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Legal Services Board of Nunavut
The Legal Services Board of Nunavut is comprised of a seven-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Territorial Minister of Justice and representing various stakeholders. We are responsible for providing legal aid services to Nunavut and its mandate, via the Legal Services Act, to:
who makes up our board
Annual Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nunavut Legal Aid (also known as the Legal Services Board of Nunavut “LSB”) provides lawyers to Nunavummiut who have legal problems and want help from a lawyer. We have criminal lawyers, family lawyers, and civil lawyers. We have clinics in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay, as well as court workers throughout our smaller communities.
Nunavut Legal Aid is also responsible for providing community legal education throughout the territory and developing programs related to legal education to reduce legal barriers for Nunavummiut.
To access Legal Aid, we require you to complete an application. If you are financially eligible and require a service we offer, you will likely be assigned a lawyer. You do not need to apply for Legal Aid to ask a question or call a lawyer from the RCMP detachment.
What is a Legal Aid Lawyer?
Lawyers at Legal Aid provide legal services to Nunavummiut. A lawyer will help guide you through the legal system and can help explain your options. A lawyer may go to a court date for you, they can argue your case in court, or they may help you negotiate a settlement. A lawyer is someone you can trust, and they are not allowed to talk to other people about your case except in a few situations.
Our staff lawyers are based in Nunavut at our three regional clinics. They also travel to communities on court circuits. Some lawyers we use are based in the south and come to Nunavut to provide assistance for circuits or complicated cases (commonly called “panel lawyers”). All our lawyers are licensed by the Law Society of Nunavut to practice law in Nunavut.
How much does a Legal Aid Lawyer Cost?
All lawyers provided by Legal Aid Nunavut are free of charge. Legal Aid is funded in part through the Government of Nunavut and Department of Justice.
In some circumstances, if you do not meet the financial eligibility, you may be offered a lawyer from Legal Aid if you make a financial contribution to your legal fees. This is called a “contribution agreement”. The decision to offer you a contribution agreement is at the discretion of the CEO.
I speak Inuktitut, do you have interpreters?
Yes. Each office has court workers that speak Inuktitut. Our community court workers also speak Inuktitut. We understand the importance of being able to understand your lawyer and ask questions in Inuktitut. Our court workers will be able to interpret for you during meetings with a lawyer and can help you ask your lawyer questions. If you go to court, you can also request an interpreter.
Can I call a regional clinic and talk to a lawyer if I have a general legal question?
Yes. Legal Aid lawyers are allowed to give general legal advice about general legal questions. If you have a question, you can call one of the regional clinic and a lawyer will be able to speak with you.
If you have a question about your personal situation, you will need to apply for Legal Aid.
How do I apply for Legal Aid?
You can apply for Legal Aid in person at one of our clinics or by calling your local regional clinic.
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Who do I talk to if there is no court worker in my community?
If we do not have a court worker in your community, you can call your local regional office:
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I am related to a court worker in one of your offices, what should I do?
If you are related to one of our court workers in our offices or communities, please let us know when you apply for legal aid. We will ensure your application and file are not shared with that individual. If you have concerns, you can contact the legal aid clinic in one of the other regions and they will be happy to help you.
What documents do I need for my application?
You will need to provide two (2) pieces of valid ID, one which must be photo ID, and your income information:
1. Valid ID includes an Identification Card, driver’s license, passport, NTI or other Indigenous identification card, health card, or a birth certificate.
2. Income information includes at least two recent paystubs or social benefits deposits (EI, social assistance, disability). We may ask for your last two Notices of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency. You may be asked to provide more information about your income if we have any questions.
Why does Legal Aid ask about the number of members in my household?
We use this information to decide if you are eligible for legal aid. The number of people in your household (all people living in the same house) and your personal gross income will affect your eligibility to received legal aid.
How do I send document for my application to Legal Aid?
If you are applying for legal aid and need to send us documents, you should contact the regional clinic where you applied and ask how to get your documents to us.
I do not live in Nunavut. Can I apply for legal aid in Nunavut?
Normally, you need to be a resident of Nunavut to be eligible for legal aid.
If you have a court matter in Nunavut but do not live in Nunavut, you may still be eligible if:
• You have significant ties to Nunavut including being born or raised in
• If you think you should qualify for Legal Aid, we recommend that you apply and explain why you should be eligible on your application. The decision to waive the residency requirement is at the discretion of our CEO.
Can I apply for Legal Aid if I have criminal charges in another province?
Unfortunately, our lawyers can only help you if your criminal charges are in Nunavut. You will need to apply for legal aid in the province where your charges are from.
You can also contact the Law Society of Nunavut to find a lawyer who is allowed to practice in other provinces and who is used to helping clients from Nunavut.
My contact information and/or income information has changed since I applied. What should I
do?
It is important to keep us updated if your contact information changes (phone number, email address, residential address, mailing address) or if your income information changes (new employer, new salary, new job title). If you have a lawyer, please provide this information to your lawyer directly. If you do not have a lawyer, please contact your regional clinic to update your information.
I previously had a lawyer from Legal Aid. Do I need to apply again? Will I be given the same
lawyer?
Yes, you will need to do a new application for legal aid for each of your matters. You will need to do an application even if you are applying for the same type of lawyer (i.e. you had criminal charges in the past and were arrested again or you applied for child support and want to change the amount or you were abused by police in the past and were abused again).
We cannot guarantee that you will be given the same lawyer.
Where can I find a lawyer if I do not qualify for Legal Aid?
You will need to hire a lawyer yourself. We recommend you contact the Law Society of Nunavut for help finding a lawyer.
