Simple! Anyone who is faced with a legal issue in Ontario can use the Centre’s services, whether in person or by telephone. There are no admissibility criteria.

Here’s how to use our services

 You can speak with a lawyer one of two ways:

• By booking an appointment online (le Centre d'information juridique de l'Ontario I the Ontario Legal Information Centre - GOrendezvous)
• By telephone: Call 1-844-343-7462. A lawyer will call you back within fourteen business days.

See contact information and hours

Yes! If the meeting does not exceed 30 minutes, you may ask any question you have.

Yes! You may come back as many times as you wish depending on your needs.

During your first meeting, the lawyer will provide you with relevant resources or documents to fill out, or refer you to organizations. You may want to come back to the Centre to discuss your next steps, for updates or to ask new questions.

The staff cannot predict or control how busy the Centre is but understands the importance of seeing a lawyer quickly. Therefore, we offer our services by telephone with or without an appointment

Please note that appointments can only be made on Wednesday evenings, between 5 pm and 6:30 pm.

See contact information and hours

The Centre offers general legal information that does not amount to legal advice. Here is the difference:

• Legal information: Explains the law, the procedures, the forms to fill out and the available options. This is what the Centre does.
• Legal advice: Applies the law to a specific situation and provides an opinion on the best course of action.

For legal advice, you must consult with a lawyer outside of the Centre.

► See the Infographics on Legal Information vs Legal Advice

Yes! The Centre can answer questions pertaining to any field of law.

Please note: The Centre has limited knowledge of certain specialized fields of law, such as:

• Appeals before the Supreme Court
• Bankruptcy
• Tax law
• Intellectual property

See the most popular fields of law

The Centre offers a wide range of services, such as:

• Offer legal information about Ontario law and federal laws
• Explain the steps of a civil action, forms to fill out and available options
• Refer you to organizations throughout de province
• Provide pamphlets, documentary and electronic resources and other legal information tools

The Centre can only provide general information. It cannot:

• Offer legal advice relating to something you should or shouldn’t do
• Act as your lawyer, represent you in court, file documents for you with the court
• Follow-up with another party for you
• Draft legal documents such as affidavits or give legal advice on the content of your documents
• Witness the signing of a separation agreement, a will, a power of attorney, a real estate transaction or a contract

To obtain such legal services, you must see a lawyer outside of the Centre.

The Centre can answer your questions for legal information, such as:

• I am a step-dad. Do I have to pay my ex spouse child support?
• How can I have my judgment enforced?
• I’ve been fired. How can I get my last paycheck?
• Can my landlord kick me out during the winter?
• I purchased items online. Can I get a refund?
• My neighbour’s dog bit me. What can I do?
• I want to appeal a decision. What are the steps?

The Centre cannot answer your requests for opinions or legal advice, such as:

• I want to stay in Canada. Can you help me fill out my refugee claim?
• Can I hire you as my lawyer to represent me in court?
• Can you be a witness for my will?
• Can you draft my affidavit?
• Can you recommend a good lawyer?
• What are my odds of winning?
• Can you give me legal advice on how to best manage my business?

To obtain legal advice, you must see a lawyer outside of the Centre.

Before you come to the Centre:

• Write down your questions
• Gather all your relevant documents, such as: judgment, contract, letter of discharge, etc.