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Certificate Program

Legal aid is available through the certificate program. A legal aid certificate allows you to receive advice and representation from a private lawyer.

What kinds of cases are covered?

Below is a list of some of the cases that may be covered by legal aid certificates. This is not a complete list. Contact your local legal aid office about your specific case. All cases are subject to guidelines.

Criminal Matters

• If the offence is likely to result in jail time. For example, impaired driving causing bodily harm, robbery and drug trafficking.

Family Matters

• To help you get custody of your children.
• To help you with Children's Aid Society matters.
• To help you get access to your children.
• To apply for child or spousal support.

Immigration and Refugee Matters:

• Refugee Hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board
• Sponsorship and Deportation Appeals
• Detention Reviews

Other Civil Matters:

• Mental Health and Capacity Hearings and Appeals
• Prison Law Matters

How to apply

To apply for a certificate, contact a legal aid office in your area. If you qualify legally and financially, you can get a legal aid certificate to take to the lawyer of your choice who accepts legal aid.

If you go to a legal aid office, you should take as much information with you as possible as you will undergo an assessment. For example:

• Identification (driver's license or landed immigrant papers)
• Any document related to your case, such as court orders, separation agreements, etc.
• Proof of your current income, if you have any (pay stubs, social assistance cheque stubs or Employment Insurance statements)
• Proof of any savings or assets

Contact your local legal aid office for more information.

The Legal Aid Office for Halton is located at:

277 Lakeshore Rd. E. Suite 211
Oakville, ON L6J 6J3

Phone: 905-845-7591
Toll Free: 1-800-387-4088

www.legalaid.on.ca

Advice Lawyers

Clients can also receive assistance from the advice lawyer. This service is available at different times and locations in your community. Lawyers provide advice, assistance, and review documents.

You can meet with the Advice Lawyer in Burlington at the Ron Edwards Family YMCA, 500 Drury Lane, Burlington. Mondays between 7 pm to 9 pm.

You can meet with the Advice Lawyer in Oakville at the Salvation Army, 1225 Rebecca St., Oakville, Wednesdays between 7 pm and 9 pm.

Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)

Family Law Information Centres (FLIC) at all the Family Courts can help you get information and help with family law matters including separation and divorce.

You can get information about:

• understanding the court process
• court forms
• community services
• your general concerns

The Family Law Information Centre in Halton is located at the Milton Courthouse, 491 Steeles Avenue, Milton, Mondays to Fridays 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

Duty Counsel

Duty Counsel are lawyers assigned to courts to provide free assistance to accused persons who do not have a lawyer. Look for the duty counsel office at your local courthouse.

Criminal Court Duty Counsel

In criminal cases, duty counsel provide advice, obtain adjournments, and assist with bail hearings, diversions and guilty pleas.

Family Court Duty Counsel

In family courts, duty counsel can give advice, prepare and review documents, represent clients in some motions and hearings, and assist with settlement negotiations.

Criminal Law Office

Legal Aid Ontario's Criminal Law Office provides legal help to people facing a variety of criminal charges. It provides another option for people who do not already have a lawyer or are having difficulty finding a lawyer who will accept their case.

Staff at the Criminal Law Office are experienced in all criminal law matters including specialized service areas such as mental health and youth justice.

The nearest Criminal Law Office is located at in Brampton, ON. Call for more information: Telephone 905-874-0147 or 1-866-296-0646.