Clinic Assistance

Partner Organization: Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS)
Project Name: Client Intake
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
Students will assist with the intake of clients at KBCLS. Students will be trained on the types of law that callers need information on and KBCLS intake procedures. Students will then provide the callers with legal information, referrals, or gather the information needed to process the intake.

Role of Student Volunteer: 
The students will be performing general intake duties under the supervision of KBCLS staff. Staff will be available, in person and remotely, to assist students.

Mode of Delivery: In-Person
Prerequisites: None; training provided
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 4 (8 total)

Area of Law: Housing, Administrative, Immigration, Social Assistance, Employment
Communities Served: Homeless & marginally housed; people living in poverty; people living with disabilities & chronic illnesses

Partner Organization: Muslim Legal Support Centre (MLSC)
Project Name: Client Intake & PLE Assistance
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
Students will assist MLSC by connecting potential clients with lawyers who specialize in their specific area of concern, coordinating their sessions, and maintaining updated case statuses and client data.

Role of Student Volunteer:
Assisting with Legal Clinics: Volunteers will actively participate in legal clinics organized by the MLSC. They will support the smooth functioning of the clinics by helping with administrative tasks, ensuring proper documentation, and providing general assistance to clients and lawyers.

Connecting Potential Clients: Volunteers will engage with potential clients who approach the MLSC seeking legal help. They will listen to their concerns, gather relevant information, and assess the nature of their legal needs. Based on this information, volunteers will connect clients with appropriate lawyers from the MLSC's network. Once clients are connected with lawyers, volunteers will be responsible for coordinating their sessions. This includes scheduling appointments, arranging meeting locations (in-person or virtual), and ensuring both parties are well-informed about the session details.

Updating Cases and Client Data: Volunteers will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of Client cases. They will track the progress of each case, record any changes or developments, and ensure that client information remains confidential and secure.

Mode of Delivery: Virtual
Prerequisites: Experience in family, immigration, or employment law is an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1 (3-4 total)

Area of Law: Family law; immigration law; human rights law; employment law
Communities Served: religious minority communities; immigrants, refugees & newcomers; racialized communities

Partner Organization: HAVEN Toronto
Project Name: Drop-In Legal Assistance
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
Three student volunteers will provide legal information during the drop-in. The student will gather any legal questions and will spend the following 1-2 weeks researching the question. The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and then the student will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver legal information only (likely this will occur on a subsequent drop-in session). 

In addition, the student can deliver one presentation during the placement, on a legal issue to be chosen with the organization/drop-in clients. The student may produce written materials to be distributed to interested individuals who are unable to attend the sessions.

Role of Student Volunteer: See above.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; Regularly scheduled shifts (flexible)
Prerequisites: None; sensitivity working with precariously housed individuals is considered an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1 (3 total)

Area of Law: Human Rights law, Criminal Law, Clinics
Communities Served: Marginally Housed; Seniors; Self-represented litigants

Partner Organization: All Saints
Project Name: Drop-In Legal Information Clinic
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: All Saints Church – Community Centre is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment while enhancing the well-being of homeless and street-involved individuals. The All Saints’ Drop-in is a safe, non-judgmental place where people can have coffee, rest, use washroom facilities, see a nurse or social worker, eat a hot meal, and access telephone, Wi-Fi, and computer services.

Role of Student Volunteer: Student volunteers will gather legal questions at the Drop-In and spend the following 1-2 weeks researching the questions (e.g. working on the streets, how the law differentiates sex work and trafficking, navigating criminal justice system, etc.). The lawyer supervisor will approve the accuracy of the information, and the student will follow up with the client to deliver the legal information (not advice). 

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid (in-person shifts at the drop-in; remote research)
Prerequisites: None; sensitivity working with vulnerable populations
Eligibility: Open to All Years
Number of Placements: 1 (2 total)

Area of Law: Human Rights Law; Criminal Law
Communities Served: marginally housed; domestic violence survivors; racialized communities

Partner Organization: Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (BSCC)
Project Name: Family Court Support Program Placement
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 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 (M/T/Th/F). Each day, clients may drop in, may be attending court, or may have appointments by phone. Court Support Workers provide legal information, referrals, safety planning and support at the three Toronto family courts (311 Jarvis St., 361 University Ave, 47 Sheppard Ave). 

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 Volunteer: 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 and debrief with clients.

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.Occasionally 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

Mode of Delivery: In-Person; The project is designed for students to attend the Toronto Family Courts (311 Jarvis St./361 University Ave./47 Sheppard Ave.) 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.
Prerequisites: Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary; past work with survivors of violence is an asset; Students enrolled in UofT’s Barbra Schlifer Clinical Program are not eligible for this placement.
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1 (3 total)

Area of Law: Family law, with some intersecting issues in immigration and criminal law
Communities Served: Domestic violence survivors; women; racialized communities

Partner Organization: Willowdale Community Legal Services (WCLS) 
Project Name: Immigration Law Placement
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
Students are requested to make a two-year commitment to this project, which aims to increase the clinic’s outreach and PLE activities and student involvement in the clinic. In recognition of the volunteer nature of the commitment we acknowledge that this is a request and not a requirement.

First Year:

• One student will provide research for case-files or participate in client intake meetings.
• If needed, the student will work and perform supervised outreach and Public Legal Education (PLE) seminars on topics related to Immigration.
• Students are encouraged to communicate their interests to WCLS in terms of Immigration, such as research or outreach.

Second Year:

• Up to two students (one continuing from first year) will provide research support and/or other file work (i.e. helping fill forms/documents) under the close supervision of lawyers.
• If a student meets with a client to provide information specific to the client’s case, all answers will be scripted by the lawyer who will be on-site. Should any questions arise necessitating follow-up, they will be referred to the supervising lawyer.
• Students may also have the opportunity to shadow a lawyer representing a client before an administrative tribunal.

