Forms library

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COVID-19

COVID-19: Early release of inmates
This request is limited to persons pursuing remedies for the early release for inmates during COVID‑19
Lawyer assisted inmate request for legal aid service form
FOR USE DURING COVID-19 DISRUPTIONS ONLY. This form can be used for potential Big Case Management (BCM) charges.
COVID-19 refugee authorization request form
Use this form to submit an authorization request for an additional 2 hours for RPD hearing preparation.

Accounts & billing

Court fees

Court fees waiver form
Use this form to have fees for family, civil and small claims court matters waived where it is anticipated court fees will be incurred. It is recommended that clients be asked to sign the fee waivers early on as the waiver cannot be applied retroactively.More information can be found on the website for the Ministry of the Attorney General.

Disbursements

Requests for the following types of disbursements (authorized, additional funds) can be submitted through Legal Aid Online using electronic document submission or LAOiFax process.

Discretion

In some cases, where exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated, a discretionary increase in payment of an account may be granted where an account has exceeded the tariff maximum for the certificate. If your account exceeds the tariff maximum, and you want to apply for discretion, attach the appropriate form when submitting the account:

Request for discretion: Criminal law
Request for discretion: Family law – Child Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA)
Request for discretion: Family law Decision-making responsibility, parenting time, contact, and support
Request for discretion: Refugee law
Request for discretion: General
Discretion – request for review
If you are dissatisfied with the settlement of your account, use this form to request a review. Requests for review should be made within 60 days of payment of the account.

Payment

Expedite payment of account request
Use this form to request consideration for the expedited payment of an account.

Travel Authorization

Travel Authorization Request Form
Use this form to request travel authorization on a certificate.

Application

Lawyer assisted application

Lawyer assisted application for adult criminal court proceedings
Only submit this form for adults facing criminal charges who are out of custody and are legally eligible for a certificate in section 2. This form cannot be used for potential Big Case Management (BCM charges).
Lawyer assisted application for youth criminal court proceedings
Only submit this form for youth facing criminal charges who are out of custody. This form cannot be used for potential Big Case Management (BCM charges).
Lawyer assisted application form for child protection proceedings
This form is reserved for use in cases where the applicant is a parent or caregiver in an active child protection proceeding. This form should not be used for relatives seeking to be added to the proceedings. All fields in this form must be completed.
Lawyer assisted application form for family law proceedings (domestic violence)
This form is reserved for use in cases where a family law client (“hereinafter “applicant”) is experiencing domestic violence. This form can be used for new applicants and/or existing clients of LAO All fields in this form must be completed.
Lawyer assisted application form for immigration and refugee proceedings
This form is reserved for applications for the following immigration and refugee law services:
- preparation of a Basis of Claim (BOC) forms
- appeals to the Refugee Appeals Division (RAD)
- applications for Judicial Review in Federal Court
For other immigration and refugee service types, clients must contact LAO. Do not use this form if the applicant is part of a case that is already covered by a legal aid certificate.
Lawyer assisted application for Judicial Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC) proceedings
Only submit this form for lawyer-assisted-application-for-adult-criminal-court-proceedings-ENs facing criminal charges who are out of custody and are legally eligible for a limited certificate as they are referred into Judicial Intensive Case Management Court (JICMC). This form cannot be used for regular certificate applications. Incorrect forms and those that do not meet the criteria will not be processed.
Lawyer assisted inmate request for legal aid service form: expedited habeas corpus certificate application for bail
- Only submit this form in situations where the client was ready to proceed with a bail hearing, but the hearing was adjourned due to court or Crown unavailability. If a full criminal defence certificate is requested, please also complete the Lawyer assisted inmate request for legal aid service form.
- To ensure timely processing, counsel should only submit the completed form with a brief opinion regarding the legal merits of the proposed habeas corpus application.

Case management and litigation

Assessment

These assessments will assist LAO’s Case Manager in setting a budget that will provide counsel with the resources required to deliver a high-quality and cost-effective defence.

