their income is too high to get legal aid but too low to afford legal fees. If your net family income is less than $59,000, they refer you to an online directory of lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who provide help at reduced rates.  

JusticeNet is a non-profit organization. You must register and pay a $25 fee to use their website. They may return the fee if you don’t find a professional to work with.

The Ontario Legal Information Centre offers a free 30-minute meeting with a lawyer to anyone in Ontario by telephone or in person at their Ottawa office in any area of law in English or French. You may have to leave a message, and a lawyer will call you back.