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PBSC UY Info Session

PBSC UY Info Session. 2013-2014. What is Pro Bono Students Canada?. PBSC Mandate. PBSC aims to provide vulnerable communities with legal services free of charge, to provide law students with out-of-the classroom legal experience, and

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PBSC UY Info Session

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  1. PBSC UY Info Session 2013-2014

  2. What is Pro Bono Students Canada?

  3. PBSC Mandate PBSC aims • to provide vulnerable communities with legal services free of charge, • to provide law students with out-of-the classroom legal experience, and • to instill the pro bono ethic in future lawyers from their first day of law school.

  4. PBSC increases access to justice by partnering with: • Not-for-profit Organizations • Legal Clinics and Law Help Centres • Government Agencies • Courts and Tribunals • Lawyers working on Pro Bono files How PBSC Works

  5. General PBSC Training • Westlaw Canada Training (mandatory for 1Ls and UYs on research projects) • Specialized training (if applicable) • Student Agreement Form • 3–5 Hours per Week on Your PBSC Project • On-line, end-of-year survey What am I committing to?

  6. What Do PBSC Volunteers Do? • Legal Research and Writing/Policy Development – more flexibility in terms of hours • Clinical Projects – conduct client intake, provide information to clients, assist with document preparation • Public Presentations – develop and deliver legal information seminars to members of the public who do not have access to lawyers; create plain language documents for the public • Courts and Tribunals – assist self represented litigations attempting to navigate the legal system

  7. + The Envisioning Global LGBTRightsProject • A multi-disciplinary project with a broad mandate to document discrimination against sexual minorities abroad. • Project goals include facilitating the development and enhancement of LGBT rights by supporting international partners and activists with legal and social research.

  8. + 8 How does the Envisioning Project work? • The Envisioning Project has 3 subcommittees: Africa, the Caribbean, and India. Students will be assigned to their first choice where possible. • Students will develop reports on their jurisdiction and assist foreign legal challenges by providing research assistance (including comparative constitutional law). • Ben Vandorpe is the Volunteer Coordinator for 2013/2014; he is also a returning student researcher.

  9. + 9 Envisioning Timeline • Mandatory Envisioning training will be held on either Sept 27th or Oct 3rd (Date TBD). November September • Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13. • Formal monitoring occurs from the 11th - 15th. October December • Mandatory WestLaw Training. • Assigned to subcommittees by October 5th. • Break for Exams.

  10. + 10 Envisioning Timeline • Subcommittees will reconvene by January 20th. March January • Attend the Final Appreciation Event. • Students should wrap up their work by March 31st. February April • Break for Exams. • Formal monitoring occurs during the week of February 24th. March

  11. + The Class ActionsProject • Help set the foundation for a new project to be launched in Sept 2014 • Year 1: Research potential class action files, perform legal research related to the project (e.g. cy presorders) • Year 2: Work on a class action file with lawyers from a partner firm to be identified

  12. Many other projects do not require a specialized application, but are nonetheless just for Upper-Year students • Why Upper-Years? • These projects are generally more hands-on, require advanced LRW, or involve working with a marginalized community • Legal information vs. Legal advice Projects Exclusively for Upper Year Students

  13. METRACA community-based, not-for-profit organization committed to preventing violence against diverse women and youth

  14. Research and Writing Component • One student will provide an article or research memoranda on a topic of use to survivors of intimate partner violence and woman abuse for the Ontario Women’s Justice Network website • The student will gain skills in legal research and writing, as well as experience in social justice, feminist theory and anti-oppression work • Public Legal Education Component • Two upper year female students will prepare and provide PLE workshops at women’s shelters in the Toronto area • The workshops will cover various aspects of the law that the women are likely to encounter • Students will gain skills in preparing PLE seminars and public speaking, as well as receiving specialized training in anti-oppression work and issues faced by women who have experienced intimate partner violence METRAC

  15. Here are a few other examples: • Ontario Deputy Judges Association (ODJA) Legal Internship • PROS/All Saints Drop-In Legal Information Volunteer • Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) Legal Internship • Justice for Children and Youth Legal (JFCY) Intern Program Projects Exclusively for Upper Year Students

  16. Download the General Application Form from our website • Rank projects in terms of preference • Include a CV • Important Deadlines: Applications are due by e-mail to the Program Coordinators at probono.students@utoronto.ca by WED. SEPTEMBER 18 at 5pm. • An electronic signature is acceptable! How do I Apply?

