Legal Aid/ What services are covered?
What services are covered?
Under An Act respecting legal aid and the provision of certain other legal services, legal aid will be granted for some types of services*, but not for others.
GRANTED
Family matters
Youth protection
Representing youth in criminal matters
Prosecution of a criminal act
Claims regarding benefits:
- social assistance;
- automobile insurance;
- unemployment insurance;
- workman’s compensation;
- etc.
GRANTED IN SOME CASES
In criminal matters, if the case satisfies the following conditions:
- probable prison sentence;
- loss of livelihood;
- in exceptional circumstances when it is in the interests of justice that legal aid be granted.
In administrative, civil and immigration matters, if the case satisfies the following conditions:
- threat to physical or psychological safety;
- threat to livelihood or ability to provide for basic needs;
- if freedom likely to be seriously restricted.
NEVER GRANTED
Specific cases:
- to the party initiating legal proceedings in a defamation or libel case;;
- in a case regarding an election, public consultation or referendum;
- for any motion based on Book V, Title VI, Chapter II of the Code of Civil Procedure (challenge to illegal occupation or exercise of an office);
- to the party initiating legal proceedings for a breach of promise of marriage or civil union;
- to the party initiating legal proceedings for damages for alienation of affection;
- defending a parking ticket.
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* Some applications will be refused on the basis of criteria established by the Act.