Resources for Self-Represented Litigants

Step 1: Try to get legal advice

If you are thinking about bringing an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada or if you have been named as a respondent in an application for leave to appeal, it’s very important to try to get legal advice as a first step.  The Supreme Court of Canada only hears select cases.  It helps a lot to get advice on whether or not yours could be a case which the Court will hear.

Pro Bono Ontario operates a program that helps in this situation.  No matter what province you are in, you are strongly encouraged to apply for assistance by visiting the Pro Bono Ontario website.

Step 2:  If you are involved in an application for leave to appeal, refer to the links below for further information and resources 

Please note: Even if you wish to review the information and resources at the links below, you should not delay your efforts to get legal advice (see Step 1)

The links lead to information on what is expected of you, and instructions to be followed, if you bring your own application for leave to appeal or if you have been named as a respondent on an application for leave to appeal.

• Information and resources for self-represented litigants who may wish to apply for leave to appeal
• Information and resources for self-represented litigants who have been named as a respondent on an application for leave to appeal
• Sources of legal information on a variety of topics that is available to the general public 

Please note: Some of these sources also provide information on how you can find a lawyer or where you can get free or low-cost legal services.  However, you are encouraged to start with the pro bono program identified in Step 1 because it is specifically designed to provide legal advice about potential applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.