  17. Award-winning program developed in 1998 in order to provide support and assistance to individuals who cannot afford legal services and who do not have access to legal aid • Under supervision of Legal Aid Ontario lawyers, students help unrepresented litigants navigate the family law justice system by drafting their court documents and providing them with legal information Family Law Program (FLP)

  18. How does the FLP work? • Work under the supervision of Legal Aid Ontario lawyers at one of three Ontario Courts of Justice: North York, 311 Jarvis, Brampton • One four hour shift per week • Provide legal information and draft court documents • Gain client interviewing and drafting skills • Gain exposure to the family law justice system and court procedure • Network with advice and duty counsel and family law judges • Promote access to justice in the family law system

  19. The FLP is an incredibly rewarding experience because of the impact that it has on low-income families and the access to justice crisis in the family law system. As Justice Harvey Brownstone has noted, “the improved clarity, accuracy, and relevance of documents filed by student-assisted litigants is of enormous benefit in our efforts to provide fairness, efficiency, and due process to all litigants.”

  20. FLP Timeline November September October • Applications due September 13; decisions made by September 20; • Full day training on Saturday, September 28 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • One sessions on substantive family law to be held during lunch hour in September, date TBA • Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13 December • Break for Exams • Students start volunteering at courts

  21. FLP Timeline March January February • Attend the Final Appreciation Event • Recommence volunteering at courts • Summer employment positions are posted, with interviews to take place during the Faculty OCI process • Judge shadowing April • Break for Exams

  22. Application Process: Students must e-mail a brief application form to flp.toronto@probonostudents.ca by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th. The application form is found here: http://www.law.utoronto.ca/programs-centres/programs/pbsc-pro-bono-students-canada/pbsc-family-law-project/upper-years • Students must commit to one four hour shift per week, as well as two mandatory training sessions, one of which will take place on Saturday, September 28thfrom 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The second training session will be held over lunch hour in September, exact date TBA. Sign me up! How do I Apply?

  23. Originally operated as a PBSC initiative in partnership with the 519 Church Community Centre • Recently expanded to serve Aboriginal clients, individuals that fall within a low income bracket, as well as the original goal of serving members of the Toronto community who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS • 4-5 upper year students • Drafting and reviewing Wills and Powers of Attorney The Wills Project

  24. How does the Wills Project work? • Students will gain hands-on experience as they track client files from initiation to closing.  They will be meeting directly with clients. They will also have individual supervision from a lawyer who provides valuable insight and guidance throughout the file. • Approximately 20 hrs across 2-3 week period • Attend 2 training sessions (one session at BasmanSmith office on Tues Oct 8 and the general PBSC training on Sept 25 or 26) • Students will also be required to plan and put on a Public Legal Education seminar

  25. Wills Timeline November September October • Applications due Fri Sep 13 • PBSC Training on the 25 or 26 • Continue drafting • Break for reading week Nov. 4-8 • Meeting with client and lawyer to execute document • Possibly deliver Public Legal Education seminar December • Break for Exams • Attend mandatory training Oct. 8 1-5pm • Receive client and lawyer match • Intake meeting with client and lawyer • Start drafting

  26. Wills Timeline March January February • Project resumes • New clients assigned if fall semester client completed • Intake meeting with client and lawyer • Attend the Final Appreciation Event • Possibly deliver Public Legal Education Seminar April • Drafting • Break for reading week Feb. 17-21 • Meeting with client and lawyer to execute document • Break for Exams

  27. Application Process: Students must e-mail a cover letter describing their interest and a current resume to willsproject.pbsc@utoronto.ca by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th. • Students must commit to two mandatory training sessions, one of which will take place on Tuesday, October 8thfrom 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sign me up! How do I Apply?

