Ontario Legal Resources

This page is general information for people in Ontario. It is not legal advice, and Law HelpLine is not a law firm. Laws and deadlines change and every situation is different, so check your own facts with a licensed lawyer or paralegal.

These are official or well known public sources. We do not control them, and a link is not an endorsement of any lawyer or service. If you are in danger, call 911.

Find a lawyer or paralegal

Ontario government: Find a lawyer or paralegal: what lawyers and paralegals do, how to find one, what to do if you cannot afford one, and how to complain.
Law Society of Ontario: the regulator. Use its directory to check that a lawyer or paralegal is licensed.
Law Society Referral Service: a Law Society service that can refer you to a lawyer or paralegal. Phone 416-947-5255 or toll-free 1-855-947-5255.

Free or low cost help

Legal Aid Ontario: legal help for people who qualify financially.
How to apply for legal aid: application steps.
Pro Bono Ontario Free Legal Advice Hotline: free legal advice in some situations.
Steps to Justice: plain language legal information on common problems.

Family law

Family law services (Ontario): information on separation, parenting, support, free family mediation and Family Law Information Centres.
Dividing property when a marriage or common-law relationship ends: Ontario government overview.
Paying and receiving child and spousal support: Ontario government overview.

Work and money claims

Your guide to the Employment Standards Act: the Ontario government guide to minimum employment rules, including termination and severance.
Small Claims Court: suing someone: how Small Claims Court works and its $50,000 limit.

Courts and laws

Courts, justice and law (Ontario): the main Ontario government page for courts and legal services.
Limitations Act, 2002: the law that sets most time limits for starting a court claim.

Related: Legal questions and answers. Links on this page were copied from official Ontario government pages.