Duty counsel services

What is duty counsel?
Duty counsel are private bar or Legal Aid Ontario staff lawyers who can give immediate, legal assistance to low-income people who appear in court without a lawyer.

Duty counsel services are available in every courthouse in Ontario, including more than 30 remote and fly-in locations. Duty counsel assist over 700,000 people a year.

If you have a criminal or family law issue, speak to duty counsel before your court appearance. Please note that duty counsel cannot assist with criminal trials.

Criminal duty counsel

Family duty counsel

Mental health duty counsel

Tenant duty counsel

Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)

The Family Law Information Centre offers free assistance and information related to family law issues. For further information, click here.

Family Law Information Centres have been established in most courts that deal with family law matters. Click here for a listing of the FLIC offices.