Some Frequently Asked Questions…
YES. Paralegals can appear before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to represent a client or clients in an IRB hearing, and can provide legal services to clients for matters relating to an IRB hearing.
NO. A landlord cannot collect a damage deposit that they would use if there is damage done to the unit. Also, a landlord cannot use the last month’s rent deposit to cover damages in the unit. If the landlord finds that a tenant has damaged the unit or caused damage to the building, the landlord can give the tenant a notice and/or ask them to pay for the damages. If they do not, the landlord can apply to have the Board determine if there are damages and what should be done about them. For more information about the remedies available to a landlord, contact a licensed paralegal.
YES. Previously, co-op housing providers and their members had to go through the courts to resolve disputes, which was costly and time-consuming. They will now have an easier, cost-effective and accessible way to resolve disputes including persistent late payments, illegal behaviour, and intentional damage to property. Bill 14 amends the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, and the Co-operative Corporations Act to enable paralegals acting for co-ops, to apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board to resolve tenure disputes.
NO. Even a minor speeding ticket has more penalties than the fine listed on the ticket. Speeding tickets can affect your insurance rates and your ability to drive for years to come. Fighting the speeding ticket is the best way to keep your driving record clear, and your insurance rates low. We ensure that your ticket receives the individual attention it deserves to win your case, including obtaining the police officers notes (disclosure), and filing any legal motions. We investigate all legal procedures to have your traffic ticket dismissed.
You have been charged with a criminal offence. The Crown prosecutor can choose to proceed summarily or as an indictable offence. These offences are called dual offences or hybrid offences. The maximum penalty for a summary conviction offence is a sentence of 6 months of imprisonment, a fine of $5000 or both. We can help you decipher the laws, make appropriate choices regarding your options, request and review disclosure and appear in court for pleas or trials.
After being charged, you will receive a number of documents, including a Promise to Appear which includes your first court date, an Undertaking to Officer in Charge or Recognizance of Bail that includes conditions you are to follow while awaiting your trial. You should bring these documents and any other paperwork you received to your first meeting with us.
YES. A landlord can collect a rent deposit if it is requested on or before the day that the landlord and tenant enter into the tenancy agreement. The rent deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent or the rent for one rental period, whichever is less. For example, if rent payments are made weekly, the deposit cannot be more than one week’s rent; if rent payments are made monthly or bi-monthly, the deposit cannot be more than one month’s rent. The rent deposit must be used for the rent for the last month before the tenancy ends. It cannot be used for anything else, such as to pay for damages.
An employee can choose to sue an employer in a court of law for wrongful dismissal. However, an employee can’t sue an employer for wrongful dismissal and have a claim for termination or severance pay investigated by the ministry for the same termination or severance. The employee must choose one procedure or the other. Please refer to the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay and chapters of the Guide to the Employment Standards Act.
We will provide you with legal advice concerning your legal interests, rights or responsibilities with respect to the proceeding. We will draft, file and serve documents for use in a proceeding, such as a defence and defendant’s claim and we negotiate on your behalf.