Legal Services
To make a general inquiry about our services, please email: legalclinic@headandhands.ca or call 514-237-8445.
We provide urgent access to legal consultations for youth (12-25) experiencing criminal law issues. To receive individual legal support, please book an appointment by filling out our client intake form.
*Due to high demand, our legal intake form is open every other week to give our team time to process requests.*
Our Vision
Head & Hands’ Legal Program envisions a world where legal systems are transparent, accessible; where everyone is equipped with the information they need to self-advocate in all areas of law, obtain a positive outcome, and collaborate in collective action.
Our Mission
Head & Hands’ Legal Program works to improve legal literacy amongst youth and their communities through workshops, our legal clinic, and one-on-one support. We educate young people about their rights, and the practical realities of those rights, to help them understand how to navigate inequitable and oppressive systems like policing, housing, courts, and immigration.
Our Services
Head & Hands is a youth-serving organization and therefore all our services are free for youth aged 12-25. If this does not apply to you, you may still submit a request, and we ask that you make a suggested donation of $5-$25 when receiving a consultation with a lawyer in our clinic. We currently accept donations via e-transfer and no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All donations will go towards the Head & Hands Emergency Legal Fund for Youth.
If you are under arrest or about to be interrogated by the police and urgently need a criminal lawyer, please contact the Barreau du Quebec’s “Emergency Lawyer” service at 514 954-3444. This service is available 24/7.
Legal Clinic
With the generous support of our volunteer lawyers, we currently run a virtual legal clinic on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. The clinic is open to folks of all ages. *Please note that our lawyers do not provide legal representation.*
Appointments are 15 or 30-minute telephone consultations with a lawyer in the following areas of law:
- Tenancy
- Employment
- Family
- Immigration
- Criminal
- Civil
- Succession
To book a consultation: Fill out our online request form
Individual Support and Referrals
We provide one-on-one support to help youth navigate legal situations by providing legal information and community referrals. This can include information on your rights at work, how to refuse a rent increase, or how to apply for legal aid. Our staff team can provide short or long-term support depending on the situation.
Commissioner of Oaths
We provide a Commissioner of Oaths service where a member of our legal team can witness signatures for documents that are required by law to be signed under oath. Examples of documents include:
Letter of authorization for travel
Document for name of sex designation changes
*Our Legal Clinic Coordinator, Charissa and Our Legal Outreach Coordinator, Joan are both commissioner of oaths and are able to administer oaths.*
Workshop
We facilitate interactive and educational workshops on topics such as:
Police Interactions
Renters'
Right
Workers' Right
Workshops can be delivered virtually or in-person to groups of all ages. They are free for youth aged 12-25 and by donation for others.
Our Team
Charissa
Legal Clinic Coordinator
legalclinic@headandhands.ca
The Legal Clinic Coordinator responds to requests submitted through the online form and ensures clients receive the appropriate legal services described above. They can provide legal information, schedule you a consultation with one of our volunteer lawyers, or refer you to additional resources according to your needs. They are also the first point of contact for lawyers interested in volunteering with the legal clinic, or for any questions related to the general operations of the clinic.
Joan
Legal Outreach Coordinator
The Legal Outreach Coordinator is responsible for external communications, community initiatives and partnerships. They seek to forge relationships and foster a collaborative network with community organizations, grassroots groups, legal professionals and anyone interested in legal matters in Montreal and beyond. They are the first point of contact for inquiries about partnership, workshop and event requests, as well as general inquiries regarding the legal program.
Please note that our staff team are not lawyers and therefore cannot provide legal advice.
Resources
Our team is happy to provide you with resources relevant to your situation and have also compiled the following resource documents for different areas of the law.
