Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC) Legal Aid helps low-income persons, with certain legal matters.
NALSC Legal Aid have authority to issue Legal Aid Certificates to qualifying Community members from the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) First Nations communities in Northern Ontario.
The Legal Aid Program from NALSC can assist with legal matters on:
- Criminal Law (if custody is probable)
- Family Law
- Child Welfare
- some administrative law issues
NALSC Legal Aid cannot assist with legal matters related to civil law, employment law, human rights, housing or social assistance.
You can contact a Community Legal Worker (CLW) for a referral and to apply for Legal Aid Certificate.
The services provided by CWLs include:
- Providing legal information and referrals to members of NAN communities.
- Liaising with justice personnel and First Nation leadership on court and justice issues.
- Completing legal aid applications with clients and help them find lawyers.
- Helping clients navigate legal processes.
- Attending advance and list court days in NAN communities.
- Assisting clients in completing routine forms.
- Making referrals to NALSC Programs
The Advice Lawyer provides brief service or short summary legal advice to qualifying NAN Community members with qualifying legal issues.
Advice Lawyers are available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.
NALSC Legal Aid provides Duty Counsel on the day before court day (Advance Day) and on the Court Day – to assist people who appear in Court without a lawyer.
Duty Counsel can assist people in the community, by providing Summary Legal Advice on legal issues, without a fee. Duty Counsel can assist with Legal & Government Forms
There is more information regarding Legal Aid on NALSC’s website.
