The refugee claim process is complicated. It is a good idea to have a legal representative guide you through the refugee claim process. You are not required to have a legal representative, but they can help you do your best.
When should I get a legal representative?
Try to get a legal representative before starting your refugee claim or as soon as you can. Try to have one help you at your hearing.
What can a legal representative do?
- Let you know if you can make a refugee claim, and if it is a good idea for you
- Explain Convention Refugee and Person In Need of Protection and which parts apply to you
- Assist you with what to put in the BOC Form
- Tell you what evidence you need
- Send your evidence to the IRB-RPD
- Deal with the IRB-RPD (and the Minister if they are involved)
- Prepare you for your hearing and help you practise speaking
- Speak for you at your hearing
- Let you know if you need a Designated Representative
Who can represent me?
These people can represent (act for) you during your refugee claim:
- Lawyer
- Immigration consultant
- Notary public (in Quebec)
- Licensed paralegal (in Ontario)
Law Societies
You want to trust that your legal representative is guiding you well and giving you good advice. Check that they are a member of their professional organization.
Here is the link to the law society in your province:
Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Law Society of Prince Edward Island
- If you hire an immigration consultant, make sure they are a member of The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants.
- If you hire a paralegal in Ontario, check their record with the Law Society of Ontario.
- If you hire a notary in Quebec, check their record with the Chambre des notaires du Québec.
Representative without a fee
You are allowed to have someone you trust (such as a family member or friend) give you free help with your claim. This person is called a “representative without a fee.” But always try to get a legal representative.
How do I get a legal representative?
- Ask your settlement agency for names.
- Speak to a few different legal representatives to see if you like them. Read reviews about them.
- If you do not have money for legal help, ask Legal Aid or non-profit legal clinics for a free or low-cost representative.
Legal aid and legal clinics
Click on your province below to find what low-cost or free legal services may be available.
Legal aid
Contact Legal Aid BC (LABC) as soon as you can and apply for legal aid. You can apply anytime but try to do it before you send in your refugee claim.
Legal Aid BC has free lawyers for:
- Your refugee claim – from start to end
- Possibly your refugee appeal if you need one
- Legal advice and representation if you are detained
To apply:
Phone: 604-601-6076 or 1-888-601-6076 (no charge)
Suite 400 – 510 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8
When you apply, LABC will ask you questions to see if you qualify. They will look at how much money you have and how strong your refugee claim is. You may be asked to give them documents.
If you get legal aid, you can ask for a lawyer or tell them the name of a lawyer you want.
If you don’t get legal aid
If LABC says you do not qualify for help, you can appeal (ask for a review). Write a letter explaining why you disagree and send it to them as soon as you can. You can give them any documents you think will support your appeal.
If you still do not qualify, a settlement agency can refer you to legal clinics or other resources in your community.
Free Legal Advice Clinics
If you can’t get legal aid, you may apply for services at:
Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic
Phone: 778-372-6583
WhatsApp: 778-222-7568
Email: [email protected]
103 – 2610 Victoria Drive
Vancouver, BC V5N 4L2
UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
Phone: 604-822-5791
If you would like to talk for a half hour with an immigration lawyer, you may contact:
Access Pro Bono Society
Phone: 604-878-7400
Toll-free: 1-877-762-6664
Calgary
Get legal advice and help with your BOC Form at Calgary Legal Guidance.
After you send in your BOC, contact Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) to ask for a lawyer to represent you at your refugee hearing. You must send in your BOC first. When you apply, Legal Aid Alberta will ask questions to see if you qualify. They may ask you for documents. They will look at how much money you have and how strong your refugee claim is.
If Legal Aid Alberta decides not to help you because you do not qualify financially or they think your claim will not succeed, you can appeal (ask for a review). You may have to pay back all or part of the legal aid expenses.
Calgary Legal Guidance
100 – 840 – 7th Avenue SW
Phone: 403-234-9266
Legal Aid Alberta
Calgary Courts Centre (in person applications)
601 – 5 Street SW (main floor), Calgary
Toll-free: 1-866-845-3425 (phone applications)
Edmonton
Get legal advice about your BOC Form at Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC).
After you send in your BOC, contact Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) to ask for a lawyer to represent you at your refugee hearing. You must send in your BOC first. When you apply, Legal Aid Alberta will ask questions to see if you qualify. They will look at how much money you have and how strong your refugee claim is. They may ask you for documents.
