International Law

The 'Bad Consultant Hotline' at 416-978-6447 launches Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 and will be answered four days a week by law students at the University of Toronto's legal aid clinic, Downtown Legal Services (DLS).

Two lines will be manned by some 80 law students, under supervision by their seniors, including legal consultants.

The group is also exploring the possibility of setting up the hotline on a toll-free 800 number.

"We already receive calls from former clients of immigration consultants, and we've been able to help a few of them," says Joel Hechter, a law student who represented just such a client: deported after being exploited by an unscrupulous consultant.

"But we are a small clinic, and can only take on a limited number of files. This hotline will give a voice to many more."

Hechter adds any cases taken up will be done totally free of cost to the customer.

Callers can remain anonymous if they so wish, with Hechter cautioning those who want to remain behind the scenes to take proper precautions (or phone from an unlisted number).