Big Case Management (BCM)

BCM Appeal Budget Guideline
Application form for cases whose decisions are being appealed.
BCM Hearings Opinion Guideline
Application form can be used for any type of hearing, i.e. a preliminary hearing, sentencing hearing, dangerous offender hearing, etc.
BCM Trials Opinion Guidelines
Application form for cases that have gone to trial.

Complex Case Rate (CCR)

Complex Case Rate case eligibility application
The Complex Case Rate (CCR) roster membership offers eligible lawyers enhanced funding on particular types of cases.
Complex Case Rate (CCR) panel application
Membership on the Complex Case Rate roster is a prerequisite for a case to be considered eligible.

Expert forms

Application for enhanced expert rate
Complete this form to apply for an enhanced expert rate
Survey – Enhanced rate services
This survey must be completed at the conclusion of the expert’s services

Refugee and immigration

Judicial Review (JR) merit assessment
Lawyers must use this form to provide an opinion regarding the legal merits of a judicial review application.
Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) merit assessment
Lawyers must use this form to provide an opinion regarding the legal merits of a RAD application.
Refugee claim certificate authorizations request form
Immigration certificate authorizations request form

Change of information

Lawyer change of information form
Use this form if you are changing information only. Fill in only the information that you are changing. Leave the other sections blank.

Duty Counsel Program

Duty Counsel and Subsequent Representation Certification/Request

Mentoring

Second chair program

Mentor application form
For senior lawyers seeking a junior lawyer to act as second chair
Mentee application form
For junior lawyers seeking a mentor
Pre-approved mentor application form
For small to medium sized cases in various areas of law
Pre-approved mentor payment report

Roster

Application

Application for enrolment on roster
To be eligible for enrolment on the roster, you must meet the following criteria.
Eligibility checklist
In order to apply for roster membership, a roster applicant must complete the following checklist
Roster application: References
Please provide the names of THREE referees.
Request for Sub-Authorizations
Please submit a letter and curriculum vitae outlining your training and experience in the area of law for which you are requesting authorization. You can also complete this form outlining any training and experience you have in this area of law.

Request for authorization

Consent & Capacity
- Request for Authorization – Consent & Capacity Board Certificate Services
Criminal
- Request for Authorization – Criminal Certificate Services (General)
- Request for Authorization – ESM Certificate Services
Duty counsel
Family
- Request for Authorization – CYFSA Certificate Services
- Request for Authorization – Family Law Certificate Services
Indigenous
- Request for Authorization – Gladue Certificate Services
Refugee and immigration
- Request for Authorization – Refugee and Immigration Appeal Certificate Services
- Request for Authorization – Refugee and Immigration General Certificate Services

Release of information

Plea comprehension – Duty Counsel

Plea comprehension form
Mandatory form for use by all staff criminal duty counsel

Billing and payments

Resignation

Request for Resignation
If you wish to be removed from the Roster, or to remove certain authorizations to provide Legal Aid Services in a specified area of law, please complete this form and submit it to your local District Area Office.

Rowbotham

Consent and waiver to Legal Aid Ontario to release information
Upon receipt from the client of this form, LAO will release the client’s file to the Ministry of the Attorney General.
Acknowledgement from counsel authorising legal aid to release information
If the client is not available to sign a consent to release the file to a lawyer, then the lawyer can request that LAO release the file to the client’s counsel.

Senior Counsel Program

Family Senior Counsel (FSC) program referral form

Court Costs and Section 13 Recoveries

Assignment of Judgement for Costs
Use this form if your client has been awarded costs in a matter covered by a legal aid certificate and the costs are not payable directly to LAO. The form should be completed and submitted to Lawyer Services and Payments alongside the “Information about Court Costs Debtor” form.
Information about court costs debtor
Please complete this form if you are submitting an “Assignment of Judgment for Costs” form.

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