COMMUNITY LEGAL AID

We represent clients in the following areas of legal practice

1. Housing: We assist tenants in the Windsor-Essex community that are facing eviction, maintenance & repair issues, and/or are experiencing circumstances which otherwise impede on their rights under the Residential Tenancies Act.

2. Criminal Law: We assist adults (18+) charged with summary conviction and some hybrid criminal offences that are prosecuted in Windsor.

3. Provincial Offences: We assist people accused of committing provincial offences that are prosecuted in Windsor. For example, we can assist with some alleged Highway Traffic Act and Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act violations. Please visit our website for a full listing of provincial offences that we may be able to assist with.

4. Small Claims: We assist people involved in civil lawsuits filed in Windsor. Matters are accepted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Review Counsel. To qualify for our services, there must be a power imbalance between you and the opposing party.

5. Employment Law: We assist people with matters involving employment standards, wrongful dismissal, and some Human Rights Code violations. Matters are accepted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Review Counsel.

6. Elder Law: We assist victims of elder abuse. We also prepare simple wills and power of attorney documents. Matters involving estates, wills, or beneficiary rights will be taken on a case-by case basis at the discretion of Review Counsel.

7. Family Law: We may be able to assist people with simple (joint) divorce applications, child custody, access, and support matters. Matters in this area of practice are accepted on a case-by case basis at the discretion of Review Counsel.

8. Academic and Non-Academic Integrity: We assist University of Windsor students facing academic and non-academic integrity appeals.

9. Commissioning and Notarization Services: We offer Commissioning and Notarization services by appointment only. For commissioning, affidavits must be prepared in English and printed before your appointment. Commissioning is available for a cash fee of $30 (each document) and notarizations are available for a cash fee of $40 (each copy).

As an Applicant, you will first contact our reception desk by either telephone or email. The receptionist will ask you general questions about your legal matter and financial qualifications. If you meet those general criteria, our receptionist will schedule you for an intake appointment with a law student.

Community Legal Aid also provides translation services, available to assist those client’s who English is not their first language.

Our workshops are conducted by law students. They provide general legal information on our areas of practice. Review Counsel is present to discuss any points of interest or concern in the follow up question and answer period. We are able to provide summary legal information at these sessions. Legal advice is not provided unless the individual retains our clinic.

We have Review Counsel who speaks conversational Arabic to facilitate these workshops, if necessary.

Individuals with particular issues or ongoing legal disputes are asked to contact our office and schedule an intake appointment. Upon meeting our eligibility criteria they are asked to sign a legal retainer for our clinic to act as their legal representative.

CLA is pleased to offer workshops on any of our practice areas that may pertain to your clients. For further information or to coordinate a workshop, please contact us at 519.253.7150 or by email at CLA@uwindsor.ca, use “PLE workshop” as the re: line.