Q1: Sometimes we wind up in legal hassles and need some legal information or advice and we may not have the money to hire a lawyer, do you have any help for us?
The Bar of Montreal has its legal fair starting on Monday April 12-18 so you could start there. Besides their interesting event, I have a couple of other suggestions about where to find free or almost free legal advice and legal help throughout the year. The law is very complicated for the average person to understand. There are times when you will need to sit down with someone to get some legal assistance to face decisions you may have to make. It might be anything from separation or divorce to a quarrel with a neighbor over your property to the setting up of a new home business or estate planning.
Q2: You mentioned the Bar of Montreal Legal Fair, what is that all about?
Each April for the past 13 years, at the Bar of Montreal Salon Visit Droit, the public and community organizations that work in connection with the justice system have gathered together to help the public better understand the legal system. Not only is the entrance Free, but the most popular activity is the Free legal consultations, where you are able to ask questions (over 100 lawyers help out) about starting a company, writing a will, recouping money owed, etc. Don’t forget to bring all the documents related to your problem. During the event there are mock trials, theatrical activities, quizzes and over thirty exhibitors to check out.
Location: The Bar of Montreal Salon Visit Droit, Grande Place of the Complexe Desjardins, 150 Ste. Catherine St. W at Jeanne Mance.
Dates: Mon April 12 to Thurs April 15
Hours: 10-5
Phone: 514-866-9392.
Address the rest of the year: 1 Notre Dame St. East, Suite 9.80.
www.barreaudemontreal.qc.ca
Q3: Since that happens only next week, what could we do the rest of the year if we needed inexpensive advice?
Lawyers are very expensive, but there are social agencies that make it possible for you to have time with legally educated people at very little cost. McGill University has had, for over three decades, a legal information clinic. Organizations like the Women’s YWCA have lawyers on hand during certain hours who can help you sort out your problems. You would be surprised, if you just took the time to ask around at other community agencies in your own neighborhood, what legal advice you could find at reasonable rates.
McGill Legal Information Clinic, For the past thirty-seven years, questions regarding your legal rights, ranging from leases to marriage contracts, human rights and immigration have been answered by law students. Remember – they can only give you referrals and legal information, not legal advice. They do not handle questions about criminal actions, taxes, or problems with builders or renovations. They refer you to the correct places for those. It may take up to 10 days for them to answer a question. Community groups can ask for a student to give a seminar on topics from tenants’ rights to family law, etc. No appointments are necessary.
Location: 3480 McTavish St., Room 107
Corner: Sherbrooke St.
Phone: 514-398-6792.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9-5 (closed from December to the second week in January, during Spring break and exam time. They will re-open on May 3rd).
www.mlic.mcgill.ca
You don’t have to be female to use the Women’s Y of Montreal’s legal clinic. It is inexpensive ($5 for 30 minutes) and the service offers legal information from the rotating group of about twelve lawyers and a notary. Income level is not a consideration either. Appointments are necessary.
Women’s Y of Montreal, 1355 Rene Levesque Blvd. West
Corner: Crescent St.
Phone: 514-866-9941 ext. 293
Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., by appointment
Q4: I understand that you have one more little-known piece of information about the city of Montreal, that could be of great use to many of us…
I wonder how many of you know that we have a Montreal Ombudsman office. It offers a friendly ear to help citizens with their rights involving city services, para-municipal organizations and city controlled corporations. Your own borough is the first place you should be going to for your problems, since the Ombudsman is the place of last resort
Montreal Ombudsman office is the guardian of our Montreal Charter of Rights and Responsibilities, which has been around since January 1, 2006. The charter states in writing the principles that guide our actions in the city. If your own borough fails you in your quest to solve a problem, this office is your last resort. There are six full time employees along with Johanne Savard, who is our very own ombudsman (or is that ombudswoman?).
Location: 275 Notre Dame St. E., Suite R100
Corner: at Gosford St.
Phone: 514-872-8999.
Hours: Monday to Friday 8 – 5
www.ombudsman@ville.montreal.qc.ca
