Scope of ServiceThese services are provided within the scope authorized by the Law Society of Ontario. Where a matter falls outside that scope we say so plainly and can refer you, through our professional network, to almost any lawyer, paralegal, mediator, or licensed consultant your matter may require.
How This Is ChargedResearch is charged per task. The question, the sources to be covered, the turnaround and the fee are confirmed in writing before any research begins, and nothing is started until that has been agreed. You may commission a single question and stop there. Terms and conditions apply.
What we deliver
- A clear written summary of the rules that apply to your question
- The legislation and regulations, quoted and cited so you can verify them
- Relevant tribunal and court decisions, with what each one means for you
- The strongest points on your side and the weak points to prepare for
- Practical next steps and the deadlines that apply
Who this is for
Self-represented parties preparing for a hearing, small businesses weighing a dispute, and anyone who wants to understand a position before spending money on it. Research is also available to support a matter we are already handling for you.
How it works
- Tell us the question and the facts behind it, through the preparation intake or a consultation
- We confirm what the research will cover, the turnaround, and the fee for that task, in writing
- You receive the written research, with every source quoted and cited so you can verify it and hand it up
- Optional follow-up call to walk through what it means, quoted as its own task
Part of preparing your own case
Research is often the first task people commission when they intend to represent themselves, because knowing the governing provision and the decisions that turn on it changes what you argue and what you stop arguing. It sits alongside the rest of the preparation work: framing the issues, the applications and notices, the affidavits and evidence brief, the question plans for examination and cross-examination, and the opening and closing. See the full preparation service.
ImportantWritten research is prepared for the question and the facts you give us, in the matter you identify. It is not a prediction of any outcome and no result is promised or implied. It should not be relied on for a different matter, for a different forum, or after the law has changed. Research is provided only within our authorized scope of practice and our competence. Nothing on this page is legal advice, and reading it creates no professional relationship. Terms and conditions apply.
Common questions
Is legal research the same as legal advice?
They overlap. Where research is applied to your facts and you are told what to do, that is legal advice, and we provide it only within our authorized scope. If your question falls outside that scope, we tell you and refer you appropriately.
Can you research a matter that is going to Superior Court?
We can often research the underlying law, but if your matter belongs in the Superior Court you should have a lawyer conducting it. We say so, and refer you through our network.
