What Can the Clinic Do For You?

  

The Clinic provides free legal services to residents of Renfrew County who face economic limitations, it acts as a resource to groups that help lower income residents, participates in law reform, provides speakers and educational material on subjects relating to legal problems of lower income residents and provides legal advice over the phone when possible.

  

The Clinic Staff can help you with the following matters:

  

• Social Assistance (Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program)
• Landlord and Tenant (Tenants only)
• Employment Insurance
• Canada Pension Plan
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Claims
• Human Rights and Employment Rights
• Debtor/Creditor - Small Claims Court matters
• Criminal Injuries Compensation Board Claims
• General Legal Information
• Assist in Community Development

  

How Does the Legal Clinic differ from Legal Aid?

There is often confusion between legal aid and legal clinics. Legal aid and legal clinics are both funded by Legal Aid Ontario. They are both designed to ensure that low income people have access to justice by providing legal services that help people to access their rights under the law, even if they can't afford to hire a lawyer.

  

Legal Clinic:

The Legal Clinic provides help in areas of law not covered by Legal Aid.  The Legal Clinic's services are always free, though you are expected to pay for disbursements if you are able. For full services you must meet the Legal Clinic's Financial Eligibility Guidelines. Services are provided by the Clinic staff.

  

Legal Aid:

Legal Aid provides certificates which may be accepted by private bar lawyers who have agreed to do so.

  

• Areas of law for which a legal aid certificate may be given are:

             Criminal charges

             Family law

             Immigration and Refugee claims

             Mental Health hearings

             Some other matters. 

  

• Whether or not you receive a legal aid certificate usually depends on your income level and the area of law. Sometimes Legal Aid will ask you to sign a payment agreement or will place a lien on your home to pay back part or all of your legal fees.  

  

Legal Aid Client Service Centre

Call toll free to 1-800-668-8258 to make an application for legal aid.

Website: www.legalaid.on.ca