Please Note: The NCLA Library is not open to members of the public, and library staff cannot answer legal questions of reference questions from members of the public.
The resources listed below are available to members of the public.
Legal Aid Advice Counsel
Family Law Information Centre (FLIC)
The Family Law Information Centres are located in courthouses throughout Ontario. They have Advice Lawyers who provide low income clients with free assistance and information on family law issues, family justice services, alternative forms of dispute resolution, local community resources and court processes.
In-Person Advice Counsel:
A Duty Counsel Lawyer is available, in-person, to speak to individuals confidentially on a first come, first service basis.
Hours: Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: lower level of the Cobourg Courthouse, at 860 William Street, Cobourg
Telephone: 905.372.3751 ext. 128
To apply for a Legal Aid Certificate please call: 1.800.668.8258
Virtual Advice Counsel (Zoom/Phone):
A Duty Counsel Lawyer, along with a Mediator, are available to speak to individuals confidentially on a first come, first serve basis.
Hours: Friday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Zoom Meeting ID: 872 1912 5122 | Or Call: +1 647-558-0588
Passcode: 32145456
Northumberland Community Legal Centre
The Northumberland Community Legal Centre (NCLC) provides free and confidential legal advice to the residents of Northumberland County. They provide information and advice on: Residential Tenancies, Income Maintenance (Ontario Works), Disability Issues (ODSP, CPP disability), Human Rights, Employment Issues, Employment Insurance and Consumer protection, and more. this centre is funded by Legal Aid Ontario and there is no charge for their legal services.
The Legal Centre
1005 Elgin Street West, Suite 301
The Fleming Building
Cobourg, ON K9A 5J4
Phone: 905.373.4464
Toll free: 1.800.850.7882
Law Society of Ontario Emergency Referral Service
The Law Society Referral Service (LSRS), known for the past 40 years as the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS), has been filling an important community need by connecting lawyers and people looking for assistance with a legal matter. This is a free public service for those looking for legal assistance. Provide your name, and phone number, and a local LRS member lawyer will contact you, and provide up to 30 minutes of free consultation.
Toll free Crisis Line: 1.855.947.5255
If you are unable to afford a lawyer because of low income, you may be eligible for Legal Aid. The Ontario system of legal assistance is administered by Legal Aid Ontario, an independent corporation controlled and financed by the Ontario Government.
Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Phone: 1-800-668-8258
Local Legal Aid: gendcfamcentraleast@lao.on.ca
Other Resources
This website provides free, practical, legal information by hundreds of organizations across Ontario. About Your Legal Rights is a project of CLEO.
Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO)
CLEO provides legal rights education and information in a variety of languages and formats to help people understand and exercise their legal rights.
Steps to Justice is a guide to information on common legal problems in family, housing, employment and other areas of law.
Legal Line has provided Canadians with free legal information and help since 1993.
The CanLII.org website provides access to court judgments from all Canadian courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, federal courts, and the courts in all Canada’s provinces and territories. This website also contains decisions from many tribunals nationally, as well as the consolidated statutes and regulations of every jurisdiction in Canada. In the last few years, they have added annual statutes Federally and for the provinces of New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Quebec.