Appeals Assistance Project

Project Description: The Advocates' Society, the Appeals Assistance Project is currently open to unrepresented litigants appearing before the Court of Appeal, Divisional Court (on appeal-related matters) and the Federal Court of Appeal. PBLO intends to expand this project to all Toronto courts hearing appeals.

To be eligible for the project, applicants must meet financial eligibility criteria based on median family income guidelines, be ineligible for legal aid, and present with a civil law matter with legal merit and a reasonable prospect of success. Clients are eligible to receive brief services or full representation, depending on the case. Applications for assistance are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Pro Bono Opportunities:
Pro bono opportunities exist to provide legal opinions respecting the merits of appeals as well as to assist litigants with written and oral submissions.

Volunteer Qualifications:
This project is primarily aimed at intermediate-senior associates and partners but so long as sufficient mentorship can be demonstrated, any lawyer can participate. Volunteers must be familiar with the rules governing the subject appeal and the areas of law it engages.