  28. Six Upper-Students work in teams of two to assist unrepresented litigants appearing in front of the Tax Court of Canada • Students help taxpayers navigate the procedures of Tax Court under the supervision of Dentons lawyers (formerly FMC) • The project is restricted to Informal Procedure cases The Tax Court of Canada Advocacy Project

  29. How does the Tax Court Advocacy Project work? • Students meet with the client assigned to them, get the history of the case, obtain relevant and missing documents and a list of witnesses • Students prepare written submissions and conduct the hearing • Lawyer supervisors are present in court observing • After the hearing students complete a Post-Hearing Report

  30. Photo: Jean-Marc Carisse Judges of the Tax Court of Canada

  31. Tax Court Timeline November September October • Apply by September 13 • Attend PBSC Training on September 25 or 26 • Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13 • Students meet with clients and continue to learn about relevant case law December • Attend WestLaw Training on 21st or 22nd • Dentons’ “How to Run a Trial” training session • Students study relevant case law • Break for Exams

  32. Tax Court Timeline March January February • Begin substantive work to prepare for hearing (written submissions, etc.) • Attend the Final Appreciation Event • Fill out End-of-Year Survey April • Students make themselves available for formal monitoring with the Volunteer Coordinator • Break for Exams

  33. Qualifications: • Income Tax Law pre OR co-req • Litigation experience strongly preferred • Important Deadlines: • Submit cover letter detailing interest and CV to krystyna.drywa@probonostudents.ca by Fri. Sept 13 at 5pm. • Also Seeking a French-speaking Volunteer Coordinator: • Contact person for PBSC students, regular check-ins to ensure teams meet with clients in timely manner, draft submissions and prepare for hearings • Works with Program Manager to ensure smooth running of program “Ain’t No Party like a Tax Club Party.” How do I Apply?

  34. The MLST Advocacy Project provides unrepresented complainants with assistance before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board • HPARB deals with appeals of complaints that have been dismissed by the Complaints Committees of the Colleges of various regulated health professions in Ontario, including doctors, dentists, and nurses • The project provides an important access to justice service, as many of the complainants are self-represented and face experienced counsel • The project is amazing hands-on experience, especially for students that may be interested in health law or tribunal/admin work The Medico-Legal Society of Toronto Advocacy Project (MLST)

  35. How does the MLST advocacy project work? • Students are placed in groups of 2 or 3 and are assigned a file to handle from start to finish, including client interviews, research, a pre-review conference, drafting, the oral hearing before HPARB, and follow-up with the client after the decision is issued • Students will work with a legal supervisor and a physician supervisor to build their case, and also have the volunteer coordinator as a resource • There are also training sessions in the fall semester, including advocacy and how to read medical records

  36. MLST Timeline November September October • Applications due Wed September 18th • Volunteer selection and file assignment thereafter • Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13 • Conduct preliminary research and begin drafting • Hold PRC, schedule hearing December • Training session Oct 4. • Meet with team and supervisors • Intake meeting with client • Schedule PRC • Break for Exams

  37. MLST Timeline March January February • Attend the Final Appreciation Event • Hearing (February or March) • Project resumes • Continue researching and drafting • Mock hearings April • Mock hearings • Hearing (February or March) • Break for Exams • Follow-up with client after decision issued

  38. Application Process: • Interested students should apply directly to the Volunteer Coordinator (Madlyn Axelrod) via email at mlst.pbsc@utoronto.ca, with a cover letter and resume • Important Deadlines: • Applications are due on Wednesday September 18 at 12pm. • Please note students must be available for mandatory MLST training on Oct 4 in addition to PBSC training. I’m Sold! How do I Apply?

