Getting Legal Help
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| © Copyright 2011 - West End Legal Services | Home | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map |
| WEST END LEGAL SERVICES of OTTAWA |
| Serving Ottawa's west end since 1981 |
| These Web Pages provide general information only and cannot be relied upon as legal advice. Laws change over time. Applicability of the legal principles discussed may differ substantially in individual situations. You should seek legal assistance your particular situation. |
| 1301 Richmond Road Ottawa, ON K2B 7Y4 - 613.596.1641 |
| WELS is funded by Legal Aid Ontario |
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OUR OFFICE HOURS
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
8:30-12:00/closed
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
8:30-12:00/closed
8:30-12:00/1:00-4:30
 |
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Who Do We Help?
The clinic's services are available, free of charge, to individuals who meet the following three criteria.
1. Our financial guidelines as set out by Legal Aid Ontario.
You meet the financial guideline if your income is from Ontario Works or ODSP. In addition, you may meet the
guideline if your income is from CPP or WSIB. You may also meet the guideline if you have a minimal working income.
2. Live in our geographic area (the area west of Holland and Fisher Avenue and to the western limits of the City of
Ottawa). Click
here to view a map of the area we serve.
3. Your legal problem concerns an area of law we deal with. (See the navigation bar at the top of the page.)
You will be screened during your initial call to determine whether you meet the above criteria. If you do not meet one or
more of the criteria we are not able to help you. However, we can offer you a referral to an individual or organization
that may be able to assist you.
How Much Do Your Services Cost?
Our advice, information and services are free of charge to eligible individuals. If a client can afford to, we ask for
reimbursement for the clinic’s disbursements. Disbursements are payments the clinic must pay out on a client's behalf
and may include such things as doctor’s reports, interpreters and court filing fees.
How Do I Get Help?
Call our office. If your question is simple and straightforward (e.g. what is this year’s rent increase?) we can help you
immediately. In all other cases, you will be asked a number of general questions including:
Someone will return your call, probably later that same day.
Where Are You Located?
West End Legal Services is located at 1301 Richmond Road, in the Richmond Square strip mall, across from theLincoln Fields Mall. For more detailed information about getting to our office click here.
What Should I Bring to my First Appointment?
notice from your landlord, a letter from the government, or a decision by a
government agency.
For more information about what will happen during your first visit click here.
What if I do not Speak English or French?
If you speak a language other than English or French you should bring a friend or
relative who can translate for you.
Will Other People Know That I Have Come To You For Advice?
No. All dealings with our clients are kept strictly confidential.
Do You have Lawyers At Your Office?
Yes. We currently have four lawyers on staff, all of who are members of the Ontario bar.
Do You Prepare Affidavits and Statutory Declarations for Housing and Welfare?
Yes. Call to book an appointment. When you come for your appointment bring identification that includes your picture and your signature. You should also bring proof of your income. Your appointment, including preparation of the
affidavit or statutory declaration, will take approximately 30 minutes.
Where Else Can I Go For Legal Help?
The clinic's services are available, free of charge, to individuals who meet the following three criteria.
1. Our financial guidelines as set out by Legal Aid Ontario.
You meet the financial guideline if your income is from Ontario Works or ODSP. In addition, you may meet the
guideline if your income is from CPP or WSIB. You may also meet the guideline if you have a minimal working income.
2. Live in our geographic area (the area west of Holland and Fisher Avenue and to the western limits of the City of
Ottawa). Click
here to view a map of the area we serve.
3. Your legal problem concerns an area of law we deal with. (See the navigation bar at the top of the page.)
You will be screened during your initial call to determine whether you meet the above criteria. If you do not meet one or
more of the criteria we are not able to help you. However, we can offer you a referral to an individual or organization
that may be able to assist you.
How Much Do Your Services Cost?
Our advice, information and services are free of charge to eligible individuals. If a client can afford to, we ask for
reimbursement for the clinic’s disbursements. Disbursements are payments the clinic must pay out on a client's behalf
and may include such things as doctor’s reports, interpreters and court filing fees.
How Do I Get Help?
Call our office. If your question is simple and straightforward (e.g. what is this year’s rent increase?) we can help you
immediately. In all other cases, you will be asked a number of general questions including:
 | A brief description of your legal problem. | |
| Where you live. | |
| Your name. | |
| Your phone number. | |
| Your income. | |
| How you found out about our services. |
Someone will return your call, probably later that same day.
Where Are You Located?
West End Legal Services is located at 1301 Richmond Road, in the Richmond Square strip mall, across from the
What Should I Bring to my First Appointment?
| Proof of your income, e.g. pay stub. |
| Any documents you have that are related to your legal matter, e.g. a letter or |
government agency.
