LAO Duty Counsel for In-Custody Client

  • April 14, 2020

In addition to the Temporary Billing Changes above for the bar as a whole, LAO will also provide live duty counsel legal advice for in-custody clients with upcoming court appearances and without legal representation for criminal matters starting April 14, 2020.

In-custody clients calling the dedicated in-custody line will be connected directly with a local duty counsel.

How it works

  • In-custody clients call LAO’s inmate line at 1-866-883-9665 (TTY 1-866-641-8867), the same line inmates use to apply for legal aid.
  • Clients without counsel and with a court date in the next four days will be transferred to duty counsel at the courthouse where their matter is to be heard.
  • Inmates may receive up to 20 minutes of legal advice per call (per provincial jail call time restriction).
  • Duty counsel financial eligibility test (DCFET) is not required.
  • Calls can be transferred to duty counsel Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.