Sources of legal information available to the public
This page lists organizations and resources that can help you learn about the law and the legal system, as well as information on self-representation and links to legal services.
General legal information
The organizations listed below make legal information available to the general public for free. Many also provide advice and referral to professional lawyers.
National legal resources
- The Canadian Judicial Council
- Offers information on the Canadian judicial system, access to the Council’s publications on various topics and resources for filing a complaint
- About Canada’s System of Justice
- A resource from Canada’s Department of Justice that explains how laws work, where our legal system comes from and the judicial structure in Canada, among other topics
- CliquezJustice
- An initiative of the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Ontario that offers articles, videos and other resources on various legal topics that can be filtered by topic and province (available in French only)
Legal resources by province or territory
Alberta
- LawCentral Alberta
- A collection of legal information and educational resources for Albertans
- Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta
- Resources to help Albertans understand their rights and obligations under the law
British Columbia
- Clicklaw BC
- Provides legal information, education and resources to find local legal assistance
- Legal Help BC – Ask JES
- Legal information and guidance to access services, provided by University of British Columbia law students
- Legal Aid BC
- A provincial Crown corporation that provides legal information, advice and representation services
- Offers online resources on various legal topics for all British Columbians and needs-based representation services to people experiencing barriers to accessing the legal system
- People’s Law School
- A non-profit organization that provides education and plain language information to help people experiencing legal problems
- Resources include publications, events and presentations
Manitoba
- Community Legal Education Association
- A non-profit organization that provides educational publications, a large bank of frequently asked questions on legal topics and the Law Phone-In and Lawyer Referral Program
- Legal Help Centre
- Provides legal information, summary advice and referrals to helpful resources for low-income people in Winnipeg
New Brunswick
- Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick
- A non-profit organization that offers bilingual educational products and services about the law for the general public
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland
- A non-profit organization that offers a Lawyer Referral Service and Legal Information Line, plain language legal materials, legal information presentations and free legal clinics
Northwest Territories
- The Law Society of the Northwest Territories Legal Information for the Public
- Listing of legal information for the public, including links to workshops and lawyer referrals
- Does not provide legal advice or assistance to the public
Nova Scotia
- The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
- A non-profit organization that provides a legal information line and lawyer referral service, publications, question and answers, plain language legal information and pre-recorded legal information through their Dial-a-Law program
Nunavut
- Nunavut Legal Aid
- Organization responsible for providing legal aid services in Nunavut
- Resources on their website include legal education pamphlets and information hotlines for family, criminal and civil law
Ontario
- Community Legal Education Ontario
- A community legal clinic that offers public legal education booklets, pamphlets, fact sheets and manuals in multiple languages
- Topics include social assistance, landlord and tenant law, refugee and immigration law, workers’ rights, family law, elder abuse, consumer rights, women’s issues and laws affecting young people
- Steps to Justice
- Offers step-by-step information, practical tools and referral information for legal and social services across Ontario
- The program is led by Community Legal Education Ontario
- Your Legal Rights
- Lists legal information produced by non-profit organizations across Ontario, in a variety of formats and available in multiple languages
- The program is led by Community Legal Education Ontario
- Family Law Education for Women
- Provides legal education and outreach for women, with a focus on those who are isolated and vulnerable
- Offers plain language legal information on women’s rights under Ontario family law in 11 languages and in multiple formats
- Works with community agencies to offer materials for specific communities of women, including cultural, religious and disability-specific groups
- Ontario Justice Education Network
- Offers classroom resources and education packages available to download in English or French, as well as a selection of resources from their library for online learning
Prince Edward Island
- Community Legal Information Association of Prince Edward Island
- Provides understandable, useful information about PEI’s laws and justice system
- Services include an inquiry line, lawyer referral service, speaker’s bureau, a wide range of publications and plain language legal information on a variety of topics
Québec
- Éducaloi
- A non-profit organization working to inform Quebecers of their rights and obligations by providing legal information in everyday language
- Offers legal resources by topic, as well as several web guides, workshops and publications
Saskatchewan
- Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan
- A non-profit, non-government organization providing free legal information across a variety of platforms organized by topic
- Centre Info-Justice Saskatchewan
- An initiative of the Association des juristes d’expression française de la Saskatchewan that offers legal information and resources on various topics for the general public, as well as a directory of legal professionals in the province (available in French only)
Yukon
- Yukon Public Legal Education Association
- A non-profit organization providing legal information to the public and promoting increased access to the justice system
Representing yourself in court
- The Canadian Judicial Council’s Handbooks for Self-Represented Litigants
- Plain language guidance for people navigating the justice system without a lawyer
- Covers topics of civil law, family law and criminal law and offers information on preparing for a hearing, applicable rules and law and where to find free or low-cost legal help
Applications to the Supreme Court of Canada
- The Supreme Court Advocacy Institute
- Provides free, non-partisan advocacy advice to lawyers appearing in an appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada
- The Institute aims to assist the Bar, the Supreme Court of Canada and the public by promoting better advocacy to the Court
Pro bono legal services
Pro bono services are free legal services offered through lawyers’ associations to people with limited financial resources
- Pro Bono Law Alberta
- Pro Bono Law British Columbia
- Pro Bono Ontario
- Pro Bono Quebec
- Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan
For services in other provinces or territories, consult the Canadian Bar Association’s pro bono initiatives.
Legal aid services
Legal aid services are government-funded or subsidized legal services available for people who can’t afford a lawyer and who qualify for those services. Consult the Canadian Bar Association’s listing of legal aid contacts for each province and territory for more information.
Date modified: 2024-12-17