Winnipeg's Law Courts complex at 408 York Avenue houses the Provincial Court of Manitoba (criminal first appearances, bail and most criminal trials) and the Court of King's Bench (serious criminal trials, family matters, divorces and civil litigation), with the Manitoba Court of Appeal in the historic building around the corner on Broadway. Small claims run through the Court of King's Bench's small claims process, and tenancy disputes through Manitoba's Residential Tenancies Branch rather than the courts. Free supports include duty counsel on the criminal lists, Legal Aid Manitoba for those who qualify, the Community Legal Education Association's information services and lawyer referral, university student clinics, and the right of anyone detained by police to free counsel by phone at any hour.
Criminal Law in Winnipeg
Winnipeg criminal charges start at the Provincial Court at 408 York Avenue — first appearance, bail, most trials — with the most serious matters before the Court of King's Bench in the same complex. The law is national: one Criminal Code, the s 515 bail ladder, and Charter rights to silence and free counsel by phone from the moment of detention.
Duty counsel staffs the daily lists, Legal Aid Manitoba funds defence for those who qualify, and diversion and alternative measures resolve eligible minor charges. Before any police interview and before any plea, get legal information first — the free line explains the process, the penalties and the exits, any hour. Speak to a lawyer about a criminal law matter → Family Law in Winnipeg
Winnipeg family matters — divorce, parenting, support, property — run through the Court of King's Bench Family Division at the Law Courts. National rules govern divorce (1 year's separation) and parenting (best interests, decision-making responsibility and parenting time); Manitoba's family property legislation presumes equal sharing for married and qualifying common-law partners, and protection orders are available quickly in family-violence situations.
Manitoba pushes families toward resolution services before trial. The free line explains the regime and the clocks for your situation, and can book a family consultation (C$295, nothing added) on the call. Speak to a lawyer about a family law matter → Impaired Driving & Traffic in Winnipeg
Winnipeg impaired charges run under the federal Criminal Code — 80 mg per 100 mL within 2 hours, minimum $1,000 fine and 1-year prohibition on a first offence — with Manitoba adding immediate roadside suspensions, vehicle impoundment and its tiered administrative consequences, plus the ignition-interlock route back. Traffic offences add demerits under Manitoba's driver-safety rating, which also drives your insurance premiums with MPI.
The free line explains where your reading lands, what MPI consequences follow, and what the first court date involves, before you decide anything. Speak to a lawyer about a impaired driving & traffic matter → Employment Law in Winnipeg
Winnipeg dismissals run on Manitoba's Employment Standards Code floor plus the common law's reasonable notice — months of full compensation for dismissed employees, far beyond the statutory minimums, unless a valid contract limits it. Human rights complaints go to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission on its own filing window.
Don't sign a severance release the day it lands. The free line explains the rules and the claim clocks any hour; a C$295 severance-review consultation is bookable right on the call. Speak to a lawyer about a employment law matter → Winnipeg Courts
Where your matter is heard depends on the offence and its seriousness. The courts that serve Winnipeg are:
Winnipeg Law Courts
408 York Avenue. The Provincial Court of Manitoba — criminal first appearances, bail and most trials — and the Court of King's Bench, which hears serious criminal trials, family matters and civil litigation, including the small claims process.
Manitoba Court of Appeal
The province's highest court, sitting in the historic Law Courts building on Broadway — appeals from the Court of King's Bench and the Provincial Court.
Residential Tenancies Branch
Manitoba's tenancy tribunal — Winnipeg landlord-tenant disputes (evictions, deposits, rent, repairs) are decided here rather than in court.
What to Do Right Now
1
Check any charge sheet, bail paper, summons or notice for the court and date — Provincial Court and King's Bench share the York Avenue complex but run separate lists.
2
Write down what happened while it is fresh — dates, times, what was said, any documents — and keep everything in one folder.
3
Do not guess your plea, contact complainants, or discuss the matter on social media. Decisions made in the first days are the hardest to undo.
4
Call 1-855-529-1555 free, any hour, for plain-English legal information about your situation — and if you want a lawyer, book a C$295 one-hour consultation (the total, nothing added) right on the call.
Winnipeg Legal Questions
Which court will my Winnipeg matter be in?
Most matters run through the Law Courts at 408 York Avenue — criminal first appearances and most trials with the Provincial Court, serious criminal trials, family and civil matters with the Court of King's Bench, and appeals with the Court of Appeal on Broadway. Tenancy disputes go to the Residential Tenancies Branch instead. Your paperwork names the court and room.
Can I get free legal help in Winnipeg?
Yes — several kinds. Legal Hotline's information line is free, 24/7, on 1-855-529-1555. Duty counsel helps at first appearances and bail; Legal Aid Manitoba funds representation for those who qualify; the Community Legal Education Association provides free legal information and lawyer referrals; university clinics advise on smaller matters; and anyone detained by police can speak to free counsel by phone at any hour.
How do I get a Winnipeg lawyer quickly?
Call 1-855-529-1555, free, any hour. You get immediate legal information about your situation, and if you want a lawyer, a one-hour consultation with a Canadian lawyer (C$295 — the total, nothing added) can be booked right on the call — no separate forms, no waiting for business hours.
Are you a Winnipeg law firm?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm — the free line provides general legal information, not legal advice, and calling creates no lawyer-client relationship. When you want advice, we connect you with a Canadian lawyer for a fixed-price consultation. Winnipeg lawyers who want consultation-ready clients can register through our For Lawyers page.