Concurrent refugee/immigration service coverage

LAO will fund, where there is merit, multiple refugee and/or immigration services at the same time, based on the recommendation of LAO staff experienced in refugee and immigration law.

How your clients can request concurrent coverage

Clients can contact the Client Service Centre (CSC) to apply for legal aid coverage for two concurrent refugee and/or immigration services. LAO staff will base their decision on whether:

• the failure to support both matters concurrently could deprive someone of a legal remedy for one matter
• the failure to pursue two matters concurrently could result in the loss of someone’s legal right(s) due to lack of clarity in the law(s)
• the chance of success in one matter significantly depends on concurrently pursuing another matter.

How you can request concurrent coverage

Lawyers with a certificate for one refugee and/or immigration service who are seeking concurrent coverage for another, or who are seeking coverage for two services for the same client, can fax:

• (where clients live in Ottawa:) the Ottawa District Office
• (all other clients:) the GTA District Office.