Where to find legal advice
Since the Bank of Montreal has its legal fair starting today, I thought that this week I would offer, besides their interesting event, 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.
I wonder how many of you know that we have a Montreal Ombudsman office. It has been open for about four years, and 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.
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.
The Bar of Montreal Salon, Grande Place of the Complexe Desjardins, 150 Ste. Catherine St. W at Jeanne Mance. Dates: Tuesday April 17 to Friday April 20. Hours: 9:30 a,m, to 4:30 p.m. Phone: 514-866-9392. Address the rest of the year: 1 Notre Dame St. East, Suite 9.80. Each April for the past ten years, the public and community organizations that work in connection with the justice system have gathered together in April 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 about starting a company, writing a will, recouping money owed, etc. Last year there were over eight hundred consultations during these three days. 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. This year, since it is the tenth anniversary of the Salon and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Charter of Rights, they will be serving a celebratory cake on Tuesday morning. At 11 a.m. on Tuesday there will be a mock trial comparing crime sentencing between the 18th century and today. The same day at 12:30 p.m. there will be a debate featuring Julius Grey. www.barreaudemontreal.qc.ca
Montreal Ombudsman office, 275 Notre Dame St. E., Suite R100 at Gosford St. Phone: 514-872-8999. Hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., ombudsman@ville.montreal.qc.ca This 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 seven full time employees along with Johanne Savard, who is our very own ombudsman (or is that ombudswoman?).
McGill Legal Information Clinic, 3480 McTavish St., Room 107 at Sherbrooke St. Phone: 514-398-6792. Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and then 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from December to the second week in January, during Spring break and exam time). For the past thirty-three 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. Community groups can ask for a student to give a seminar on topics from tenants’ rights to family law, etc. www.mlic.mcgill.ca
Women’s Y of Montreal, 1355 Rene Levesque Blvd. West at Crescent St. Phone: 514-866-9941 ext. 293. Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., by appointment. You don’t have to be female to use this inexpensive ($5 for 30 minutes) service offering legal information. Income level is not a consideration either. There is a rotating group of about fifteen lawyers and two notaries Appointments are necessary.