Program Overview
Community & Legal Aid Services Program Osgoode Hall Law School
The Community & Legal Aid Services Program at Osgoode Hall Law School provides legal services to individuals in need. The program offers assistance in various areas of law, including:
- Administrative Law
- Criminal Law
- Immigration Law
Specialty Clinics
The program also features specialty clinics that provide focused assistance in specific areas of law.
Eligibility Guidelines
To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Income: Applicants must meet the financial criteria set out by Legal Aid Ontario. Proof of income is required, although York University Students are exempt from financial eligibility criteria.
- Geographic: Applicants must live within the City of Toronto or have a case being heard in a Toronto courthouse.
- Legal matter: Applicants must have a legal issue that the program can assist with, as outlined on the Legal Services page.
Application Process
The application process involves the following steps:
Step 1: Initial Phone Interview
Applicants must call the program for an initial phone interview to determine eligibility. During this call, questions will be asked to understand the applicant's legal problem(s) and collect contact information.
Step 2: Phone Interview and Document Collection
If the applicant meets the general eligibility requirements, a phone interview will be scheduled to collect specific and detailed information about the case. The program also requires the following documents:
- Photo ID
- Proof of income (for all household members in some instances)
- Disclosure and Charge Screening Form (for criminal charges)
- In certain cases, other documents may be required (e.g., letters, forms, notices, etc.)
Step 3: Application Assessment
The program will assess the eligibility of the application, considering factors such as the nature and complexity of the legal issue, the stage of the proceeding, and the appropriateness of the case for a student clinic.
Response Period
After the intake interview and receipt of all required documents, the program will communicate a decision about whether the case can be accepted within 10 business days. If the program is unable to accept the case, information about other service providers who may be able to assist will be provided.