This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto Faculty of Law & Lincoln Alexander School of Law.
Name of Organization: Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
Website of Organization: https://schliferclinic.com/
Organization’s Mandate: The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centred approach, we foster the skills and resilience of the people we serve and amplify their voices to create individual and collective change.
The Clinic’s Legal Department provides trauma informed legal advice and representation in the areas of family and immigration/refugee law, supportive legal services in family court, and independent legal advice about legal responses to sexual assault. The Legal Department also supports the Clinic’s advocacy efforts to bring systemic change and reduce barriers to justice for survivors of gender-based violence.
Project Name: Family Court Support Program
Project Type: Client services (court forms, shadowing, mock hearings, intake, legal clinic, etc.)
Project Delivery: In Person. The project is designed for students to attend the Family Courts with Court Support Worker Staff. While most of the work will be in-person at the courts, there is the possibility of remote work at the discretion of the program. The Clinic will also monitor community health protocols and make adjustments accordingly.
Description of Project: Students will be required to remotely attend a mandatory Clinic orientation session at an arranged time before their Clinic placement begins.
The Family Court Support Program is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Ordinarily Clinic staff are Court-based 4 days per week and meet with clients to provide legal information, referrals, safety planning and support at the three Toronto family courts (311 Jarvis, 361 University, 47 Sheppard). The Clinic administers the English-language Court Support Program in Toronto and makes referrals to the French language Court Support Program (OASIS). The Family Court Support Program staff work with family lawyers, duty counsel, Legal Aid Ontario, shelters, Victim/Witness Assistance Workers, and court staff and other external service providers. Court accompaniment is also sometimes provided.
Role of Student Volunteers: PBSC students will assist the BSCC Court Support Workers, including during intakes, assessments, and safety planning. Students will complete other tasks under the direct supervision and guidance of the BSCC Court Support Workers, including:
• Supporting with client intakes;
• Assisting with follow-up calls to clients;
• Supporting Family Court Support Workers with writing up and organizing client notes;
• Researching referrals to specialized services and community supports; and,
• Supporting Family Court Support Workers with client court accompaniments, including, where appropriate, meetings with lawyers.
Students will not provide legal advice or assistance with pleadings but will be exposed to the court system and where appropriate provide court accompaniment which typically involves the opportunity to sit in on legal proceedings and take notes.
At the beginning of each semester, students will be asked their availability for attending a 3-5 hour weekly shift between the hours of 9AM-5PM to correspond with the hours at the three Toronto courthouses.
The family courts are providing services both in-person and remotely. Student work may involve both in-person and remote court attendance for scheduled proceedings.
It is possible that court attendance will not be possible every day throughout the placement. In the alternative, students may be asked to attend work with their assigned Court Support Worker at the Clinic’s offices or remotely.
Role of Supervising Lawyer(s): The supervising lawyer will review student work as reported by their Court Support Worker. The supervising lawyer will be available to answer any questions the students may have and will assign work to the students in collaboration with the BSCC Court Support Workers and Court Support Program Coordinator. Court Support Workers will provide direct guidance and support to students for all client intake and client contact.
Type of Law: Family law, with some intersecting issues in immigration and criminal law
Main Project Deliverable: Completing client intake and assistance (e.g. completing client intake, providing client referrals, helping clients with their ID documents, etc.)
Number of Student Placements: 3 students
Hours per week the student volunteer(s) will be expected to work: Students are expected to work one shift per week of 3-5 consecutive hours. Shifts will usually be on location at one of the three family courts in Toronto (2 downtown; 1 in North York). Remote work may be possible on occasion.
Regular shifts or a flexible schedule: Based on student schedules, a regular weekly work schedule will be determined with the Family Court Support Program Coordinator. Students will be assigned to a Court Support Worker one day each week to assist with court and client work. Students are not expected to attend court during the exam period. Students should advise the Coordinator of any absences in advance or as soon as possible.
Is there a workspace provided for the student at the Organization: Yes, when needed. For the Family Court Support Program, student placements will generally occur at Toronto courthouses, subject to public health policy and university/faculty directives. If court attendance is not possible, attendance at the Clinic may be arranged.
Devices and technologies the students will be required to have: Computer, phone, internet, MS word.
Is there an expectation for the student(s) to be bilingual: No, but additional languages are a great asset.
Law School Pre-Requisites: Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. Past work with survivors of violence would be an asset.
Students enrolled in University of Toronto Law School’s Barbra Schlifer Clinical Program and students enrolled in the Osgoode Hall Law School Feminist Advocacy Program are not eligible for this placement.
Other Requirements or Expectations: N/A