Volunteer Lawyers:

LHO at Superior Court:
Civil Litigation (no family law)
Based at Superior Court of Justice Courthouse at 393 University Avenue in Toronto and 161 Elgin Street in Ottawa, this project provides a range of brief services to qualified unrepresented litigants with civil matters not covered by Legal Aid Ontario. Clients can access the centre as often as they need and during any phase of their matter.

The assistance provided falls into three streams:

1. General Information (civil litigation only, no family law)

• Access to non-case specific legal material such as tip sheets on various elements of the civil process or an internet-based chat line called LawHelpLive

2. Form Completion

• Assistance with document preparation on advanced, self-help oriented software

3. Brief advice and/or representation

• Summary advice focusing on legal issue spotting and merit assessment; and/or
• Representation at hearings and settlement conferences

This project operates from Monday to Friday. Two lawyers from the roster attend the Law Help Centre each day and see a number of walk-in clients. PBLO plans to expand this project by creating a roster of expert lawyers available by telephone to lawyers volunteering at the Law Help Centre; referring clients to lawyers who are prepared to offer "unbundled" services; and referring clients to mediators who are prepared to provide pro bono mediation services.

Pro Bono Opportunities:
Opportunities exist for lawyers to provide brief services to the walk-in clients of the Law Help Centre. Work includes form completion assistance, summary advice, and representation through correspondence with other parties or appearances in court. More experienced lawyers can also join the telephone roster to make their expertise available to counsel attending at the Law Help Centre.

PBLO is receptive to creative scheduling models. For example, a number of firms have agreed to provide volunteers on set days each month as opposed to having their lawyers scheduled by PBLO as individual roster lawyers. This scheduling model allows PBLO and the firms to mutually enjoy a strong a predictable commitment to the Centre. PBLO embraces but certainly doesn't require similar or other creative scheduling proposals.

The time commitment for this project is one full day per quarter (or two half days) from 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Volunteer Qualifications:
This project is primarily aimed at junior-intermediate lawyers but there are no experience-based restrictions. Completion of a CLE program and familiarity with the civil process including the Rules of Civil Procedure is required. The CLE program can be tailored to ensure it is as convenient as possible for volunteer lawyers.

The time commitment for this project is one full day per quarter (or two half days) from 9:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Ready to Volunteer Now? Click Here to apply online.

Just prior to your first day at Law Help, please review our training video available HERE. (This is a password-protected area, so please follow instructions to get access.)

Would you like more information first?

Send an email to lawhelpontario@pblo.org

ProbonoNet for Lawyers

This online tool provides information on malpractice insurance, upcoming pro bono training dates, an online library for case-related materials, news, and more. ProbonoNet for Lawyers is designed to assist you as a pro bono lawyer in Ontario.