Inventory of Reforms
Ontario Family Law Information Centres
Year:
1999
Description:
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General courthouse family law information centres, offering information, limited legal advice, and other assistance to self-represented litigants.
Status:
Permanent implementation
Jurisdiction:
Ontario
Court:
All Ontario courts
Body Responsible:
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
Timeline:
1999: FLICs established in 17 unified family court sites
1999-2004: FLICs expanded to all court locations
Publications:
Ontario Business Plan, 2002-2003 (Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, 2003). [Business Plan]
A Guide to Family Procedures in the Ontario Court of JusticePDFExternal Link (Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, 2004). [Guide]
Inventory of Government-based Family Justice Services: Family Law Information Centres (Ontario)External Link (website) (Department of Justice Canada, 2007). [Website]
Family Law Information CentresExternal Link (website) (Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, 2007).
Related Reforms:
See also Law Help Ontario Centre
See also Legal Aid Ontario Family Law Offices
Development:
Family Law Information Centres were established in 17 unified family court sites in 1999. They were expanded over the next five years to all court locations.
Purpose:
To provide free information and help about issues related to separation and divorce and other family law matters to the public.
Description of Reforms:
All court locations have a Family Law Information Centre (FLIC). A FLIC is an area in the court house where you can get free information and help about issues related to separation and divorce and other family law matters. It is a good idea to get this information before making important decisions.
Guide at 2
The following services are available at the FLIC:
- Court staff will provide information about the family court; court process; court forms; guides to procedure and how to get a lawyer
- An Advice Lawyer (from Legal Aid Ontario) will provide 20 minutes of general legal information on family law matters free of charge regardless of eligibility, or case-specific advice to those who qualify financially
- An Information Referral Coordinator (IRC) will provide information about family mediation; effects of separation and divorce on children; register the parties for free parent information sessions and make referrals to community services. (IRC service is available only at Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice locations [previously known as the Unified Family Court])
The following resource materials are available:
- Pamphlets and other publications on issues related to separation and divorce and child protection matters;
- Court forms and Guides to Procedure;
- Information on community resources; and
- Referrals to the court-connected family mediation services.*
*In Family Court of the Superior Court of Justice locations only.
Website
Results:
98% respondents to a 2001 survey rated FLIC services as « very helpful » or « satisfactory. » (Business Plan)
Revision History:
This summary was last reviewed in Nov 21, 2013