Free lawyer in Quebec: Get legal assistance without paying a cent!
In this article, we’ll explore the various resources available to those seeking a free or low-cost appointment with a lawyer in Canada, particularly in Quebec.
Legal Aid: Access to Justice for All
You can choose to contact a lawyer from Legal Aid’s emergency service at 1-800-842-2213. If you don’t have the number with you, the police will provide it to you or dial it for you. This service is available 24 hours a day, anywhere in Quebec: find out more.
To be eligible for legal aid, you must meet two criteria:
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- Financial eligibility: your income and assets must be below the legal aid threshold.
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- Service must be covered: Service is covered if you are charged with a criminal offence, but not automatically if you are charged with a summary conviction offence.
If you are eligible, the lawyer at the legal aid office that determines your eligibility can take charge of your case and represent you. You may also choose to be represented by a private lawyer of your choice, if he or she accepts legal aid mandates.
Free or Low-Cost Consultation Services
There are several free or low-cost legal consultation services available to those who do not qualify for legal aid. Here are just a few examples:
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- The Quebec Bar’s Info-Droit criminel telephone line: This service allows you to speak with a lawyer if you are not already represented by a lawyer and do not qualify for legal aid.
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- Centers de justice de proximité (CJP): CJPs enable you to speak with a lawyer, regardless of your income or the legal nature of the problem.
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- The Young Bar of Montreal: This service offers a number of free services, including help preparing for a hearing, legal advice for entrepreneurs starting a business, and information for young people aged 12 to 21.
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- Le Jeune Barreau de Québec: Offers a free 25-minute consultation service for Small Claims Court.
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- Mile End Legal Clinic: This clinic offers free information, advice and legal support to Montrealers with limited financial means who do not qualify for legal aid.
Reduced Price Referral Services
The Barreau de Montréal, the Barreau de Longueuil, the Barreau de Laval, the Barreau de l’Outaouais and the Barreau de Québec offer reduced-price referral services. This enables you to obtain the contact details of a lawyer in the field of practice you need, and to have a meeting with him or her at an attractive rate, e.g. $50 for the first half-hour.
University Legal Clinics
Many universities offer legal information through law students supervised by professors who are lawyers. Examples include Université de Montréal, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Université Laval, Université de Sherbrooke, McGill University, Concordia University and the University of Ottawa.
Consumer Associations and Insurance Companies
Some consumer associations offer free or low-cost legal assistance, as do many insurance companies (auto, home, employer-sponsored group plan, etc.).
Specialized organizations
There are also specialized organizations offering free or low-cost legal services to specific groups of people. For example, the Centre d’aide aux victimes d’actes criminels (CAVAC) helps people overcome the psychological and social consequences of a criminal act.