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COVID-19 updates
We’ve temporarily changed some of our services.

Legal Aid Ontario is moving!
Starting April 17, 2023, Legal Aid Ontario’s Provincial Office, Toronto Family Law Services Office, Criminal Senior Counsel Services Office, and Refugee Law Office will be located on the seventh floor of the Atrium on Bay.

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Legal Aid Ontario
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Français LAO Client Portal
Français LAO Client Portal
  • Services
    • Temporary service changes due to COVID-19
    • COVID-19 and the courts: Answers to frequently asked questions
    • Our services
    • Criminal legal issues
    • Domestic violence
    • Family legal issues
    • Mental health legal issues
    • Refugee and immigration legal issues
    • Legal clinics
    • How to apply
    • Find a lawyer
      • Finding the right legal aid lawyer
    • What do you think about our services?
    • Languages
  • For legal professionals
    • COVID-19: Ongoing list of supports for lawyers
    • LASA 2020 process updates for lawyers
    • Changes to policies and certificate coverage
    • Roster resources
      • Audit & Compliance
      • Billing
      • Case management
      • Forms library
      • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 policies
      • Legal Aid Online
      • LAO LAW
      • Minimum experience requirements
      • More resources
    • Do legal aid work
    • Mentoring
    • Test case funding
    • News for lawyers
    • B3 Newsletters
    • Contacts for lawyers
  • Corporate
    • About
      • By-laws
      • Our clients
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Board Advisory Committees
      • Sidney B. Linden Award
      • French Language Services
    • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020
      • LASA 2020 Rules and Policies
      • LASA 2020 glossary
    • Consultations
    • LAO Consultation Registry
    • Open Government
    • Reports
    • Publications
    • News
    • Social media
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ

Freedom of Information requests

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to operational changes as a result of COVID-19, LAO is accepting Freedom of Information requests electronically on a temporary basis. Email your request to fippa@lao.on.ca. The $5.00 application fee for personal information requests will not be collected at this time. We will make all efforts to process requests in a timely manner, however there may be delays or service interruptions. We appreciate your patience.

You have the right to ask Legal Aid Ontario for information, via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, no matter where you live or how old you are.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request is an official written request for information. Your rights to make this request are covered by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) (which provides individuals with the right to request personal information about themselves as well as general records) and the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 (LASA 2020) (which allows collection of personal information within the definition of FIPPA to help LAO fulfill its mandate).

As an independent government agency, Legal aid Ontario is committed to responding to FOI requests in as complete and timely a manner as possible.

Type of information you can request

You can request any record for information in any form, including:

  • print (such as letters or reports)
  • film (such as computer tape, microfilm or videotape)
  • electronic documents such as emails
  • sound recordings such as voicemail.

LAO cannot release:

  • case information you are requesting about another current or past LAO client
  • court records that deal with legal aid clients
  • records containing certain law enforcement information
  • records that could prejudice intergovernmental relations
  • personal information that could invade the privacy of an individual
  • certain records supplied in confidence by a third party
  • most labour relations records.

How to make a Freedom of Information request

  • Identify the information/records you want.
  • If you need help to determine whether the information you want is available under the FIPPA, contact LAO’s Freedom of Information coordinator.
  • Download and complete a Freedom of Information request form (or prepare a written letter providing sufficient information to identify the records you want).
  • Put your request in writing—and be specific about the information you want as well as the time period for which you are seeking records. The more details you provide, the easier it will be for an LAO employee to identify the information/records you are requesting.
  • Mail the completed form, along with the $5.00 application fee (if applicable) via a cheque or money order made out to LAO, for each request to:

    LAO’s Freedom of Information Coordinator
    Legal Aid Ontario
    20 Dundas St. W., suite 730
    Toronto, ON M5G 2H1

    Note: do not send cash with your application.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to operational changes as a result of COVID-19, LAO is accepting Freedom of Information requests electronically on a temporary basis. Email your request to fippa@lao.on.ca. The $5.00 application fee for personal information requests will not be collected at this time. We will make all efforts to process requests in a timely manner, however there may be delays or service interruptions. We appreciate your patience.

Fees

If your request is for access to general records other than your own personal information, the request will be considered under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and will require a $5.00 application fee for processing. This fee can be made via cheque or money order, made payable to Legal Aid Ontario.

Depending on your request, additional processing fees may be required. We will send you a fee estimate if your processing fees will be more than $25.00. When processing fees are over $100.00, a deposit may be required.

What happens next

You will receive a written response to your request within 30 days from the date of our receiving your request. We will notify you if we need more time than that.

Appeals

You can appeal LAO’s decision to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario within 30 days of receiving it. You will need to fill in and submit an appeal form (or a written letter) to the Information and Privacy Commissioner Registrar within 30 calendar days of receiving LAO’s decision.

Questions

Contact LAO’s Freedom of Information Coordinator:

Mail:

LAO’s Freedom of Information Coordinator
Legal Aid Ontario
40 Dundas St. W., Suite 200
Toronto, ON M5G 2H1

Email:

fippa@lao.on.ca

Get more information on making an FOI request to a public sector organization

  • This form is feedback only.
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Current wait time: The CLSC is currently closed.

Wait times: Monday is our busiest day. For faster service, try calling Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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