5. Get legal help
Question & Answer
I can’t repay my payday loan. What should I do?If you didn’t repay your in time, the payday lender can sue you in Small Claims Court. If they do, you don’t need to hire a lawyer because you are allowed to represent yourself. But it’s a good idea to get legal help. Some of the places to look for a lawyer are:
Law Society of Ontario
The Law Society of Ontario has a Directory of all lawyers and paralegals licensed to practise law in Ontario. You can search the directory by name, city, or postal code.
Law Society Referral Service
The Law Society of Ontario has a Law Society Referral Service. This online service gives you the name of a lawyer or paralegal in your area who can talk to you for up to 30 minutes for free. You can ask for a professional who speaks your language, or a lawyer who accepts legal aid certificates.
JusticeNet
JusticeNet is a not-for-profit organization that helps people who do not qualify for Legal Aid to find legal help. JusticeNet has an online directory of lawyers, paralegals, and mediators who provide legal services at reduced rates to people who earn less than $59,000.
You must register and pay a $25 fee to use the directory. This fee may be returned to you if you don’t find a professional to work with.
Pro Bono Ontario
Pro Bono Ontario offers free or reduced cost legal services to help people who have non-family or non-criminal legal problems. Pro Bono Ontario has duty counsel lawyers in Ottawa and Toronto that provide free legal advice to people who are representing themselves at court. Sometimes duty counsel also represent people in court.
Pro Bono Ontario clients must be low-income to qualify and might have to meet other criteria to be eligible for help.
