INTERVENOR APPLICATIONS
Adding perspective. Advancing justice.
An intervenor application is a request for permission to participate in a court case as someone who is not a party but can offer a useful perspective on the legal issues. Intervenors often assist courts by addressing broader legal, social, or systemic impacts that may not be fully covered by the parties.
PATH may seek to intervene in cases that align with our mandate and where we can offer a distinct perspective grounded in our work with people in custody, survivors of gender-based violence, and communities facing systemic barriers to justice. Our intervention work focuses on access to justice, equality, liberty, dignity, and the real-world impacts of legal decisions.
How We Can Help
PATH may be able to assist with:
Identifying cases where PATH may bring a useful public-interest perspective
Preparing applications for leave to intervene
Drafting proposed intervener submissions
Working with community organizations, lawyers, or people with lived experience to shape submissions
Highlighting systemic impacts, access to justice concerns, and the lived realities of affected communities
Supporting appellate advocacy in cases that align with PATH’s mandate
What to Expect
If a case appears to align with PATH’s mandate, we will assess whether PATH may be able to offer a useful and distinct perspective. This may involve reviewing the legal issues, the stage of the case, the timelines for intervention, and whether PATH’s involvement could assist the court without duplicating the parties’ arguments.
When to Contact Us
If a case appears to align with PATH’s mandate, we will assess whether PATH may be able to offer a useful and distinct perspective. This may involve reviewing the legal issues, the stage of the case, the timelines for intervention, and whether PATH’s involvement could assist the court without duplicating the parties’ arguments.
Documents & Information
That May Help
You do not need to have all of these documents or details before contacting PATH. If your matter appears to fall within our mandate, we may ask for some of the following information to better understand the issue and assess how we may be able to assist.
The name and court file number of the case
The court level and current stage of the case
Upcoming filing deadlines or hearing dates
The legal issues being considered by the court
Copies of pleadings, factums, decisions, or leave materials, if available
Information about how the case connects to PATH’s mandate
Any existing community, organizational, or lived-experience perspectives relevant to the case
Whether other organizations are already seeking to intervene
Need help?
To request assistance, please complete PATH's intake form. If there are any upcoming hearing dates, deadlines, or urgent issues, please include that information when contacting us.
Alternatively, you may call our intake phone line at 1 (844) PAROLE-04 (1-844-727-6534) to leave a voicemail. Please note that PATH Legal does not accept unscheduled or cold calls. If you would like to speak with a member of our team, you must leave a voicemail or complete the intake form above.