Does My Case Qualify?
Your case must have merit to qualify for legal aid. To decide whether or not your case has merit, Legal Aid Manitoba considers:
- Do you have a reasonable chance of success based on the information provided by you and your lawyer, if you have one?
- Is a court action necessary?
- Can some other agency or service help you solve your problem?
- Is your case a serious legal problem that reasonable people of modest means would pay a lawyer to handle?
Legal aid services may be available for types of cases that are not listed on this website.
Cases Not Covered
- Real estate transactions
- Property divisions
- Wills and estates
- Corporate or commercial matters
- Civil suits such as people suing each other
- Fee-generating cases
University of Manitoba Community Law Centre
The University of Manitoba Community Law Centre is located on the University of Manitoba campus. It has been part of LAM since 1972. The office primarily handles summary conviction offences. In addition, it may provide assistance for Highway Traffic Act offences, small claims cases that involve consumer problems and individual disputes with Manitoba Public Insurance.
The Centre is staffed by 50-100 second and third year law students who volunteer their time. Although students have primary responsibility for their file, they are supervised by a LAM staff lawyer. Members of the faculty and other Legal Aid staff are available to provide information or advice when matters require special expertise. The students operate under the authority of Section 21 of The Legal Professions Act and are registered with The Law Society of Manitoba.
The Centre provides an important training function. Students refine their interviewing techniques, issue identification, problem solving, and negotiation and litigation skills.
A Manitoba Law Foundation annual grant is the primary funding source.
It is a cost-effective service. With most of the labour donated, the cost per person assisted is less than $100.00.
Public Interest Law Centre
