​Last updated: September 4, 2024
AMICI CURAIE (AC) FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY – LEGAL FORMS WORKSHOP

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Student volunteers will help British Columbians complete their legal forms over the phone/video conferencing. Students may also be asked to support AC’s client intake by assisting clients with their technology, including conducting 1 on 1 sessions with clients for remote court and tribunal appearance preparation conducted via Teams.

Commitment: 4 hours per week. Students must be available to attend shifts Thursdays between 5-8 PM. (Will be virtual or kamloops local)

Number of Students: 3
 
*Joint Project with UBC and UVic
*Student placements dependent on a phone interview with the organization.
CAEFS - NATIONAL ADVOCACY SUPPORT
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​​Students will work closely with CAEFS regional advocacy teams. The regional advocacy teams work to ensure that people in prison have a robust understanding of the law, rights, and redress systems. This promotes healthy dialogue and productive conflict resolution between frontline staff and incarcerated people. 

Students will assist through working with the advocacy teams in the following ways,
• Support in the documentation of rights-based issues by: inputting advocacy visits notes and voicemails into CAEFS systems
• Assist the Lead Advocate in legal and policy research
• Assist the Lead Advocate in drafting systemic and individual advocacy letters 
​• Code systemic advocacy letters from their region 

Number of Students: 3-4

​**Students who are aligned with CAEFS’ vision and statement of purpose will likely benefit the most from this project. Strong verbal communication is expected. 
CAEFS - RESEARCH, CODING, AND CREATION: SUPPORTING RIGHTS-BASED ADVOCACY IN FEDERAL PRISONS FOR HUMANS IN CANADA
Students will work with CAEFS leadership team to analyze existing and emergent issues in the federal prisons designated for women. They will then research and write memos on these identified issues to be used in CAEFS systemic advocacy and legal work. They will also support with work related to addressing these issues, which may include filing Access to Information Requests, drafting Habeas Corpus Applications, etc. 

​Number of Students: 3-4 

*Upper-years only. 

**Students who have completed Administrative Law are preferred. 

***Students who are aligned with CAEFS’ vision and statement of purpose will likely benefit the most from this project. Strong analytical skills and written communication.
CFBX 92.5FM "THE X" RADIO STATION – PUBLIC LEGAL EDUCATION BROADCAST
Working in teams, student volunteers will research and prepare one thirty-minute radio show on the legal topic of their choosing. This is a joint project in collaboration with UVic PBSC Chapter, so each group of students will be comprised of students from both Chapters. 

Students, with the supervising lawyer, will choose a research question, area of law, or issue and will prepare and record a show that explains the current state of the law surrounding that topic. The shows will solely contain a legal information session. As well, it will be important that students explain the law without providing legal advice; and do so in plain language that is accessible and digestible for the ‘everyday listener.’
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Number of Students: 3

**Note: Three separate broadcasts will be created: one will be devoted to a general access to justice issue, one to a criminal justice issue, and one to a family law issue.
​COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINIC OPERATING SOCIETY OF BC - RENTING ON RESERVE 
The Community Legal Clinic Operating Society of BC’s purpose is to provide community members access to justice in the Okanagan Thompson area by providing free quality legal services and education to the community with a trauma informed approach.  

​​ Students will conduct research on the relevant legislation and case law, creating an information sheet using plain language. The information sheet will be used by the organization to provide to community members about their rights renting on First Nations lands.

Number of Students: 2

*Interest in Tenancy and Housing Rights an asset
COMMUNITY LEGAL CLINIC OPERATING SOCIETY OF BC - NAVIGATING THE FAMILY LAW ACT
The Community Legal Clinic Operating Society of BC’s purpose is to provide community members access to justice in the Okanagan Thompson area by providing free quality legal services and education to the community with a trauma informed approach.  

​​ Students will conduct research on the relevant legislation and case law, creating an information sheet using plain language. The information sheet will be used to help the organization’s clients when navigating family law disputes.

Number of Students: 2
​COPSIPE - HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
COPSIPE is currently involved in public interest litigation at the BC Human Rights Tribunal challenging the systemic discrimination immigrant physicians face when undertaking the process to apply or work as resident physicians. Volunteers will support COPSIPE in their active litigation by researching relevant case law and writing memos on topics selected by COPSIPE.

Number of Students: 1

*Upper-years only. 

**Students who have completed Administrative Law and/or Human Rights Law are strongly preferred. 

***Because the position requires the student provide litigation support, we ask that only those who are strongly committed to the placement, have strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines apply. The final work must be of a high quality and received by the organization with no delays. 
FACL BC - EQUITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
FACL BC promotes equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian Canadian legal professionals and the broader community. FACL BC fosters advocacy, community involvement, legal scholarship, and professional development. 

In 2023-2024, student volunteers developed a 17 page report (the “Report”) regarding the lack of diversity and representation in the legal industry. These materials will be used by FACL BC to increase awareness of racial discrimination in law and guide future initiatives.  
 This year, we will ask student volunteers to assist with developing an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion guidelines and template policy (the “Template”) for FACL BC to offer to law firms and other related organizations.
 These materials will be used by FACL to increase awareness of racial discrimination in law.   

