If you qualify for legal aid, you can generally be represented by a lawyer who works for the legal aid office. You can also choose a lawyer who works in private practice.
Choosing your lawyer
If you qualify for legal aid, you can usually choose the lawyer who will represent you. The legal aid office can provide a lawyer to represent you, or you can choose a lawyer who works in private practice.
Whether your lawyer works at the legal aid office or in private practice, legal aid will pay your lawyer’s fees. If you qualify for legal aid with payment of a fixed contribution, you must pay the contribution to the Commission des services juridiques (legal aid) not the lawyer directly.
Representation by the legal aid office
The legal aid office generally provides a lawyer to people who qualify for legal aid. A lawyer will be assigned to you based on availability and the type of case. Lawyers working in legal aid offices only represent people who qualify for legal aid.
Sometimes, the legal aid office can’t represent you, for example, if a lawyer at the legal aid office is already representing a person involved in your case, such as an ex-spouse, your child or another person involved in your court file.
In this situation, you can ask the legal aid office for a list of lawyers in private practice who accept legal aid cases. Some legal aid offices can provide this. You can also contact the Barreau du Québec’s referral services for help finding a lawyer.
Representation by a lawyer in private practice
The first step is to contact the private practice lawyer you have in mind to confirm they accept legal aid cases, as not all of them do.
Next, make an appointment with your legal aid office to obtain your certificate of eligibility for legal aid (sometimes called a “legal aid mandate”). Mention that you need the certificate for your lawyer and give them your lawyer’s name.
You must give the certificate to your lawyer. Sometimes the legal aid office will take care of sending it for you.
Your lawyer can help with the steps for obtaining the legal aid certificate.
Do you need a notary?Legal aid can also cover notary fees in certain cases. For more information, contact legal aid or the Chambre des notaires du Québec. |
To prepare for your legal aid appointment or for more information about legal aid, please see our Legal Aid web guide.
