In Canada, private prepaid legal service providers have only recently begun working with Canadian lawyers and marketing their plans in Canada. These include prepaid legal service providers from the United States. Prepaid legal service plans can take a variety of forms . Most provide at least for telephone advice, which ranges from one call per issue to unlimited telephone calls, depending on the plan. Others provide for actual representation in negotiations or in court.
Some plans have limits on the number of hours of representation or the types of matters covered.
Some set a fixed rate for representation services beyond the maximum number of hours provided under the plan. This is typically lower than the market rate for legal services. Plans also frequently cover the preparation of wills or handling of residential real estate transactions. Prepaid legal service plans have potential benefits both to members of the public and to lawyers . Subscribers gain access to legal services that they may not have otherwise afforded.