FAQs About LawHelpLive

Can't find the legal information that you need on lawhelpontario.org? Use LawHelpLive to speak live with a Coordinator and ask for help.

What is LawHelpLive?

LawHelpLive helps you find information about the pro bono legal services offered at Law Help Ontario. This information is designed to help people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, yet do not qualify for Legal Aid.

Unfortunately, the LawHelpLive system cannot provide you with legal advice and use of this service does not take the place of consulting with a lawyer.

To use the system, just type in your question. Your question is sent immediately to a LawHelpLive Coordinator who will start a "chat" with you to answer your question.

LawHelpLive is a project of Pro Bono Law Ontario, a charitable organization that helps people who need legal services--but cannot afford a lawyer and are not eligible for Legal Aid--to access "pro bono" (free) legal services.

When is LawHelpLive available?

LawHelpLive is currently available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Eastern time).

What types of questions can I ask?

LawHelpLive will help you find information on lawhelpontario.org or on other web resources. We will do our best to find resources to help you or give you a phone number where you can get more help.

We cannot give you legal advice, and we cannot tell you what to do to solve your legal problem. We can help you find information about the law and your legal rights.

Do not tell the coordinators anything that is confidential. You do not have a solicitor-client relationship with a LawHelpLive Coordinator.

The other side in your case may contact LawHelpLive for more information. If so, a LawHelpLive Coordinator will also give him or her information.

What does LawHelpLive cost?

LawHelpLive is free! We offer LawHelpLive as a service to lawhelpontario.org visitors.

How does LawHelpLive work?

LawHelpLive is convenient and easy to use. Just click on the "LawHelpLive" button. You do not need to download or install any software. You do need an Internet connection and one of the following Web browsers:

• For Windows: Internet Explorer 5.5 and 6.0, Firefox 1.0.7 and Netscape 4.7 and onwards
• For Apple Mac users: Internet Explorer 5.1, Netscape 4.7, Firefox 1.0.7 and Safari 1.0 v. 85 and onwards.

You must have Java / JavaScript enabled on your browser to use LawHelpLive.

What personal information do you ask for?

You don't need to give us any personal information to use LawHelpLive. However, if you leave a message when LawHelpLive is not available, you must give us an email address for us to answer your question.

LawHelpLive collects information, such as:

• information about the computer, browser, and Internet Service Provider that you use,
• the date and time when you visit, and
• the pages on lawhelpontario.org that you visit.

Also, you may give a LawHelpLive Coordinator information about you when using LawHelpLive. This information may include:

• your name,
• an e-mail address, or
• information about your legal problem.

Every chat is recorded by Timpani, the software that runs LawHelpLive. Timpani is owned by LivePerson. LivePerson has a privacy policy that tells you what information they collect and how it is used.

How do you use the information that you collect?

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to others. LawHelpLive staff may use the information:

• to train LawHelpLive coordinators,
• to evaluate LawHelpLive,
• to report on the project's success, and
• to perform other administrative tasks.

We will remove your name, e-mail address, and other information that someone could use to identify you before we use the information.

We will only use your e-mail address or telephone number to contact you if you have given us permission to contact you later.

Do you share the information you collect online?

No, we do not share any information about you unless we are required by law to share.

Are the chat sessions encrypted?

Yes, LivePerson uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to encode information as it goes between the lawhelpontario.org website and the website visitor.