Pro Bono Law Ontario is a charity founded in 2001 as the private bar's response to unmet legal needs. PBLO promotes access to justice in Ontario by creating and facilitating opportunities for lawyers to provide pro bono (free) legal services to persons of limited means and the charitable organizations that serve them.

Serving the Community

PBLO helps low-income people with civil (non-family) legal problems not covered by legal aid. Their numbers are growing, especially since Legal Aid Ontario cut its non-family certificate program in 2010. To our clients, PBLO means the difference between shelter and homelessness, economic stability and bankruptcy, food on the table and hunger. PBLO served 13,758 clients in 2011.

Vision Statement

To strengthen Ontario's legal system for our clients, volunteers and partners by:

• Developing, supporting and sustaining pro bono initiatives;
• Identifying unmet legal needs;
• Collaborating with other organizations to address access to justice issues; and
• Focusing on innovation and effectiveness when creating programs

Law Help Ontario Marks 5th Anniversary

Investing in Justice Campaign

PBLO has officially launched its Investing in Justice Campaign. To learn more please visit the Support Us tab!

Read PBLO's 2011-2012 Donor Report

New pro bono project to make it easier for low-income Ontarians to have their day at the Supreme Court of Canada

View PBLO's most current report on its projects Pro Bono Review >>

Civil Justice Reform Project report: read the list of recommendations and details on PBLO's role in assisting unrepresented litigants.