Legal Services
Responsibilities
- The Legal Services branch is the City's in-house law firm.
- Legal Services provides legal representation to the City of Oshawa, its Council, staff and related boards and agencies on matters relating to the City's business and operations.
- We cannot advise on personal legal matters.
Resources and Services
By-laws and contracts
- Prepare or review drafts of City by-laws for other operating departments City departments and prepare by-laws for council.
- Prepare or review all types of contracts (development agreements, contracts for the purchase of goods and services, etc.)
By-law prosecution
Handle court actions against individuals accused of violating the City's regulatory by-laws (e.g., littering, noise, operating businesses without being properly licensed, improper use of property, etc.)
Collections
Take action (including court action) to collect overdue debts owed to the City (except property taxes).
Court representation
Represent the City's interest in cases before various levels of courts and administrative tribunals such as the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).
Frequently requested information
Durham Community Legal Clinic
Midtown Centre - 200 John Street West, Unit B1
Oshawa, ON L1J 2B4
905-728-7321 - Toll Free 1-888-297-2202
Landlord & Tenant Inquiries
Ontario: 1-888-332-3234
Legal Aid Office
1-800-668-8258
Real estate closings
Handle the legal aspects of the City's real estate transactions (purchases, sales, leases, encroachments and expropriations).
Research and legal opinions
Respond to inquiries from our customers regarding the City's rights, powers and obligations under the many pieces of provincial legislation that govern and control the City's day-to-day operations, including performing legal research and providing written legal opinions.