Donate and help us build a thriving Iranian community!Donate
Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association LogoSaskatoon Iranian Cultural Association

Navigation Menu

Legal Support Resources

Legal Support Resources

All rights are reserved for the Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association. Citing or using the content of this knowledge base is allowed only with the inclusion of a link to the original article on this website.

Legal Support Resources in Saskatoon

Introduction

Navigating legal issues in a new country can be confusing - employment, housing disputes, immigration questions, and small claims can all feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Saskatchewan and Saskatoon offer several legal support services that are free or low cost, including pro bono lawyers, legal clinics, and student-assisted consultations.

This guide explains the main resources, what they can help with, and how to access them.

Types of Legal Help Available

1. Pro Bono (Free) Legal Assistance

Pro bono lawyers provide free legal help for qualifying situations. These services are limited by eligibility, capacity, and type of legal issue, but they are excellent for essential legal questions.

2. Legal Aid / Government-Funded Services

Legal Aid provides free or low-cost legal help for eligible people with limited income - especially for criminal, family, or child welfare cases.

3. Law School Clinics / Law Student Assistance

Law students, supervised by licensed lawyers, can provide advice, document review, basic representation, often free or low cost.

4. Non-Profit Support Organizations

Community groups sometimes partner with lawyers to offer workshops, legal info sessions, and clinics tailored to immigrants and refugees.

Pro Bono Legal Resources

Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS)

A key source of free legal advice in Saskatchewan.

Who it helps:

  • Residents with low income
  • People facing civil issues (employment, tenancy, debt, consumer)
  • Immigration application questions

What they offer:

  • Initial legal advice
  • Document review
  • Referral to pro bono lawyers

How to access:

Note: Priority is usually given based on income and urgency.

Alternatives

Law Society of Saskatchewan provides a list of approved pro bono organizations on their webiste https://www.lawsociety.sk.ca/pro-bono-legal-services/.

Legal Aid Saskatchewan (Government-Funded)

Legal Aid helps with serious matters, including:

  • Criminal charges
  • Family law (divorce, custody, support)
  • Child protection
  • Immigration detention reviews

Website: https://www.legalaid.sk.ca

Saskatoon Office:

  • Address: 1053 - 122 Third Avenue North, Sturdy Stone Centre, Saskatoon, SK
  • Phone: (306) 933-7820

Eligibility

To receive Legal Aid:

  • You must demonstrate income eligibility
  • Often based on your total household income and number of dependents

How to apply:

  1. Call the office for an intake appointment.
  2. Bring:
    • Photo ID
    • Proof of income (pay stubs, bank statements)
    • Documents related to your legal problem

You may be placed on a waiting list if demand is high.

Law School Clinics & Student Legal Help

University of Saskatchewan – Legal Aid Student Program

Law students assist with legal clinics under supervision.

Services available:

  • Legal information
  • Document preparation help
  • Referrals to lawyers

No-cost or low-cost for qualifying participants.

How to access:

Often they host walk-in clinics or scheduled advice sessions - check the site or call ahead.

Community & Non-Profit Legal Supports

Saskatoon Open Door Society (SODS)

A major settlement organization that also provides:

  • Referrals to legal resources
  • Assistance with forms and applications
  • Information about rights

Contact:

Access Pro Bono Community Events

Lawyers and volunteers often run:

  • Free legal info nights
  • Tenant/landlord rights clinics
  • Immigration Q&A sessions

Check:

  • SODS calendar
  • Saskatoon Public Library events
  • Local community center bulletin boards

Other Helpful Resources

Tenant & Housing Supports

If your legal issue is about housing: Office of Residential Tenancies

Employment Law Info

Employment Standards Branch – Saskatchewan Website: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/employment-standards Call for questions about:

  • unpaid wages
  • termination notice
  • overtime pay
  • hours of work

How to Use These Resources (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 - Identify your legal issue

Is it:

  • Criminal (charged with offence)?
  • Family (custody, child support)?
  • Immigration / refugee?
  • Employment (wrongful termination, unpaid wages)?
  • Housing (eviction, discrimination, repairs)?
  • Consumer/debt?

Write down:

  • Dates
  • Key facts
  • Documents you have

This will make any consultation more productive.

Step 2 - Contact the right service

For serious legal rights questions (criminal, family)

Call Legal Aid first.

For civil disputes, employment, housing, consumer

Apply to Pro Bono Law Office

For document help or form reviews

Law school clinic or SODS referral

Step 3 - Prepare before your appointment

Bring:

  • Government ID
  • Income proof
  • Contract letters, emails, receipts
  • Notes about the issue

Questions to ask your lawyer:

  1. What are my rights in this situation?
  2. What are my options?
  3. What deadlines apply?
  4. Will there be costs?
  5. What documents should I collect?

What You Should Ask, and When to Seek Help

Emergencies

  • Arrest or detention → call Legal Aid immediately.
  • Domestic violence → call police/shelter plus Legal Aid.

Civil / non-emergency

  • Unpaid wages → Employment Standards + Pro Bono
  • Wrongful eviction → Tenant hotline + Pro Bono
  • Immigration confusion → Law clinic / SODS referral

Helpful Links Summary

Summary

  • Free legal help exists - but you must match your issue to the right resource.
  • Start with Legal Aid for serious legal rights issues.
  • For civil disputes and general legal advice, Pro Bono Law Office is the best first step.
  • For guided help with forms/documents, law student clinics and settlement services are effective and free.
Legal Support Resources - Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association