How long does it take to get legal aid Ontario?
Asked by: Prof. Sanford Altenwerth PhD | Last update: November 12, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (50 votes)
How long after I send in my documents does it take to get a legal aid decision? It can take up to five business days after we receive your information. If your case is complicated, it might take longer.
How much does legal aid in Ontario pay?
Average Legal Aid Ontario hourly pay ranges from approximately $17.00 per hour for Diversity and Inclusion Manager to $19.00 per hour for Senior Counsel. Salary information comes from 1,042 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.
How do you qualify for legal aid in Ontario?
To qualify for legal aid in Ontario you must have little or no money left after you pay for basic necessities like food and housing. People on social assistance almost always qualify for legal aid.
Do you have to pay legal aid back in Ontario?
If you have available assets (funds that are sitting in the bank or other savings) or own property, you may qualify for a certificate with a contribution agreement. This means you will be required to repay LAO some or all of your legal fees, based on your asset level.
How to get 30 minute free legal advice in Ontario?
Pro Bono Law Ontario
Pro Bono offers a free legal advice hotline for up to 30 minutes of legal advice and assistance. The toll-free number is 1-855-255-7256. For more information, please visit https://www.probonoontario.org/hotline/.
Can you get Legal Aid for your case? Take the free Ontario "Legal Aid Test" to see if you qualify.
What cases are not covered by legal aid in Canada?
Legal Aid in Ontario covers criminal, family, mental health, benefits and immigration cases. They are not going to get involved in personal injury, liability, real estate, contract or employment law.
How can I pay for a lawyer with no money in Canada?
Finally, in virtually every location across Canada, there is a government funded Duty Counsel system available if you attend court without representation. Duty Counsel is funded by Legal Aid and assists unrepresented people with individual court appearances.
How long does it take to get legal aid in Ontario?
How long after I send in my documents does it take to get a legal aid decision? It can take up to five business days after we receive your information. If your case is complicated, it might take longer.
How much is a lawyer in Ontario?
Hourly rates of lawyers range from $300-$600 while law clerks charge lower rates from $150 to $250 per hour. Litigation is an expensive undertaking due to the time and effort spent on the case . The more complex the case, the higher the cost.
Can you get a free lawyer in Canada?
Duty counsel services. Duty counsel is legal assistance rendered without charge to unrepresented individuals who, in many cases, are about to make an appearance in court. Duty counsel services refer to services provided by a lawyer at a location other than a legal aid office, generally at court or a place of detention.
Who funds legal aid Ontario?
Financial sources and financial pressures
LAO receives funding from the Law Foundation of Ontario (LFO), which is used to support its operations. This funding source is highly variable because it is based on the prevailing interest rate and the amount of funds in Ontario lawyers' and paralegals' mixed trust accounts.
How much is a legal aid lawyer?
Legal aid offices are not-for-profit agencies that provide free legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. While many legal aid offices only help people with very low incomes, some offices have more flexible income rules.
How does legal aid get paid?
Additional sources of funding for legal aid include private foundations and donations, state funding often through state bar foundations, contracts and grants from federal, state and local government entities and cy pres awards.
Do you have to pay back legal aid in Ontario?
If you have an income or own property, you may qualify for a certificate with a contribution agreement. This means you will be required to repay LAO some or all of your legal fees, based on your income level. A contribution agreement outlines how much you will repay LAO.
How much do you need to make to qualify for legal aid in Ontario?
For this program, the financial threshold for a single applicant without dependents remains at $22,720 in gross annual income.
How does legal aid work in Ontario?
If you qualify, LAO will provide you with a certificate that covers the cost of a private lawyer who accepts legal aid work for a certain number of hours. You can bring this certificate to a lawyer, and they will represent you in court throughout your case.
Does legal aid in Ontario cover divorce?
Once a legal aid provides you with a legal aid certificate the certificate contains limited hours for a lawyer to provide you with representation. You should further note that Legal Aid Ontario does not fund legal aid lawyers for divorce applications.
What happens if you can't afford a lawyer?
When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.
How many hours does legal aid cover in Ontario?
Legal aid doesn't pay money per se; they issue a certificate that covers a set number of hours. The basic family certificate in Ontario is 20 hours (12 for the file, +4 and +4 for a restraining order, even if it isn't sought.
Who is eligible for legal aid in Canada?
An applicant whose net household income and assets are below set limits is financially eligible for legal aid. Intake workers assess an applicants' financial status to determine their net household income and assets. There are two maximum income levels: one for criminal and one for all other matters.
What happens if you can't afford a lawyer in Ontario?
You must apply for legal aid to get support with a legal issue in Ontario. LAO will decide whether or not to take you on as a client, depending on your legal issue and if you're financially eligible.
What is the most you can sue for in Canada?
Is there a limit on the amount I can sue for? In the Alberta Court of Justice Civil Division you can sue for an amount up to $100,000 plus interest and costs. This is the Court's monetary jurisdiction.
Is legal aid good for divorce?
Legal Aid Societies: Legal Aid organizations provide free legal services to individuals with limited financial resources. They often handle family law matters, including divorce.
How many people can't afford a lawyer?
"We said, 'More than 100 million Americans can't afford legal services. What can we do about it?' Thus, the idea for Legal Mapmaker was born." Legal Mapmaker is a new Baylor Law School program designed to prepare young lawyers to open law firms.