We believe that public has a fundamental democratic right to access the judicial system without using intermediaries (lawyers, paralegals, etc.). The existing judicial system, however, because of its complexity makes it difficult for everyday people to access their legal rights without the help of legal professionals.

How we Can help?

We provide assistance to self-represented litigants in the following ways:

  1. Pre-litigation assessment:
    1. provide an opinion on the legal merits of your case.
    2. Advise on selection of forum; for example, which court or tribunal is appropriate for your case.
    3. Advise on the appropriate cause(s) of action for your case.
    4. Advise on legal strategy.
  2. Litigation Assistance:
    1. Drafting of court documents e.g. pleadings (statement of claim, statement of defence, Reply, Application, affidavit, motion record, affidavit of documents, discovery plan, etc.)
    2. Review of court documents/pleadings to provide an opinion and propose amendments etc.
    3. Coaching for negotiation, mediation, pre-trial, motion, discovery, trial etc.
  3. Legal Documents:
    1. Drafting of legal documents such as contracts, leases, settlement agreements, etc.
    2. Explain the implication of various legal documents and provide opinions
  4. Unbundled Services:
    1. Provide assistance on a specific step in litigation. For example, we can argue a specific motion in court, conduct an examination for discovery, conduct pretrial, conduct trial, attend mediation, or attend pre-trial etc. In any of these specific steps, we will not be the “lawyer of record”, but represent you for that specific step alone.
  5. Appeals:
    1. Provide an opinion on potential success on appeal
    2. Prepare appeal documents
    3. Argue appeals on your behalf

While operating a conventional law firm for more than a decade, we have always assisted self-represented litigants in many ways.

We have provided litigation support to self-represented litigants at various stages of their case. In this process, we have successfully argued motions, appeals and trials on behalf of various self-represented litigants.

Since 2016, we have been operating a Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/youcounsel) where we post lectures on substantive legal topics for everyday users. Thus far, we have posted over 155 lectures, have 2,800+ subscribers and more than 313,000 views.

We also provide legal education on specific legal topics (e.g. conducting a trial in small claims court) through our (paid) subscription-based legal courses (www.youcounsel.ca). These courses are designed to eliminate the need for hiring a legal professional.

For occasional questions on a legal topic, anyone can consult with us through Clarity.

For further assistance, you may contact Amer Mushtaq: amer@formativelaw.ca; or Natasha Persaud: Natasha@formativelaw.ca.

Browse our Recent Lectures

Self-Represent

  • Lecture 5: How to Claim Refunds in Canada for Summer Camps/Airline Tickets Due to COVID-19?

    This is the fifth (and the last) lecture in this series on the issue of claiming refunds in Canada for Summer Camps and Airline Tickets. These lectures specifically deal with scenarios where summer camps have been cancelled by the Camp providers or the flight have been cancelled by the airline itself. (These lectures do not

  • Emergency Loan for Canadians Stranded Abroad During COVID-19 Pandemic

    The Canadian Government is offering up to $5,000 loan for Canadians who are stranded abroad and need to return to Canada. This lecture explains the purpose of the loan, the eligibility criteria and how to apply. For additional information, please visit: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/financial-assistance/covid-19-financial-help-faqs This lecture is taught by Amer Mushtaq, LL.B., M. Engineering , B.Sc.

  • New Changes (May 29) to Ontario’s Employment Laws: Employees Lose Rights During COVID-19 Emergency

    On May 29, 2020, Ontario Government introduced certain temporary changes to Employment Standards Act. These changes allow employers to reduce or eliminate employees hours and wages unilaterally. This lecture explains these changes and their impact on employees. You can review the new regulation (Ontario Regulation 280/20) through this link: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200228?search=regulation+228%2F20 This lecture is taught by

  • $1.2K+ per Month – Student Benefit (Canada Emergency Student Benefit)

    Today (April 22, 2020), Canadian Government has announced specific benefits for students for the summer. Canada Emergency Student Benefit will be available to eligible students from May to August 2020. In addition, students will receive payment for volunteering. For public service volunteering opportunities, you may visit: https://psjobs-emploisfp.psc-cfp.gc.ca/psrs-srfp/applicant/page1800?poster=1437722 THE DEADLINE FOR THESE SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER POSITIONS IS

  • Lecture 4: How to Claim Refunds in Canada for Summer Camps/Airline Tickets Due to COVID-19?

    This is the fourth of five lectures on the issue of claiming refunds in Canada for Summer Camps and Airline Tickets. These lectures specifically deal with scenarios where summer camps have been cancelled by the Camp providers or the flight have been cancelled by the airline itself. (These lectures do not deal with scenario where

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