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- or half-day session every 3 months.

 


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.

NOTE: Volunteer sessions are only available on weekdays. 
Free Legal Advice Hotline (Remote) - Volunteer Session Date Preference


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.
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.

Supreme Court of Canada Leave to Appeal Assistance Project

Summary

The Supreme Court of Canada Leave to Appeal Assistance Project is a matching program that assists self-represented individuals who are appealing or responding to an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. 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 Canada and in any area of Law (including criminal and family law).


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.