In 1982, a group of community workers and residents of South Etobicoke formed a committee to seek funding for a legal aid clinic to serve the Lakeshore communities of Etobicoke (Mimico, New Toronto and Long Branch). After they recruited new members from other parts of South Etobicoke and agreed to serve a wider area, the Ontario Legal Aid Plan agreed to provide funding.
Since that time, the SECLS staff of lawyers, a community legal worker and support staff has been committed to providing free legal services to the residents of South Etobicoke. We are an independent organization that is accountable to our clients and our community. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from our community.
Since that time, the SECLS staff of lawyers, a community legal worker and support staff has been committed to providing free legal services to the residents of South Etobicoke. We are an independent organization that is accountable to our clients and our community. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from our community.
Services
South Etobicoke Community Legal Services (SECLS) is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to providing free legal services to low-income people in the South Etobicoke area of Toronto, Ontario. Our Mission is protecting and promoting the legal welfare of community members by offering services to the community through a network of volunteers and staff members, where language, financial hardship or disability will not act as barriers.
Lawyer-Director who provides casework, advice, and outreach services to clients, as well as working closely with and reporting to the clinic Board of Directors. He is also responsible for all aspects of clinic services. Staff lawyers carry out casework, conduct legal research, provide summary legal advice, and represent the clinic in the community through written work, public education, and in the media.
Our Clinic is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually from and by our Clinic members. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a member of our Clinic or in participating in any events or campaigns that our Clinic is involved with. If you would like to become a Clinic member or are interested in joining our Board of Directors please contact us.
All services are free to persons who qualify. Clients may be required to pay expenses associated with their case if they are able. The Board of Directors has established priorities for clinic work, especially representation at Courts and Tribunals. Family Law Referrals: We can refer people to Metro Toronto Family Law Services for free legal advice.
Contact us before you take action yourself! Before you file papers at the Landlord and Tenant Board or appeal the cut-off of a rent subsidy or do anything else - call us! It can be more difficult to help you if you have already taken steps before calling us. The Steps to Justice website offers step-by-step information about housing and other common legal problems.
Reviews (5)
Chas Chas
Oct 22, 2019
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Ammar Alamour
Aug 21, 2019
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Jackie Flood
Nov 04, 2017
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Chris Colangelo
Sep 21, 2015
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Jacqueline Neufeld
Nov 06, 2014
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In one word - amazing! One of our good friends who had a major language issue, was being bullied around by his money-grabbing, unscrupulous landlady who was determined to throw him and his possessions out on the street, as she had just sold the property but conveniently failed to disclose the fact that it still had tenants. It should be noted that he only speaks Russian, and is thoroughly unfamiliar with the landlord tenant laws in Canada. We had directed him to the South Etobicoke Legal Services and were provided with a top notch attorney who specializes in precisely these types of issues. Furthermore
