New online service gives Quebecers free legal information

The provincial government officially launched an online tool called Juridiqc, which provides free and simplified legal information to Quebecers.

Justice Minister Simon Jolin-barrette made the announcement in a press release Tuesday. The new service also offers personalized tools to help Quebecers better understand their rights. It also informs people about how to initiate legal proceedings.

“All Quebecers must be able to count on an accessible and fair justice system,” said Simon-barrette. “With Juridiqc, we make sure to give people easy and direct access to clear and simple legal information adapted to their situation.”

Juridiqc will evolve and expand over the next four years, but its initial release focuses on people going through divorce or separation. The platform addresses issues such as division of property and money, use of family home and mediation.

The online tool will eventually feature information on seniors, consumer protection, and criminal and penal offences in the next few months. The Société québécoise d'information juridique (SOQUIJ), designed Juridiqc thanks to a $17.2 million investment.

“It is a great pride for SOQUIJ to participate in the creation of a solution that contributes to the simplification and modernization of justice,” said SOQUIJ Director Gilles Lajoie. “Accompanying citizens in their understanding of the law is one of the cornerstones of our mission.”

Lajoie added that the online service is part of a larger initiative to simplify and modernize Quebec’s justice system. The government created a five-year plan, which started in 2018, with the goal of creating better access to justice.