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. A legal representative can help you submit your claim, prepare your evidence and support you at your hearing.
When should I get a legal representative?
Try to get a legal representative before starting your refugee claim. If this is not possible, get one as soon as you can before your hearing is scheduled. That way you and your representative have lots of time to prepare.
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 the terms 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 to gather
- Review your evidence and send it to the IRB-RPD
- Communicate with the IRB-RPD (and the Minister if they are involved)
- Prepare you for your hearing and help you practise answering questions
- Support you at your hearing and help you present your claim to the IRB-RPD
- Explain your decision from the IRB-RPD and tell you what your next steps or options are
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)
Choose your legal representative carefully. Will they listen carefully to you? Will they make time for you? Do they always show up? Are they honest? Do they charge the right amount of money? If you are unsure, ask a trusted settlement worker about them.
Law Societies and Professional Organizations
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 Alberta
- Law Society British Columbia
- Law Society of Manitoba
- Law Society of New Brunswick
- Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
- Law Society of Ontario
- Law Society of Prince Edward Island
- Barreau du Quebec
- Law Society of Saskatchewan
If you hire an immigration consultant, make sure they are a member of The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Immigration consultants must be certified to practise before the IRB. You can check the Public Register to verify an immigration consultant’s status.
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.
After you send in your BOC, contact Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) to ask for a lawyer to represent you at your refugee hearing. When you apply, LAA will ask questions about your situation and how much money you have to see if you qualify. They may ask you for documents. If you are approved, you will still have to pay for your lawyer, but at a reduced rate.
If LAA 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.
To apply to LAA, call: 1-866-845-3425
There are some agencies in Calgary and Edmonton that may be able to help you complete your BOC Form.
Calgary
Get legal advice and help with your BOC Form at Calgary Legal Guidance.
Calgary Legal Guidance
100 – 840 – 7th Avenue SW
Phone: 403-234-9266
Edmonton
Get legal advice about your BOC Form at Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC).
Edmonton Community Legal Centre
Telus House, South Tower, 2nd Floor
10020 100 Street
Phone: 780-702-1725
Legal aid
Contact Legal Aid BC (LABC) as soon as you can and apply for legal aid.
Legal Aid BC has free lawyers for:
- Refugee claims – from start to end
- Some refugee appeals
- 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 either tell them the name of a lawyer you want or ask them to assign you any lawyer.
If you have questions or are having a hard time applying for legal aid you can ask for help from a Legal Aid Navigator. These are LABC staff members who help guide people through the legal aid process. To contact a Legal Aid Navigator call 1-866-577-2525.
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 by mail, email or fax as soon as you can. You must send this within 30 days of receiving the negative legal aid decision. You can include 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
Contact Legal Aid Manitoba (LAM) as soon as you can and apply for legal aid.
Legal Aid Manitoba
Information on how to apply
On-line legal aid application
Phone: 204-985-8511
Toll-free: 1-866-800-8056
If LAM says you don’t qualify, you can appeal (ask for a review).
You can also contact Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (Welcome Place) for help with your claim. They offer paralegal services.
Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council (Welcome Place)
521 Bannatyne Place
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Phone: 204-977-1000
Call or walk in to make an appointment.
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
Contact Legal Aid Newfoundland to see if you qualify for legal aid. A legal aid lawyer may be able to help you with your BOC Form and represent you at your 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. Go to Legal Aid Newfoundland to get the application and office locations.
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).
Call the Halifax Refugee Clinic for help before you start your claim if you can. If you qualify financially, you may be able to get free legal representation.
Halifax Refugee Clinic
5538 Macara Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 902 422 6736
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
Toronto – Refugee Law Office
20 Dundas Street West Suite 202
Toronto, ON M5G 2H1
Phone: 416-977-8111
To find a private lawyer in Prince Edward Island, go to:
Contact the Québec Legal Aid – Immigration Law Office as soon as possible. If you qualify for legal aid, they will help you get a free lawyer to represent you. Each region in Quebec has different legal aid offices. Find the full list and contact information. Apply for legal aid as soon as you can.
The wait times are very long for being assigned a lawyer through legal aid. Often, you will not be assigned a lawyer before the deadline to submit your BOC Form.
You can also contact a lawyer on your own who accepts legal aid mandates. If you contact a lawyer who accepts legal aid mandates, you can arrange for Legal Aid to cover the fees. Find the list of immigration lawyers who accept legal aid mandates.
Montreal Legal Aid – Immigration Law Office
Phone: 514-849-3671
425 Maisonneuve Boulevard West Suite 400
Montréal
If you need help finding a lawyer or you can also contact:
Phone: 514-484-7878
35, rue Port Royal Est,
Montréal
Open Monday–Friday, 9–5
The Refugee Centre – Legal Clinic
Phone: 514-846-0005
2107 Saint-Catherine St West #100
Montreal
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 income 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]