Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for Pro Bono Québec services, citizens or groups of citizens must meet the following criteria:

• If the applicant is eligible for Legal Aid or has other means of obtaining the legal services requested, the applicant is not eligible for Pro Bono Québec services. (Cases that fall under Section 69 of the Legal Aid Act do not qualify for Pro Bono Québec services.)
• Applicants must be financially unable, given the cost of defending their rights, to pay for legal services.
• Applicants must demonstrate that their case is exceptional, involves issues of public importance or that they could suffer permanent harm. Cases aimed at improving laws, the legal system or the Quebec, Canadian or international justice systems are also eligible.
• Applicants must show they cannot find a lawyer willing to handle the case.

Pro Bono Québec can refuse an application for free legal services if there does not appear to be any legal validity to the case, if it is evident the case has little chance of succeeding or if the anticipated costs far exceed the potential gains.

Also, Pro Bono Québec must receive applications for free legal services at least eight weeks before the date of any hearing or deadline in the case.