Legal Services, Advice and Information
Consumer Protection Ontario: Before, during or after consumers make a purchase, they can learn their rights and find the information to protect themselves.
Employment Standards: This useful government website sets out the minimum statutory rights of employees. Employees who have lost their job should contact the Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic to learn whether they have a claim greater than the statutory minimum.
Landlord’s Self-Help Centre (LSHC): Provides information, assistance and educational programs to Ontario’s small-scale landlords free of charge.
Call toll-free 1-800-730-3218.
Law Society Referral Service (LSRS): This internet service provides by email the name and number of a lawyer in your geographic area who practices in the area of law you require. The lawyer will provide a free half-hour legal consultation usually within three days. The lawyer is only available for advice, and will not write letters or complete forms.
Law Society Referral Service (LSRS) – Crisis Line: A special crisis phone number is available for those who are incarcerated, in hospital, in crisis (domestic abuse) situations, or under the age of 18.
Call toll free 1-855-947-5255
If you are a resident of Chatham-Kent and do not have internet service or email you can use the crisis line. Tell the operator you have been referred by the Chatham-Kent Legal Clinic.
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO)
Provides a range of services, primarily in the areas of Family, Criminal and Child Protection law. Financial criteria may be waived due to domestic violence in the relationship.
Duty Counsel Services are available for financially eligible clients at the Courthouse (425 Grand Ave West, Chatham).
For Family Law Service Centre, call 519-352-3518.
For Duty Counsel for Criminal, Family and Child Protection, call 519-352-4245.
Client Service Centre:
For Legal Aid certificates or for immediate phone advice, call 1-800-668-8258
Legal Clinics Across Ontario
This Legal Aid Ontario website directs people to a legal clinic based on their postal code.
Ontario Tenants Rights: An informational website for tenants.
Office of the Worker Advisor: Educates, advises and represents non-union workers who have been injured at work or who have been threatened or punished for following health and safety laws. An independent agency of the Ontario Ministry of Labour. Services are free and confidential.
Pro Bono Ontario (PBO): Lawyers assist low-income individuals in the areas of civil litigation, education, employment, housing, consumer debt and consumer protection, creating Powers of Attorney, and corporate law for charities, non-profits and small businesses. PBO does not handle family law, criminal, or bankruptcy matters.
Hours: M-F, between 9:30 and 11:30 am, and between 1:00 and 3:30 pm.
Call toll-free 1-855-255-7256.