Initial Information




Law Society Information


Your fee category. For more information, see http://www.lsuc.on.ca/For-Lawyers/About-Your-Licence/Fee-Categories/

Address Information





Volunteer Information









Experience Information
PBO offers a range of volunteering opportunities in various areas of law, some of which are  accessible across the province and some of which require in-person attendance at specific locations.

These questions will help us recommend projects to you on the next page.




Below are the projects that we recommend, based on your experience and preferred location. Select the project(s) you wish to volunteer with by marking their respective checkboxes. You can volunteer for more than one project at a time.
Free Legal Advice Hotline (Remote)

Summary

The Free Legal Advice Hotline provides free summary advice and legal assistance to low-income individuals across the province. Volunteers use state of the art technology including document generation, knowledge management, and machine-learning predictive software to help at-need Ontarians with their legal issues.

Consultations are approximately 30 minutes in length, and cover the following areas of law:
  • Civil Litigation (including Small Claims Court)
  • Consumer Protection
  • Corporate Law (including Non-profit and Charity Law)
  • Employment Law
  • Housing Law (including Residential Tenancy Law)
  • Powers of Attorney
Volunteers can choose the areas of law they assist with. Prior experience with the above areas is recommended but not mandatory.

Commitment


One full day session every 3 months.

 

PBO engages in routine quarterly scheduling for this program. When we start scheduling for a quarter, you will receive an e-mail asking for your preferred/unavailable dates or if you need to skip volunteering for the quarter. If you do not reply to the e-mail, we will book you for the session where we have the greatest need of a volunteer.

Free Legal Advice Hotline (Toronto) - Volunteer Session Date Preference

Please select two dates that you would prefer to have as your first volunteer session. We will contact you if those dates are not available.


Free Legal Advice Hotline (Ottawa)

Summary

The Free Legal Advice Hotline provides free summary advice and legal assistance to low-income individuals across the province. Volunteers use state of the art technology including document generation, knowledge management, and machine-learning predictive software to help at-need Ontarians with their legal issues.

Consultations are approximately 30 minutes in length, and cover the following areas of law:
  • Civil Litigation (including Small Claims Court)
  • Consumer Protection
  • Corporate Law (including Non-profit and Charity Law)
  • Employment Law
  • Housing Law (including Residential Tenancy Law)
  • Powers of Attorney
Volunteers can choose the areas of law they assist with. Prior experience with the above areas is recommended but not mandatory.


Location


161 Elgin Street, Room 5027

Ottawa, Ontario  K2P 2K1



Commitment


One full day session every 3 months.

 

PBO engages in routine quarterly scheduling for this program. When we start scheduling for a quarter, you will receive an e-mail asking for your preferred/unavailable dates or if you need to skip volunteering for the quarter. If you do not reply to the e-mail, we will book you for the session where we have the greatest need of a volunteer.

Court-Based Help Centre (Toronto Small Claims Court)

Summary

PBO's Court-Based Help Centres provide free summary advice and legal assistance to low-income self-represented individuals. This location assists with Small Claims Court matters and is located right beside the front desk of the Toronto Small Claims Court.

Consultations are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and are approximately 30 minutes in length. At the Help Centre, self-represented individuals also have access to form completion software, legal information guidebooks, and referrals to other organizations. On occasion, volunteers may also be asked to act as duty counsel and assist self-represented individuals at Small Claims Court motions, settlement conferences, and trials.


Location


47 Sheppard Avenue East, Room 305

Toronto, Ontario  M2N 5N1



Commitment


One full day session every 3 months.

 

PBO engages in routine quarterly scheduling for this program. When we start scheduling for a quarter, you will receive an e-mail asking for your preferred/unavailable dates or if you need to skip volunteering for the quarter. If you do not reply to the e-mail, we will book you for the session where we have the greatest need of a volunteer.

Court-Based Help Centre (David W. Scott Centre for Justice at the Ottawa Courthouse)

Summary

PBO's Court-Based Help Centres provide free summary advice and legal assistance to low-income self-represented individuals. This location assists with civil matters before the Superior Court of Justice and the Small Claims Court and is located right inside the Ottawa courthouse.

Consultations are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis and are approximately 30 minutes in length. At the Help Centre, self-represented individuals also have access to form completion software, legal information guidebooks, and referrals to other organizations. On occasion, volunteers may also be asked to act as duty counsel and assist self-represented individuals at Small Claims Court motions, settlement conferences, and trials.


