Montreal Legal Aid
Legal aid helps promote access to justice for low-income individuals. As of January 1st 2014, the Centre communautaire juridique de Montréal (CCJM) has increased eligibility thresholds for free legal aid by 15.3%. Legal aid applicants may be eligible for a gratuitous or a contributory scheme.
In order to receive all services covered for free:
| Class of Applicant | Maximum Annual Income |
| For a single person | $16,306 |
| For one adult and one child | $19,948 |
| For one adult and 2 children or + | $21,296 |
| For spouses without children | $22,691 |
| For spouses with 1 child | $25,389 |
| For spouses with 2 children or + | $26,737 |
If your income exceeds the above amounts, you may be eligible for contributory legal aid:
| Class of Applicant | Maximum Annual Income |
| For a single person | $26,309 |
| For one adult and one child | $32,185 |
| For one adult and 2 children or + | $34,360 |
| For spouses without children | $36,616 |
| For spouses with 1 child | $40,965 |
| For spouses with 2 children or + | $43,141 |
In addition to your income, the CCJM also considers the value of your property and liquidities.
In criminal law, legal aid services cover indictable offences and any other offences if there is a probability of imprisonment, if there is a risk that the plaintiff will loose his or her means of livelihood or if it is in the interest of justice that legal aid be granted.
Did you know? If you are receiving social assistance under the last resort financial assistance program, you will be eligible for legal aid.
It is important to contact the legal aid office closest to you and bring all necessary documents attesting to your financial situation in order to confirm your eligibility. You cannot confirm eligibility over the phone or Internet.
For further information, you may visit the Centre communautaire juridique de Montréal website http://www.csj.qc.ca/sitecomm/W2007English/Main_En_v4.asp