Number of Students: 3-4

*Mix of Upper Years and 1L's
JUSTICE EDUCATION SOCIETY OF BC - FAMILY LAW LIVEHELP
LiveHelp is an instant messaging service available through the Family Law in BC website.  It allows users to ask questions and receive legal information online regarding family law issues.  Students involved in this project will provide remote online support and legal information to these users.  In addition, student will also provide research support to ensure the information used by LiveHelp is current and up to date.  

*Students who have a background, either through work or school, in family law or social justice would be preferred, though this is not a strict requirement.

Number of Students: 4-6

** Joint project with UBC and UVic
2SLGBTQ+ GENDER MARKER AND NAME CHANGE CLINIC
​BC recently removed the medical requirement for changes to gender designations constituting an important step towards respecting the rights of two-spirit, transgender and gender diverse folks.  The right to have identification that matches one’s lived identity, and to have easy access to the legal processes required to align the two, is essential to respecting the dignity of gender-diverse persons.

​Students will work to expand access to rights for transgender, two-spirit and gender diverse folks by assisting to launch a Gender and Name Change ID (or ‘Trans ID’) Clinic in collaboration with the Partner Organizations; and providing client intake and application assistance to folks attending the Clinics.

Number of Students: 3

*Upper-year students preferred. 

**Completion of Community Lawyering is an asset. 

*** Students must be trans allies; demonstrated commitment to trans allyship is an asset. Priority will be given to 2SLGBTQ+ students, particularly transgender students, if they wish to self-identify.
KAMLOOPS IMMIGRANT SERVICES - WORKSHOP SERIES: NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO NAVIGATING HOUSING RIGHTS
KIS often works with newcomers to BC and Canada as they navigate housing. To help KIS serve their clients better, this project will develop a three-part workshop series on tenancy rights: entering, during and ending tenancy.

​Students will research the Residential Tenancy Act, create a slide deck and script to form the basis of each workshop, along with a handout which they will then present in collaboration with KIS. These brochures will be written in plain, accessible English, and will provide local and provincial resources to help direct vulnerable clients. The slide decks and scripts will be engaging and informative to build the foundation of the workshops. 

Number of Students: 5-6
KAMLOOPS SEXUAL ASSAULT COUNSELLING CENTRE - FLA PROTECTION ORDERS VIDEO
The Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre provides support for victims of Intimate Partner
Violence through a variety of services. This project will focus on creating an informational video, to be used by the organization to provide their clients information about applying for a
protection order under the FLA.

Students will be responsible for creating a comprehensive informational video which includes plain language summaries and breakdowns of the relevant legislation, as well as available resources.

Number of Students: 2
KAMLOOPS SEXUAL ASSAULT COUNSELLING CENTRE - SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS GUIDE
The Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre provides support for survivors of sexual assault through a variety of services. This project will focus on creating an informational video, to be used by the organization to provide to community members about navigating the Criminal
Justice System for survivors of sexual offences.
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Students will be responsible for creating a comprehensive informational video which includes
plain language summaries and breakdowns of the relevant legislation, as well as available resources.

Number of Students: 2
KAMLOOPS SOCIETY FOR COMMUNITY INCLUSION - MAID RESEARCH REPORT
The Kamloops Society for Community Inclusion advocates for their clients, either folks with developmental disabilities, or loved ones of those with developmental disabilities by providing information and resources to promote their empowerment. This research project will outline and summarize relevant laws and case law relating to Medical Assistance In Dying (MAID) in Canada, looking specifically into the requirements, legal standards, and surrounding ethical considerations. 
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​​Students will create an internal research report for KSCI, including an outline, summaries of relevant laws and cases, a glossary of legal terms in plain language, as well as in depth analysis on key concepts

Number of Students: 3-4
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION OF BC - RESEARCH SUPPORT
The goal of this project is to support restorative justice work throughout the province by addressing the legal research needs/resources of many different organizations through a centralized restorative justice research database. Pending sign-off from partner organizations, the legal resources created by PBSC student volunteers will then be available to other restorative justice organizations in BC and the communities they serve. This may be achieved via email circulation or via a webpage on the Restorative Justice Association of BC website.  

Number of Students: 3

*Previous work or experience with restorative justice would be an asset
 
**Joint Project with UVic and UBC. ​
LEVEL JUSTICE: INDIGENOUS YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAM
​IYOP is a justice education and mentorship program for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth aged 11-18. Youth work with justice sector volunteers on fun and engaging activities that teach them about the Canadian criminal justice system while incorporating Indigenous pedagogy, including smudging feasting, Elder teachings, and a focus on restorative justice.  ​ 

The project will involve supporting online/remote or in-person justice education sessions for Level’s Indigenous Youth Outreach Program (IYOP). It will feature two components: (i) assisting in leading and delivering justice education and mock trials for youth (ii) researching and drafting new mock trial scenarios (iii) drafting of a Cultural Humility reflection on your work with IYOP throughout the school year.