Location


161 Elgin Street, Room 5027

Ottawa, Ontario  K2P 2K1



Commitment


One full day session every 3 months.

 

PBO engages in routine quarterly scheduling for this program. When we start scheduling for a quarter, you will receive an e-mail asking for your preferred/unavailable dates or if you need to skip volunteering for the quarter. If you do not reply to the e-mail, we will book you for the session where we have the greatest need of a volunteer.

Education Law Project

Summary

The Education Law Project provides free legal help for caregivers whose children face challenges to their rights in school related to accommodating special needs/disabilities; unfair expulsions, suspensions, exclusions, and transfers; being denied the right to attend school; and bulling/harassment. Volunteers help to:
  • Provide information and advice for caregivers
  • Represent students in their dealings with school administrators
  • Represent students at tribunals or hearings

Location

This project is not based in a particular location. Requests from students and their caregivers are made throughout Ontario.


Commitment

One matter per year.


ACSD Appeals Assistance Project

Summary

The ACSD Appeals Project is a PBO children's law program that matches families with pro bono counsel to argue appeals before the Social Benefits Tribunal to restore the families' Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD) benefits in cases where they have been cut off based solely on income, without considering the totality of the families' circumstances. These appeals help restore an important benefit that improves the lives of children with special needs.

Volunteers will be matched with a family to:
  • Prepare a notice of appeal based on precedent materials provided by PBO
  • Assist the family at a settlement meeting
  • Argue the family's case before the Social Justice Tribunal

Location

This project is not based in a particular location. Most referrals come through children's hospitals in Toronto, Hamilton, London, and Ottawa, but families may be from anywhere in Ontario.


Commitment

One matter per year.
Consumer Protection Matching Project

Summary

Far too many seniors and vulnerable Ontarians fall victims to door-to-door sales scams that leave them on the hook for products they do not want or cannot afford. Even worse, predatory sellers systematically securitize consumer debt by registering Notices of Security Interest against heaters, water filters and HVAC units, etc. These NOSIs are levers to extract monies from people who need to refinance their homes or sell their properties.

Volunteer lawyers are matched with clients seeking legal remedies before the Small Claims Court and Superior Court. PBO screens clients for eligibility prior to referral, and provides free CPD, knowledge management articles, and precedents. This program is ideal for litigators with at least one year’s experience.


Location

This project is not based in a particular location. Lawyers from across Ontario are needed for this program.


Commitment

3-5 cases per year, recognizing that this volume is manageable because the matters have significant similarities.
Canadian Legal Support for Ukrainians (CLSU) Hotline

Summary

The Canadian Legal Support for Ukrainians hotline provides free summary advice and legal assistance to Ukrainians arriving in Canada as the result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Volunteers at the hotline use state-of-the-art technology including document generation and knowledge management software to provide free summary advice and legal assistance. 

Ukrainians in Canada and abroad can call the hotline and speak to a Canadian lawyer about:
  • applying under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program
  • entering Canada
  • extending a stay in Canada
  • obtaining or extending a work permit or study permit
  • sponsoring family
  • remaining in Canada permanently
  • housing and tenancy issues, or
  • navigating the legal system during their resettlement in Canada
Prior experience with the above areas is recommended but not mandatory. 

Language

Conversational level of Ukrainian or Russian language is preferred.

Location

This project is a national hotline. It is not based in a particular location. The callers are from across Canada and abroad. Volunteers can assist remotely from their locations. 

Commitment

1-3 full day sessions (5 hours) every 3 months. 

PBO engages in routine quarterly scheduling. When we start scheduling for a quarter, you will receive an e-mail asking for your preferred/unavailable dates. 
Appeals Assistance Project

Summary

The Appeals Assistance Project is a matching program that assists self-represented individuals who are appealing or responding to an appeal before the Divisional Court or the Ontario Court of Appeal. Volunteers help review cases and assess whether an appeal has a reasonable chance of success; if so, volunteers then have the option of taking on the matter and assisting the client with the appeal on a pro bono basis.


Location

This project is not based in a particular location. Requests from self-represented individuals are made throughout Ontario.


Commitment

One to two merit assessments per year. Volunteers are not required to take on a set number of appeals.


You have not selected any projects to volunteer with. If this is in error, please scroll up and select the project(s) you wish to volunteer with. If you wish to simply keep your information on record with PBO and not join any particular project at the moment, please select the checkbox below.