I was denied legal aid because I do not qualify. Is there anything I can do?
You can ask us to reconsider the denial of your application. You will be sent a letter with information on how to appeal our decision to deny your application. Please click here for information on how to appeal a denial.
My situation has changed, can I reapply for Legal Aid?
You are able to re-apply for legal aid at any time. It is helpful to explain in your application what has changed since you last applied and why you believe that you are eligible for legal aid now.
I have court tomorrow and I do not have a lawyer. What should I do?
You may talk to one of our lawyers at the courthouse when you go to court tomorrow. It is very important that you go to court if you have a court date, even if you do not have a lawyer yet. You will often be given a short amount of time to apply for legal aid or hire a lawyer yourself. We recommend you apply immediately after court.
I have been charged and want a lawyer. Can I apply for legal aid?
If you are in police custody, you will be given the chance to call Legal Aid from the RCMP detachment for free and a lawyer will explain your rights to you. You do not need to complete an application for this. It is your right to speak with a lawyer after arrest.
If you have been released or are in custody, you can apply for legal aid. If you financially qualify and you were charged with a crime we cover, we will provide you with a lawyer.
Someone I know has criminal charges, where should they call to speak with a lawyer?
You should have that person contact their regional office. They can speak with a lawyer, and they should apply for legal aid. If the person wants, you can help them make that phone call, or you can come into the clinic with them. We encourage clients to bring a support person if that will make them more comfortable with an unfamiliar situation.
My child was arrested, what can I do to help them?
You should have your child apply for legal aid. You can help them call our clinic or you can bring them to a clinic in person.
If your child is under 18, you are allowed to attend court with them, go to meeting with your child’s lawyer, and ask the lawyer any questions you have.
If your child is over 18, we can only speak to you about your child’s case if your child has given us permission to speak with you. If your child has not told us we can speak with you, our staff will not be able to give you any information about their court case.
I have a criminal record. Who can I contact to get help applying for a record suspension
(pardons)?
Currently, Legal Aid does not help with applying for a record suspension. The forms to apply fora record suspension are available from the Government of Canada. You can find more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/services/record-suspensions.html
I have family court issues. Can I apply for legal aid?
If you have children and are wanting to apply for child support or request decision-making responsibility and parenting time (custody and access), we can likely help if you meet our financial eligibility. We can also help with some divorces if you and your spouse have minor children or other qualifying concerns (i.e. spousal support).
Legal Aid does not provide lawyers to help you resolve only property issues (i.e. houses and bank accounts) or divorces where there are no minor children. If this applies to you, we recommend you contact the Law Society of Nunavut to get help finding a private lawyer. You can also find out more information on divorce here: https://www.nunavutcourts.ca/index.php/forms/category/145-divorce-forms
The Department of Family Services (Social Services) contacted me. Can I apply for legal aid?
Yes, we encourage anyone who has been contacted or visited by The Government of Nunavut’s Department of Family Services to apply for legal aid. For example, if you have been asked to sign a Plan of Care or Service Agreement, we recommend that you call Legal Aid to apply for and speak with a lawyer about your rights and what can happen if you sign such an agreement.
If your children have been removed from your home by Family Services, you are presumed to be eligible for legal aid. This means that a lawyer will help you right away, but you still need to complete an application. If you are not financially eligible, we will work with you to help you find
a new lawyer. Our priority is helping you and your children through your child welfare matter to make sure yours and your children’s rights are protected.
My child was given documents from the Department of Family Services. What happens next?
If your child is over 12 years old, your child has the right to participate in court. Family Services must serve them with the documents for your child welfare case.
Your child also has the right to have a lawyer if they want to participate in court. Legal Aid will provide your child with a lawyer. Your child will be able to talk to their lawyer about what they want, and the lawyer will attend court for your child.
I’m in an abusive relationship, what can Legal Aid do to help?
If you need urgent legal help with a family issue, call us right away or ask someone at a shelter to contact us with you. When you apply for legal aid, please tell the court worker that you are experiencing abuse as this may affect how quickly your application is processed.
We also recommend that you speak with a criminal lawyer.
I want to get an Emergency Protection Order (EPO), can I apply for legal aid?
Legal Aid does not provide lawyers to help people apply for an emergency protection order. You can get help from your local Community Justice Outreach Worker.
I have an EPO against me, can I apply for legal aid to argue it?
Legal Aid does not provide lawyers to help people respond to and argue that an emergency protection order is not needed. We recommend you speak with your local Community Justice Outreach Worker.
I want to make a will and/or power of attorney, where can I get help?
Legal Aid does not cover wills and powers of attorney for property and personal care. If you want to make a will, we recommend you contact the Law Society of Nunavut who will be able to help you find a lawyer.
A member of my family has died, and I was told to get a lawyer. Can I come to Legal Aid for
help?
Unfortunately, Legal Aid does not cover legal issues for estates. If you are looking for help dealing with the law after a family member has died, we suggest that you contact the Public Trustee: https://www.gov.nu.ca/en/department-justice/public-trustee-and-guardian
You can also contact the Law Society of Nunavut and ask for a list of lawyers who deal with estates.
I have been discriminated against. Can Legal Aid help me?
It is important to keep us updated if your contact information changes (phone number, email address, residential address, mailing address) or if your income information changes (new employer, new salary, new job title). If you have a lawyer, please provide this information to your lawyer directly. If you do not have a lawyer, please contact your regional clinic to update your information.
My question was not answered here. Who should I call?
Please contact your regional clinic and someone will be able to assist you.