Number of Students: 4-6

*Given the demographic served, students should be comfortable working with youth.
SOUTH ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC OF BC - CLIENT INTAKE ASSISTANCE
​​SALC BC lawyers and legal advocate provide low-barrier and culturally sensitive legal support for low-income South Asian families. The Clinic provides a weekly clinic to support clients on limited summary advice files relating to a variety of legal matters: family law, child protection, wills and estates, tenancy rights, employment rights, discrimination, etc.

One upper year student will work with the Legal Advice Clinic to provide client intake assistance and support.​ 

Number of Students: 1

*Upper years only.

​**Given the demographic served, there is a strong preference for a student(s) who can speak/read/write to some extent in a South Asian language or have some familiarity with South Asian culture.​

****Familiarity with the barriers that constrain South Asian people in BC and recent immigrants from accessing justice. Ability to keep these constraints in mind when drafting the legal fact sheets.

*****Must be comfortable using MS Office or other comparable program. Able to write confidently in accessible language.
SOUTH ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC OF BC - LEGAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP: PARENTING AFTER SEPARATION
SALC aims to provide free and accessible legal information on parenting after separation to low-
income South Asian families in the Lower Mainland, in the form of a workshop. The Parenting
After Separation Workshop will be a support for SALC BC clients know their rights in these situations.

Number of Students: 2

*Given the demographic served, there is a strong preference for a student(s) who can speak/read/write to some extent in a South Asian language or have some familiarity with South Asian culture.​

***Familiarity with the barriers that constrain South Asian people in BC and recent immigrants from accessing justice. Ability to keep these constraints in mind when drafting the legal fact sheets.

****Must be comfortable using MS Office or other comparable program. Able to write confidently in accessible language.

Inter-Generational Network on the Effects of Genocide (INEG) AND Le Estcwicwé y̓ (the Missing):
Residential Schools and Genocide

Students will contribute to Le Estcwicwéy̓’s ongoing work with a database concerning the discovery of unmarked graves at Kamloops residential school.  Students will also have the privilege and responsibility to hear and record the stories of Kamloops Indian residential school survivors. Using these (anonymized) stories, students will create a research memo (as a group) on how the residential school system constituted genocide under the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) and related findings.
 
The project will be completed in three phases:
 
During the first phase of this project, the students will do preliminary research on genocide, residential schools, and the intergenerational impacts of genocide, with a view to creating an initial exploratory memo that will serve as the basis for the final research memo. The students will also prepare a written guide for the interview sessions with residential school survivors and a debrief pamphlet setting out resources for survivors and students if they feel triggered by the work.
 
During the second phase of the project, students will schedule and complete 1 or 2 sessions to hear the survivors’ stories. The Inter-Generational Network on the Effects of Genocide (INEG) will work with students to collect the “genocide stories” (as one survivor calls it) of their experiences at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This will involve meeting in teams (preferably of one indigenous and non-indigenous student) with a survivor to share their story. This account will then be written up for the survivor for their use and to be shared as they instruct, any information used for the analysis above will be anonymized. Students will create written records of survivors’ stories, which will be provided in a physical, bound form to the survivors for personal use. NOTE: Students will be required to attend mandatory trauma-informed lawyering training before conducting these sessions.
 
During the third phase of this project, students will complete their legal research from the first phase using the preliminary research and memo as a starting point. The final deliverable will be a research memo on their findings regarding how the survivors’ stories reflect themes of genocide.
 
Throughout the duration of this project, students will assist with data-entry for TteS. The work with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc will involve confidential data entry into a new database used in the context of unmarked graves. Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc was the first indigenous group to uncover unmarked graves of Indigenous children at a former Indian Residential School. This happened in late May 2021 and the eyes of the world have been on Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the former Kamloops Indian residential school. Since then they have announced the interim findings from the first phase of their investigation, le Estcwicwéy̓ Co-Director Jeannette Jules, indicated that this is just the beginning and the work is still ongoing. It will be a real privilege for TRU Law Students to be involved in this work.
 
Additional training will be provided to student volunteers on this project, including intensive training on trauma-informed lawyering. Details will be confirmed later and students will not be asked to miss class time for this training.

Number of Students: 2-4

*1Ls and upper-years welcome.
 
**Students who can make a 2-year commitment to this project are particularly encouraged to apply, but all students are welcome.
 
***Students with previous experience working with vulnerable populations preferred. 

TRU LAW - WILLS CLINIC

​​Less than one-third (30 percent) of Canadians say they have an estate plan. Less than half (48 percent) of Canadians have a Will. Many of the Canadians who do not have a Will are low-income individuals who are unable to afford the services of a lawyer to prepare a Will for them. Many do not have a Will because they are unaware of its importance and/or intimidated by the legal process and avoid seeking out assistance as a result. ​

​TRU PBSC’s Wills Clinic will provide free Wills and Powers of Attorney to low income eligible clients. PBSC volunteers will have the opportunity to assist with the development and launch of the wills clinic, and eventually host clinics. Students will meet with eligible clients, draft Wills and Powers of Attorney, and execute the final documents. Clinics may also offer educational workshops on Wills and POAs.​ 
Number of Students: 3
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*1L's and upper-year students welcome. 

**Completion of Wills & Estates, or Community Lawyering, an asset. 

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