Legal Information, Resources, and Assistance for the Public

Find Options for Legal Assistance and Advice

Lawyers and legal service organizations are best qualified to assist someone experiencing a legal issue as they have specialized knowledge and experience to navigate the legal system. Options exist for those who can and cannot afford legal assistance.

Find Legal Assistance Tool

The Law Society of Saskatchewan’s Find Legal Assistance tool provides an easily searchable directory of lawyers licensed to practice law in Saskatchewan. The tool includes the ability to search by lawyer name, firm/organization, gender, location, language spoken, area of law, service model, and pricing/payment model. Information is also provided on finding legal assistance, common questions, and legal fees. Learn more tips for searching the database here. 

• Limited Scope Legal Services & Legal Coaching:  Some lawyers provide limited scope legal services. This is where a lawyer is hired to handle only part of a person’s case or for a specific task. Additionally, some lawyers offer legal coaching, a type of service where a lawyer helps someone with strategies and tools to present their case as effectively as possible. Limited scope legal services can be a more affordable option because the client decides with the lawyer what services they will pay for. Learn more here.

For those Unable to Afford Legal Assistance 

Those unable to afford legal assistance may contact Legal Aid Saskatchewan, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, or Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City (CLASSIC) to determine their eligibility for free legal assistance.  Limited scope legal services or legal coaching, described above, are also an option.

• Legal Aid Commission of Saskatchewan: 
  • An individual with a legal issue who cannot afford a lawyer should begin by determining if they are eligible for legal aid. The Legal Aid Commission of Saskatchewan provides free legal advice and full representation to low-income individuals who cannot afford a lawyer. Eligibility is subject to a financial test. Individuals on social assistance, disability assistance, or band assistance, are usually eligible. Legal Aid provides advice and representation for most family and criminal law matters. (Apply Online, 1-800-667-3764 or 306-933-5300) 

• Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan:
  • Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan provides free legal advice and representation for all legal issues for people who do not qualify for Legal Aid but are not able to afford a lawyer without financial hardship. Eligibility is subject to a financial test. Volunteer lawyers offer free legal advice through province-wide legal clinics or legal representation through panel programs. Wait times can vary from 4 to 8 weeks. (info@pblsask.ca, 1-855-833-7257 or 306-569-3098) 

• Community Legal Services for Saskatoon Inner City (CLASSIC):
  • CLASSIC is a poverty law clinic that provides free legal advice and representation to low-income residents of Saskatoon who cannot afford a lawyer. Eligibility is subject to a financial test. Two services are provided: a walk-in clinic where the public can meet with a law student to obtain assistance with any legal issue (except family and criminal law) and a legal advice clinic where the public can meet with a lawyer for thirty minutes to obtain assistance in any area of law. Wait times for assistance are approximately 2 weeks. (info@classiclaw.ca, 306-657-6100)

For Sexual Violence or Workplace Sexual Harassment   

Those who have experienced sexual violence or workplace sexual harassment may be eligible for free legal assistance:

• Listen Project:
  • PLEA’s Listen Project is a resource for survivors of sexual violence; that is, those who have experienced unwanted sexual contact, harassment, or exploitation. The program provides victims with up to four hours of free information and advice from a lawyer trained in trauma-informed service. Individuals can apply online, by phone, or email. (listen@plea.org, 1-855-258-9415 or 306-974-3333)
• Shift Project:
  • PLEA’s Shift Project is a resource for people who have experienced sexual harassment/violence in their workplace. The program provides victims with up to four hours of free legal information and advice from a lawyer trained in trauma-informed service. Individuals can apply online, by phone, or email.  (shift@plea.org, 1-855-258-9415 or 306-974-3333)

Specialized Assistance Sources

There are many specialized assistance sources in the province

Children & Youth

• Advocate for Children and Youth:
  • The Advocate for Children and Youth works on behalf of children and youth in the care of the Government of Saskatchewan and tries to resolve matters concerning a child in the care of the Government. (contact@saskadvocate.ca, 1-800-322-7221 or 306-933-6700)

• Public Guardian and Trustee:
  • Those with questions about guardianship regarding children and dependent adults may contact the Public Guardian and Trustee for legal information. (pgt@gov.sk.ca, 1-877-787-5424 or 306-787-5424)

• Social Services Child Protection Office:
  • The Ministry of Social Services provides child protection services for children in need of protection. (1‑844‑787‑3760 (Regina), 1‑800‑274‑8297 (Saskatoon), and 1‑866‑719‑6164 (Prince Albert)) 