For more information about what will happen during your first visit click here.
What if I do not Speak English or French?
If you speak a language other than English or French you should bring a friend or
relative who can translate for you.
Will Other People Know That I Have Come To You For Advice?
No. All dealings with our clients are kept strictly confidential.
Do You have Lawyers At Your Office?
Yes. We currently have four lawyers on staff, all of who are members of the Ontario bar.
Do You Prepare Affidavits and Statutory Declarations for Housing and Welfare?
Yes. Call to book an appointment. When you come for your appointment bring identification that includes your picture
affidavit or statutory declaration, will take approximately 30 minutes.
Where Else Can I Go For Legal Help?
INTERPRETER
If you do not speak English or
French be sure to bring someone
to translate for you when you
come for your first appointment.
French be sure to bring someone
to translate for you when you
come for your first appointment.
Have a question about legal aid? Need legal
aid assistance?
Call Legal Aid Ontario toll-free at 1-800-668-
8258 and press 0 to speak to a representative
in your choice of 120 languages. TTY: 1-866-
641-8867”
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Best
time to call 8-10 am and 3-5pm)
aid assistance?
Call Legal Aid Ontario toll-free at 1-800-668-
8258 and press 0 to speak to a representative
in your choice of 120 languages. TTY: 1-866-
641-8867”
Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Best
time to call 8-10 am and 3-5pm)
Legal Aid Ontario
For assistance with Family Law matters go to
the Famiy Law Information Centre located at
the Ottawa Courthouse (161 Elgin).
You can get free information and help about
issues related to family matters, including
separation and divorce.
the Famiy Law Information Centre located at
the Ottawa Courthouse (161 Elgin).
You can get free information and help about
issues related to family matters, including
separation and divorce.
Family Law
There are many resources for obtaining legal assistance. If we are not able to help you at our clinic because you do
not meet our financial guidelines, live within our geographic area or need help in an area we do not work in then we
may be able to provide you with a referral.
In addition, there are a number of opportunities to meet with a duty counsel. To download a list of duty counsel click
here. Some of the things that duty counsel may be able to assist you with include:
not meet our financial guidelines, live within our geographic area or need help in an area we do not work in then we
may be able to provide you with a referral.
In addition, there are a number of opportunities to meet with a duty counsel. To download a list of duty counsel click
here. Some of the things that duty counsel may be able to assist you with include:
| Legal forms. | |
| Obtaining a birth certificate or a change of name. | |
| Notarial copies of documents such as a school transcript. | |
| Specific types of statutory declarations or affidavits for things such as OSAP or permission for a child to travel | |
| outside of Canada. | ||
| Immigration, including permanent residence cards. | |
You are buying your first home. You are drawing up a will or
you are starting a new business. You need a lawyer but you
are not sure how to find one. The Law Society's Lawyer
Referral Service (LRS) can help.
When you call the LRS, we will provide you with the name of a
lawyer who will provide a free consultation of up to 30 minutes
to help you determine your rights and options. You can
access the service by calling:
1-800-268-8326
you are starting a new business. You need a lawyer but you
are not sure how to find one. The Law Society's Lawyer
Referral Service (LRS) can help.
When you call the LRS, we will provide you with the name of a
lawyer who will provide a free consultation of up to 30 minutes
to help you determine your rights and options. You can
access the service by calling:
1-800-268-8326
The Ottawa Legal Clinics
Clinique juridique francophone de l'Est d'Ottawa
290 rue Dupuis
Ottawa, ON K1L 1A2
Telephone: (613) 744-2892
Community Legal Services Ottawa Centre
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 422
Ottawa, ON KlN 7B7
Telephone: (613) 241-7008
South Ottawa Community Legal Services
1355 Bank Street, Suite 406
Ottawa, ON KlG 8K7
Telephone: (613) 733-0140
University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic
17 Copernicus Street
Ottawa, ON KlN 7N9
Telephone: (613) 562-5600
West End Legal Services of Ottawa
1301 Richmond Road, Main Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K2B 7Y4
Telephone: (613) 596-1641
Clinique juridique francophone de l'Est d'Ottawa
290 rue Dupuis
Ottawa, ON K1L 1A2
Telephone: (613) 744-2892
Community Legal Services Ottawa Centre
1 Nicholas Street, Suite 422
Ottawa, ON KlN 7B7
Telephone: (613) 241-7008
South Ottawa Community Legal Services
1355 Bank Street, Suite 406
Ottawa, ON KlG 8K7
Telephone: (613) 733-0140
University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic
17 Copernicus Street
Ottawa, ON KlN 7N9
Telephone: (613) 562-5600
West End Legal Services of Ottawa
1301 Richmond Road, Main Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K2B 7Y4
Telephone: (613) 596-1641