If Legal Aid Alberta decides not to help you because you do not qualify financially or they think your claim will not succeed, you can appeal (ask for a review). You may have to pay back all or part of the legal aid expenses.
Edmonton Community Legal Centre
Telus House, South Tower, 2nd Floor
10020 100 Street
Phone: 780-702-1725
Legal Aid Alberta
Edmonton Law Courts Building (in person applications)
1A Sir Winston Churchill Square
(2nd & 4th Floors), Edmonton
Toll-free: 1-866-845-3425 (phone applications)
Contact CLASSIC Walk-in Advocacy Clinic in Saskatoon to apply for legal help with your BOC Form and for representation at your refugee hearing. They provide services to people with low incomes in Saskatoon. A lawyer will decide if you qualify.
CLASSIC Walk-in Advocacy Clinic
123 – 20th Street West
Saskatoon, SK S7M 0W7
Phone: 306-657-6100
Email: [email protected]
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan has Free Legal Clinics across the province (except Saskatoon). Call them to see if you qualify for an hour of free legal advice with a lawyer.
If you qualify, you can meet with the lawyer more than once. They do not help you complete your BOC Form or go to your hearing with you. But they may refer you to the Immigration and Refugee Panel Program for a lawyer who will.
1650 – 2002 Victoria Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 0R7
Phone: 306-569-3098
Toll-free: 1-855-833-7257
Fax: 306-569-2198
Email: [email protected]
Contact Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (Welcome Place) for help with your BOC Form and other forms for your refugee claim. Welcome Place can help you apply to Legal Aid Manitoba (LAM) for a lawyer to represent you at your refugee hearing. LAM will pay for a lawyer or an immigration consultant to work on your case.
You can also go to a private lawyer to apply for legal aid before you do your BOC Form or after you send it in.
If Legal Aid Manitoba says you don’t qualify, you can appeal (ask for a review). You may have to pay back all or part of the legal aid expenses.
Welcome Place, Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council
521 Bannatyne Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone: 204-977-1000
Call or walk in to make an appointment.
Legal Aid Manitoba
On-line legal aid application
Phone: 204-985-8500
Toll-free: 1-866-800-8056
Contact Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) as soon as you can and apply for legal aid. If you qualify, LAO will pay your legal fees and will give you names of lawyers to represent you. If LAO says you do not qualify, you can ask for a review of the decision. If you still do not qualify, there may be other legal clinics that can help you. A settlement worker can guide you to other resources in your community.
Legal Aid Ontario
Apply for legal aid by calling:
Phone: 416-979-1446
Toll-free: 1-800-668-8258 (press options 1+1+4+3+1)
Toronto – Refugee Law Office
20 Dundas Street West Suite 202
Toronto, ON M5G 2H1
Phone: 416-977-8111
Contact the Québec Legal Aid – Immigration Law Office or PRAIDA as soon as possible. If you qualify for legal aid, they will help you get a free lawyer to represent you. It should be possible to get a lawyer through Legal Aid in Québec. If you do not, you must do your own BOC Form and act for yourself at your hearing.
Québec Legal Aid – Immigration Law Office
Phone: 514-849-3671
425 Maisonneuve Boulevard West Suite 400
Montréal
PRAIDA
Phone: 514-484-7878
35, rue Port Royal Est,
Montréal
Open Monday–Friday, 9–5.
Call or email the New Brunswick Refugee Clinic for help before you start your refugee claim if you can. You might qualify for free legal representation.
New Brunswick Refugee Clinic
327 St George Street, Suite 204
Moncton, NB E1C 1W8
Phone: 506 204 5781
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 506 204 6117
Call the Halifax Refugee Clinic for help before you start your claim if you can. If you qualify financially, you can get free legal representation.
Halifax Refugee Clinic
5538 Macara Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 902 422 6736
To find a private lawyer in Prince Edward Island, go to:
Contact Legal Aid Newfoundland to see if you qualify for legal aid for your BOC Form and for representation at the refugee hearing. They will look at how much money you have and how strong your refugee claim is.
Apply online, by mail, fax, or in person at your local legal aid office. A lawyer will call you.
Go to Legal Aid Newfoundland to get the application and office locations.
If you don’t get legal aid, you can appeal (ask for a review).