What is the difference between a certificate cancellation and a certificate termination?
| Certificate cancellation | Certificate termination | |
| What happens? | Your legal aid services will end | Your legal aid services will end |
| What does it mean? | Your certificate has been revoked | Your certificate is about to expire |
| When does it happen? | Can happen at any point after your certificate was issued | Happens three years after your certificate was issued |
| Why does it happen? | Happens because of changes to your financial or legal circumstances | Happens because your legal aid certificate is reaching its end date |
| How do I respond? | To prevent cancellation, you must initially contact Legal Aid Ontario to explain why you are still eligible for legal aid | To prevent termination, your lawyer must initially contact Legal Aid Ontario to explain why your certificate should be extended (only if your legal matter is unresolved) |
| When do I respond? | You must contact Legal Aid Ontario within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice | Your lawyer must contact Legal Aid Ontario at least 60 days before the end date of your certificate |
| Can I request a review of Legal Aid Ontario’s final decision? | Yes, you can contact Legal Aid Ontario to request a review of the decision to cancel or terminate your certificate | |