Criminal defence

Criminal defence in Canada: what lawyers charge and what to ask

Updated 4 November 2026

Approximately, according to lawyers' fee guides and websites, November 2026: experienced criminal defence lawyers in Ontario typically charge CA$300 to CA$600 an hour, or a block fee for the whole matter, and an early-resolved minor charge in Ottawa is quoted from CA$1,500 to CA$10,000. For a quote for your charge and court city, send a request on BlaBlaPrice.

Block fee or hourly rate

Some criminal defence practices quote a block fee for the whole matter instead of charging by the hour, and the fee is usually set after a first call. Others bill hourly, and in Ontario Toronto sits at the higher end of the range. Ask which basis applies, and what the block fee or hourly estimate covers, from the first court appearance up to a trial.

Initial retainer and trust account

Some firms start with an initial retainer. One firm quotes its retainer after a first call and asks for it to be paid into its trust account before work begins. Another firm's retainer of CA$2,500 is quoted plus GST, so ask whether GST is included in the figure you are given.

Timing: season and court dates

Canada's winter runs from December to February and summer from June to August. A criminal case, however, moves by court dates rather than by the weather, so plan around your next appearance, any bail conditions and the deadline in your matter. Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa each have their own courts, and the lawyer you choose should work in the court city where your case is heard.

What to write in your request

Name the charge if you know it, the procedural status and the case stage: whether you have a first appearance, a bail or other preventive measure, and a deadline. Add the city and court, your budget, and whether you want a lawyer with trial experience. Say if you want a fixed block fee or an hourly quote, so that offers can be compared on the same basis.

On BlaBlaPrice, describe your situation in your own words in a chat; it is free for buyers. The AI asks for missing details and looks through lawyers' fee information and price lists in Canada, then shows the prices and firms it found. Registered sellers reply in the chat with their fee, terms and availability. Your contact details stay hidden until you decide whom to contact. See legal help and court representation, or send a request from the home page.