Community-Language legal referral line

Callers use the line for free. The most likely funders are community partners such as settlement agencies, community foundations or local grant programs that pay for the service. Paid advertising or directory listings from lawyers may be a second source, but only if your provincial law society's rules allow it. Confirm this with the law society before agreeing to any payment from a lawyer.

Start with grant funding, a small contract with a settlement agency, or a non-profit model run with community partners. A flat advertising or listing fee from lawyers, set in advance and not linked to referrals, clients or case outcomes, may be possible in some provinces. Law societies in Canada generally restrict lawyers from paying referral fees to non-lawyers or sharing fees with them, so check with your provincial law society and take professional advice before accepting any money from lawyers. Plan as if lawyer payments will not be allowed.

• Fluency in a second language and cultural know-how
• Patient, friendly phone manner
• Building trust in a community

• Law society rules in your province are likely to prohibit lawyers from paying referral fees to non-lawyers and may limit any payments from lawyers, so check before you take money from any lawyer or firm
• Giving legal advice without being a lawyer is not allowed, so keep your script to who-to-call guidance
• Immigration advice is regulated, so refer only to authorized lawyers or licensed consultants (for example those regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants)
• Protect callers' personal details and check your privacy obligations
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence or business registration
• Income depends on winning grants or partner contracts and may be slow to start, and may stay small if paid listings are not allowed

Estimates suggest startup costs typically run around $500 to $3,000, depending on your phone and chat setup, any website, and how much you spend on outreach to your community.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $200 to $1,000, depending on grants, partner contracts and whether paid listings are allowed. Income may be slow to start and may stay small.

Check your provincial law society's rules before taking money from any lawyer, as referral fees may be prohibited. Do not give legal advice, refer immigration matters only to authorized practitioners, and check your privacy obligations.