About Our Legal Clinic

Jane Finch Community Legal Services is one of a number of independent community legal clinics funded by Legal Aid Ontario. In 1998, the Legal Aid Services Act created Legal Aid Ontario, an independent non-profit corporation that took over the responsibility for the administration of Ontario’s legal aid services from its predecessor, the Ontario Legal Aid Plan. The Legal Aid Services Act specifically provides for the provision of services by community legal clinics, giving statutory recognition to the importance of this delivery model for poverty law services.

Jane Finch Community Legal Services was incorporated in 1981 and has consistently provided high quality legal services to the Jane Finch community. The Clinic provides free services in the areas of law that most affect low income individuals.

Three groups make up the structure of Jane Finch Community Legal Services. First, there are our clients whose legal rights and needs we attempt to defend. The second group is a volunteer Board of Directors who are elected by the members of the Clinic to manage the delivery of legal services to the community. The third group is the Clinic staff, who provides the legal services to the community. Our present staff is comprised of a Lawyer/Executive Director, two Staff Lawyers, two Community Legal Workers, an Office Manager, a Support Staff and a Receptionist/Intake Worker.

Mission Statement

Jane Finch Community Legal Services provides free, quality, unbiased legal services, including public legal education, law reform and community development to low income residents within the geographic boundaries of the organization.

Vision Statement

To be the focal point in the community in giving access to justice to those in need.