Supporting more self-represented people at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto

Published: November 2, 2026

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is pleased to announce it has partnered with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law to help more self-represented individuals navigate the court system.

As part of Lincoln Alexander Law’s applied learning approach, a new experiential learning initiative will provide 19 law students with the opportunity to work under the guidance of LAO staff at the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto.

The students will provide basic guidance to individuals without lawyers who may be navigating the criminal justice system for the first time. Under staff supervision, students will help self-represented individuals understand the next steps in their case, apply for legal aid and connect with community resources.

The program will expand the support available to self-represented individuals at the courthouse while providing students with practical experience in a court setting.

“We are pleased to partner with Lincoln Alexander School of Law on this initiative, which is one of the first of its kind in Ontario,” says Janet Budgell, vice president of LAO’s Court-Based Client Services. “Many people come to court without a lawyer and may not know where to turn for help. This program will help us connect more individuals with information, services and supports that can help them move their matters forward.”

Donna Young, founding dean of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law, says:

“Lincoln Alexander Law is proud to partner with LAO on this important initiative. Our Integrated Practice Curriculum connects academic study with hands-on learning throughout the JD, and opportunities like this deepen students’ understanding of the lived experiences and systemic barriers that shape access to justice. This connection between education, experience and public service is central to the law school we are building.”

The partnership reflects LAO’s ongoing commitment to improve access to justice through practical, collaborative solutions. It also provides students with an opportunity to gain firsthand experience supporting individuals as they navigate the justice system and to learn more about the role legal aid plays in serving communities.