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Legal Aid Ontario will be closed on October 2
Please note that we will be closed on Monday, Oct. 2 to commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day. Offices and the call centre will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

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  • 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
    • Youth legal issues
    • Legal clinics
    • How to apply
    • Find a lawyer
      • Finding the right legal aid lawyer
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    • Contact us
  • For legal professionals
    • COVID-19: Ongoing list of supports for lawyers
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Starting April 14: live duty counsel legal advice for in-custody clients with upcoming court appearances, without legal representation for criminal matters

Published: April 9, 2020

As part of LAO’s continuing response to COVID‑19, LAO will provide live duty counsel legal advice for in-custody clients with upcoming court appearances and without legal representation for criminal matters, starting April 14, 2020.

In-custody clients calling the dedicated in custody line will be connected directly with a local duty counsel.

How it works

  • In-custody clients call LAO’s inmate line at 1‑866‑883‑9665 (TTY 1‑866‑641‑8867), the same line inmates use to apply for legal aid.
  • Clients without counsel and with a court date in the next four days will be transferred to duty counsel at the courthouse where their matter is to be heard.
  • Inmates may receive up to 20 minutes of legal advice per call (per provincial jail call time restriction).
  • Duty counsel financial eligibility test (DCFET) is not required.
  • Calls can be transferred to duty counsel Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.

We are continuing to work with corrections institutions to ensure that LAO clients can access our services during this time.

  • This form is feedback only.
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Call us toll free at 1‑800‑668‑8258 Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST) for help in over 300 languages.

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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