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Member Legal Services
CARFAC Ontario Member Legal Services

How the service works

This guide walks you through the process from start to finish, so you know exactly what to expect before you submit a request. Member Legal Services is designed to be accessible, transparent, and built around the realities of an artist's practice.

This service is currently in its pilot phase; your experience will help shape what it becomes.

Your path through the service
Tap any step to see more.
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Sign up, renew, or confirm your membership Required to access the service Required

Member Legal Services is available exclusively to CARFAC Ontario members. If you're not yet a member, join here — membership starts at $25/quarter. Already a member? Log in to confirm your status.

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Explore, take it slow Free group clinic or 1:1 triage Free

An opportunity for group general legal information and guidance — not legal advice. Ask a question or listen to what others are asking. To give everyone a chance to ask, each question is limited to about 10 minutes.

→ Artists' Rights Clinic

Mondays & Wednesdays | 5PM ET | Hosted by Vandana Taxali

Register Here

→ Legal Triage

One-on-one conversation to help you identify whether you have a legal issue and, if so, help you determine the appropriate next steps. General legal information, not advice.

Register Here

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Fast track: Submit your intake request Fees, secure form, ID check

You can review how fees and the Legal Subsidy work on the Fees page. CARFAC Ontario members have access to member rates, and may be eligible for a Legal Subsidy from CARFAC Ontario toward the cost of an approved matter.

Billing options Services may be billed on a fixed or hourly basis depending on the matter, with fixed rates offered wherever possible. Group consultations with shared fees, and payment installment plans, may also be available in certain circumstances. CARFAC Member Legal Services do not include fees for court-related matters, but this may be discussed directly with Entcounsel.

View Fees | Become a Member

Have these ready
  • Your CARFAC Ontario membership number (found in your member profile)
  • A short timeline of what happened
  • Contracts, emails and letters
  • Images of the work involved
  • Names of everyone involved, for the conflict check

Complete, organized materials help keep more of your subsidy for legal work. Not sure what's relevant? Send what you have, and you'll be told if more is needed.

→ Submit your request

Submit your request through Entcounsel's secure intake portal. You'll be asked to describe your situation and what kind of help you need.

Submit an intake

Protect your privilege: share contracts, emails and the details of your matter only through the secure portal. Why this matters

→ Identity verification

The Law Society of Ontario requires lawyers to verify your identity before services begin. This is handled securely through Stripe Identity. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.

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Vandana reviews your request Confirms fit, or refers you out

Your request is reviewed by Vandana Taxali at Entcounsel. She'll assess what you need and confirm whether the service is the right fit. If it falls outside the scope of the program, you'll be directed to appropriate referrals or self-help resources.

Entcounsel also runs a conflict check before accepting your matter. Separately, CARFAC Ontario reviews whether the matter is approved for the Legal Subsidy.

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Receive your quote and how much CARFAC Ontario’s subsidy will cover, if funds are available. Tailored pricing — your call

You'll receive a confirmation of the matter, service options, and a quote. Review it, ask any questions, and confirm when you're ready to proceed.

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Sign, pay, and get started Agreement + Stripe payment

Once you accept, you'll sign the CARFAC Member Legal Services Agreement and the Entcounsel Engagement Letter. Payment is processed securely via Stripe. After that — work begins.

What you'll sign:

→ CARFAC Member Legal Services Agreement

→ Sample Entcounsel Engagement Letter

Payment:

Processed via Stripe. Invoice issued through Entcounsel.

When the subsidy applies: the Legal Subsidy covers legal work done after your engagement letter is signed. It is not retroactive, and does not apply to the free triage, the clinic, or any earlier work.

Important information

Your part in the process

The Legal Subsidy is meant for legal advice and representation, not administrative work you can reasonably do yourself. To get the most from it, please:

  • provide complete, accurate information and relevant documents promptly
  • prepare a clear timeline or summary of events when asked
  • flag deadlines and urgent circumstances at the start
  • respond to requests, attend scheduled calls, and review drafts within reasonable timelines
  • let your lawyer know about any changes or new developments

Extra time spent organizing incomplete or disorganized materials may be charged against your subsidy. See the full participation terms on the Fees page.

Associate and Institutional Members

Associate and Institutional members of CARFAC Ontario can access legal services at member rates. Associate and Institutional members are responsible for a minimum of 50% of their quoted legal fees. Where subsidy funds are available, CARFAC Ontario may contribute toward the remaining balance. All services provided are informed by, and consistent with, guidelines developed by CARFAC to benefit visual artists in Canada, including the CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule, and the Status of Ontario's Artists Act. For more information, please see the CARFAC Member Legal Services Agreement – Standards and Conflicts, Clause 13.

Conflict of Interest

The CARFAC Member Legal Services Program offers support for both individual artists and the individuals and organizations that engage them. If a conflict of interest arises between an artist member and an associate or institutional member, Entcounsel will prioritize the artist and decline to represent the associate/institutional member. For more information, please see the CARFAC Member Legal Services Agreement – Conflicts of Interest and Joint Representation, Clause 14.

What to expect along the way

  • Clear communication at every stage
  • A tailored quote before any work begins
  • Member rates exclusive to CARFAC members
  • Secure digital identity verification via Stripe
  • Non-litigation services only (see FAQ for scope)
  • Referrals provided if your need is out of scope
  • Feedback welcomed — this is a pilot program
  • CARFAC Ontario support with membership and program questions

Ready to get started?

Book a free legal triage call, or go straight to the intake form.

Questions about fees or services: artlaw@entcounsel.com
Questions about the program or membership: info@carfacontario.ca

Book a Free Legal Triage Call → Submit an Intake Form →
Disclaimer: The Artists' Rights Clinic and Free Legal Triage Call provide general legal information only, not legal advice, and do not create a solicitor-client relationship. All other services are legal services provided under Entcounsel's engagement terms and a signed engagement letter, subject to entcounsel.com/terms. This is a pilot project; services, pricing, subsidy availability and tier structure may be changed, updated or discontinued at any time without notice.

CARFAC Ontario is supported by our members and the following organizations:

          

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