  39. Public legal education on immigration/refugee law and procedure at key Ontario provincial correctional facilities ("detention centres"). •  After training, you and a partner go to the detention centres once a month to present to a group of approximately 4-10 detainees. • Through this project, detainees - an isolated and vulnerable population - gain access to legal information they otherwise would be unable to receive, and you gain first-hand exposure to correctional facilities and immigration/refugee law. The Immigration and Refugee Detention Centres Project (IRDC)

  40. How does the IRDC project work? • You need a background/demonstrated interest in refugee law (e.g. Migration Law or Refugee Law) • Presentation is already prepared, so no research requirement and you will receive training both from Rana Khan at the UNHCR and a lawyer mentor from Refugee Law Office at Legal Aid • VC will assist with scheduling visits, liaising with detention centres • You must have a valid driver’s license, but there is a budget for car rental.

  41. “My experience as a volunteer with PBSC's IRDC project stands out as one of the more challenging and rewarding commitments I made as a law student. It's a unique opportunity to bring valuable legal information to individuals who are detained and facing the possibility of deportation, more often than not without having had the benefit of any legal advice or information. It is an important program I was privileged to be a part of during the three years I was at U of T Law.” – Janet McGill, 3L

  42. IRDC Timeline November September October • Attend PBSC training session on Sept. 25 or 26 and specialized IRDC training with Rana Khan at UNHCR on Sep. 27 • Apply for Police clearance • Practice presentations with lawyer mentors • Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13 • Visit to detention centre • Fall monitoring December • Break for Exams

  43. IRDC Timeline March January February • Visit to detention centre • Attend the Final Appreciation Event • Fill out End-of-Year Survey April • Break for Exams • Spring monitoring

  44. Apply through the General Application process (available for download on our website) • Due: Wednesday Sept. 18 • Please note that students must have taken or concurrently take Migration Law/Refugee Law or equivalent course • Students must hold a valid driver’s license and those with vehicles will be preferred • For security clearance reasons, students must be Canadian citizens So How do I Apply?

  45. PBSC at Law Help Ontario provides an opportunity to assist individuals who are involved in civil litigation and can’t afford legal representation. • This year we will be recruiting 20 students at the University of Toronto PBSC at Law Help Ontario

  46. How does the Civil Litigation project work? • Volunteers will be assigned a weekly 3 hour shift (either morning or afternoon) based on their availability at the 393 University Centre office, which is focused on litigation issues at the Superior Court of Justice. • Volunteers interview clients, identify legal issues, and assist lawyers in providing legal support to the clients. • Volunteers assist with drafting legal documents and correspondence under the guidance of a lawyer.

  47. "Volunteering at Law Help Ontario has been the most practical learning experience I have had during Law School.  I was exposed to every aspect of litigation, including meeting clients and helping lawyers draft pleadings, motions and affidavits.  More importantly, volunteering at LHO is a great way to make a meaningful impact in the lives of unrepresented litigants."  Student volunteer, 3L

  48. Law Help Timeline November September October • Attend the Community Building Event on Nov. 13 • Applications Due Sept. 13 • PBSC General Training 25 or 26 • Training Session Sept. 27, 1-4pm • Shifts Begin Sept. 30 (tentative) December • Break for Exams

  49. Law Help Timeline March January February • Attend the Final Appreciation Event • Shifts re-start at beginning of winter term April • Break for Exams • Monitoring

  50. Application Process: apply online through the PBSC at Law Help Ontario website: http://www.law.utoronto.ca/programs-centres/programs/pbsc/pro-bono-law-ontario-civil-litigation-project • Important Deadlines: • All applications are due by Friday, September 13, 2013 • Training will take place on September 27th I’m Sold! How do I Apply?

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