Complaints

• Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP:
  • The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP, an agency that is not part of the RCMP, receives complaints about officers’ conduct from the public and conducts reviews. (1-866-432-5837) 

• College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan:
  • The College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan regulates dentists in Saskatchewan.  When members of the public have concerns about their dental treatment or the conduct of a dentist, they may contact the college. (cdss@saskdentists.com, 306-244-5072) 

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan:
  • If a member of the public is dissatisfied with their medical care or the actions of a physician, they may contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan for assistance. (complaints@cps.sk.ca, 1-800-667-1668 )

• Law Society of Saskatchewan:
  • The Law Society of Saskatchewan is the professional body that regulates lawyers and the practice of law in Saskatchewan. Among the Law Society’s responsibilities are the investigation and determination of complaints regarding the conduct of lawyers practising in the province. Professional Responsibility Counsel review the inquiries they receive about the conduct of lawyers. Members of the public can consult the Complaints Process Kit. (reception@lawsociety.sk.ca, 1-833-733-0133 or 306-569-8242) 

• Public Complaints Commission:
  • Saskatchewan’s Public Complaints Commission receives, investigates, and reviews complaints against municipal police. (1-866-256-6194 or 306-787-6519 [Regina] or 306-964-1450 [Saskatoon])

• Ombudsman Saskatchewan:
  • Ombudsman Saskatchewan is an independent agency that can assist those who have been unfairly treated by the Government of Saskatchewan. (1-800-667-9787 or 306-787-6211 [Regina] or 306-933-5500 [Saskatoon], ombreg@ombudsman.sk.ca [Regina] or ombsktn@ombudsman.sk.ca [Saskatoon])

 Criminal Matters

• Alternatives to Going to Criminal Court:
  • The Alternatives to Going to Criminal Court page on the Government of Saskatchewan website provides contact information for alternative measure programs in Saskatchewan. 

• Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan:
  • The Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan is a non-profit organization that assists women before, during, and after incarceration. (reception@elizabethfrysask.org, 1-888-934-4606 or 306-934-4606) 

• John Howard Society of Saskatchewan:
  • The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan provides prevention, intervention, support services, and advocacy for individuals involved in the criminal justice process. (provincial@sk.johnhoward.ca, 306-757-6657)

Debt & Credit

• Credit Counselling Society of Saskatchewan:
  • The Credit Counselling Society of Saskatchewan is a non-profit organization that provides accredited and free credit and debt counselling services. (info@nomoredebts.org, 1-888-527-8999)

• Provincial Mediation Board:
  • The Provincial Mediation Board provides free financial advice to members of the public and may be able to help debtors and creditors settle debt outside of court. (306-787-5408)

 Employment & Work

• Employment Standards:
  • Those who have been wrongfully dismissed without adequate severance, not paid earned wages, or acted unlawfully against by an employer can contact Employment Standards for assistance. (employmentstandards@gov.sk.ca, 1-800-667-1783 or 306-525-6999)

• Labour Relations Board:
  • The Labour Relations Board helps those who are experiencing union-related issues. (306-787-2406)

• Office of the Workers’ Advocate:
  • The Office of the Workers’ Advocate provides free assistance to those navigating Saskatchewan’s worker compensation system. Those who have been injured at work can contact them for assistance. (workersadvocate@gov.sk.ca, 1-877-787-245) 

• Unemployed Workers Help Centre:
  • The Unemployed Workers Help Centre provides free legal information, advocacy, and help for Employment Insurance claimants. They also provide employment education workshops and referrals to other agencies that can help unemployed workers. (uwhc.regina@sasktel.net (Regina) or uwhc.saskatoon@sasktel.net (Saskatoon), 306-525-5138 (Regina) or 306-382-8662 (Saskatoon))

Family Matters

• Child Support Recalculation Service:
  • The Child Support Recalculation Service helps families with child support orders and agreements, providing a free, faster, and less adversarial alternative than court for parents to use when updating child support amounts. (recalculation@gov.sk.ca, 306-787-5042) 

• Early Family Dispute Resolution Service:
  • The Early Family Dispute Resolution Service provides legal information and mandatory early dispute resolution for those in a family law proceeding. (earlyfamilyresolution@gov.sk.ca, 1-833-787-0439 or 306-787-0439) 

