Are you in a tricky situation and unsure if you need a lawyer?
When in doubt, it is always best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible following an incident, even if you believe you won’t need one because the incident involved “a regular” customer or even a cousin who works for the business. You just never know a person’s motivation and resources.
There are law associations in most jurisdictions that offer legal assistance over the phone at a discounted price—often as little as $25 for a 30-minute consultation.
To get the most out of your 30 minutes, here are a few things to have prepared:
- Know what type of lawyer you need: there are lawyers who specialize in different areas; human rights, labour laws, real estate, etc. Do a little research beforehand to understand what kind of lawyer you need to request.
- Research your issue before calling. There is a lot of information on the internet that is just a search away. Educating yourself before your discussion will help you get the most out of it.
- Have your issue narrowed down to concise notes, and stick to facts rather than ‘he said, she said’ scenarios, and feelings (ie. what can I prove, what will they claim). 30 minutes may seem like a lot, but when you’re talking shop, it tends to go quickly.
- Don’t accept “legal advice” from anyone who isn’t a lawyer. Not only are they not educated/experienced in law (there is a reason there’s a whole school of education dedicated to this), but their advice isn’t insured. If you act on bad advice from a lawyer, it is insured.
To access the services of the law society/legal information association in your area, click on your province or territory below:
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