• Family Law Information Centre:
  • Lawyers at the Family Law Information Centre are available to provide free family law information and coaching, over the phone, by email, or at in-person help sessions, to anyone regardless of income.  They don’t provide legal advice or representation but can support individuals representing themselves in a family law proceeding. (familylaw@gov.sk.ca, 1-888-218-2822 or 306-787-5837)

• Family Matters Program:
  • Family Matters helps families going through separation or divorce avoid court by providing free access to information, resources, referral services, and out of court mediation. (familymatters@gov.sk.ca, 1-844-863-3408)

• Maintenance Enforcement Office:
  • Child support orders or agreements can be registered with the Maintenance Enforcement Office. Once registered, the office monitors payments and, if necessary, takes action when the required payments are missed or late. (meoinquiry@gov.sk.ca, 1-866-229-9712 or 306-787-8961)

• Parenting after Separation and Divorce Program:
  • The free Parenting after Separation and Divorce Program is mandatory for all parents in a family law proceeding. The program helps parents who are experiencing a family breakdown. (parented@gov.sk.ca, 1-888-218-2822 (Regina) or 1-877-964-5501 (Saskatoon))                                                                      

Indigenous Peoples

• Aboriginal Courtworker Program:
  • The Saskatchewan Aboriginal Courtwork Program enhances access to justice by helping Aboriginal people receive fair, just, equitable and culturally sensitive treatment before the courts. Aboriginal Courtworkers also play a major role in justice system efficiency and reducing the over-representation of Indigenous people. They provide court navigation, information and liaison services and help to reduce court delays and adjournments, make referrals over to restorative justice, provide vital information about the accused and let the judge know about community-based services and supports that could form part of the sentence. (Contact list, 1-800-514-5666)

• Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN):
  • The FSIN advances the interests of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous persons. Among other helpful services, the FSIN provides legal information and assists with complaints about Government services. (info@fsin.com,  306-665-1215)

• Indigenous Resources Officer Program:
  • The Indigenous Resource Officer Program provides information, support and referrals for Indigenous victims of crime.  (Contact list)

Renting & Housing

• Office of Residential Tenancies:
  • The Office of Residential Tenancies provides information about the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. When landlords and tenants cannot resolve disputes, the OTC can help settle the dispute. Information is provided over the phone or through virtual clinics.  Disputes can be resolved through the online portal. (ORT@gov.sk.ca, 1-888-215-2222)

Other

• Automobile Injury Appeal Commission:
  • Those who have a dispute with Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) regarding no-fault accident benefits can contact the Automobile Injury Appeal Commission. Advocates with the SGI Appeal Advisor Program can assist those going before the commission with a dispute. (aiac@gov.sk.ca, 1-800-322-7221 or 306-798-5545)

• Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority:
  • The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority, a Government of Saskatchewan agency, educates consumers and business owners about their rights and responsibilities with regards to consumer protection. They provide free legal information to concerned consumers and will investigate consumer complaints about products and businesses. (consumerprotection@gov.sk.ca, 1-877-880-5550 or 306-787-5550)

• Highway Traffic Board:
  • Those with disputes surrounding vehicle impoundments, roadside suspensions, the Safe Driver Recognition, or driver’s licence suspensions may contact the Saskatchewan Highway Traffic Board for assistance. (contactus.htb@gov.sk.ca, 1-855-775-8336)

• Human Rights Commission:
  • Those who have been discriminated against can contact the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission for legal information, mediation, and legal assistance. (shrc@gov.sk.ca, 1-800-667-9249 or 306-933-5952)

• Information Services Corporation:
  • The Information Services Corporation is a Government of Saskatchewan agency that provides information and services about land titles, property, and corporate registration. (ask@isc.ca, 1-866-275-4721)

• Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner:
  • The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner  is an independent agency that investigates information and privacy concerns of Saskatchewan residents. (intake@oipc.sk.ca, 1-877-748-2298 or 306-787-8350)

• Public Guardian and Trustee:
  • Those with questions about guardianship regarding power of attorney or concerns about the ability of someone to manage their affairs may contact the Public Guardian and Trustee for legal information. (pgt@gov.sk.ca, 1-877-787-5424 or 306-787-5424)

Violence & Abuse

• Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Programs:
  • The Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Programs webpage on the Government of Saskatchewan website highlights free help available for victims of violence and abuse including Transition Houses, Sexual Assault Services, and Family Violence Outreach and Victim Services Programs.