Role of Student Volunteer: See above and project description PDF for more details.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; Project deliverables will be completed remotely; initial training and possible PLEs may be in-person or virtual
Prerequisites: None; prospective volunteers are requested to make a two-year commitment to the project
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1 (2 total)

Area of Law: Poverty; Immigration & Refugee; Constitutional
Communities Served: Immigrants, refugees & newcomers; people living with disabilities & chronic illnesses; racialized communities
 

Partner Organization: Korean Legal Clinic (KLC)
Project Name: Clinic and Research Project
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
KLC strives to improve access to justice by tackling the cultural, linguistic, and economic barriers. KLC provides referral services, organizes public legal education (“PLE”) seminars, and undertakes special projects to address specific issues.

Students will assist with the intake process, spot legal issues, and connect the inquirer to a referral lawyer or paralegal. Proficiency in Korean is required for this task. 

Student volunteers will support PLE seminars by researching relevant legal topics for the low-income Korean community and creating presentations for lawyers to present. Topics may include wills & estates (fall) and employment law (winter).

Role of Student Volunteer: 
Monitor KLC inbox, assist with intake and legal referral process, and create public legal education.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Prerequisites: Korean-identifying or speaking students will be given priority
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1

Area of Law: Immigration & Refugee; Family; Wills & Estates; Employment
Communities Served: Racialized communities; immigrants, refugees, & newcomers; self-represented litigants

Partner Organization: WoodGreen Community Services
Project Name: Newcomer Drop-In Legal Information Clinic 
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
The Newcomer Drop-In Legal Information Clinic will pilot a bi-weekly clinic during the 2026 Winter Term (January – March 2026) to provide low-income newcomers with direct legal information assistance. This initiative aims to enhance legal support for immigrants and refugees by streamlining legal application processes. Examples of supports include:

• Preparing Basis of Claim (BOC) forms
• ODSP Appeal Documentation
• PR card/work-permit renewals
• Sponsorship applications

The Fall term (October – November 2025) will be used to prepare the templates and educational resources required for the student clinic. The goal is to launch the clinic during the Winter term.

Fall Term: Clinic Tool Development (October – November 2025)
Students will create a Legal Resource Hub with the required documents, including intake forms, referral pamphlets, step-by-step guides, etc. Students will establish the clinic processes and may assist with outreach materials.

Winter Term: Clinic Launch (January – March 2026)
Student volunteers and lawyer supervisors will lead a bi-weekly clinic in-person (exact dates TBD; likely Fridays, 10 AM – 2 PM) to support 6-10 clients per session. Student volunteers will be assigned a maximum of two (2) clients at any one time unless they have the express consent of the lawyer supervisor to take on more than two clients.

The Supervising Lawyers will alternate bi-weekly attendance at the Clinic. The Organization Contact will ensure to schedule clients or facilitate drop-ins based on the available lawyer’s expertise:

• Cathryn Sawicki – Citizenship and Immigration Law
• Robert Blanshay – Refugee and Immigration Law

Students will provide legal information to clients during the drop-in and collect any legal questions that require further examination. During the “off-weeks” from the clinic, students will research the question and draft an answer for the client. The lawyer supervisors will approve the accuracy of the information and then the student will set up a phone call or in-person meeting with the client to deliver the legal information (may occur at a subsequent Clinic session).

Role of Student Volunteer:
Fall Term (October – November 2025): Support development of templates and tools to be used in the Clinic. Establish Clinic processes for launch in January.

Winter Term (January – March 2026): Attend bi-weekly clinics to provide clients with legal information and gather legal questions requiring research. Conducting follow-up research and drafting an answer for clients. Obtaining lawyer supervisor approval and communicating answers to clients.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid; In-person clinic work in the Winter and virtual in the Fall
Prerequisites: None; experience in a non-profit or immigrant serving organization is an asset; high-level of sensitivity, initiative, and problem-solving is an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years; Upper year project leads preferred.
Number of Placements: 3-4 students total; 1-2 Project Leads

Area of Law: Immigration, Refugee, Citizenship
Communities Served: Immigrants, refugees & newcomers; racialized communities; self-represented litigants

Partner Organization: Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS)
Project Name: ODSP Disability Appeal Project
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
Providing assistance on appeals of Ontario Disability Support Program application denials.

Role of Student Volunteer: 
Students will assist with drafting and filing Internal Review requests and appeals to the Social Benefits Tribunal, conducting client interviews, and reviewing case files. 

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Prerequisites: None; students will receive training
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: No available placements (2 total)

Area of Law: Administrative law – ODSP Act and Regulations, OW Act and Regulation, Personal Health Information Protection Act, etc.
Communities Served: people living with disabilities & chronic illnesses; people living in poverty; people living with mental health challenges

Partner Organization: Matthew House
Project Name: Refugee Hearing Preparation Program
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
The Matthew House Refugee Hearing Preparation Program’s goal is to support individuals prepare for their Refugee Hearing to increase the chances of a successful outcome. The program is run by well trained volunteers many of whom are lawyers and even retired IRB members. These volunteers play the role of “Board Members” and question the claimants based on their actual Basis of Claim (BOC) narrative submitted several weeks earlier. While there is no “counsel” present, a Hearing Supervisor sits in the room during the simulation and serves as a liaison between the volunteer adjudicator and the claimant and facilitates the feedback and interaction.

Role of Student Volunteer: 
Students will observe client mock hearings, liaise with the adjudicator, provide information to clients about the hearing process, and to assist in the expansion of the mock hearing service offered by Matthew House across various Canadian cities. In particular their duties will include: 

• Being the voluntary supervisor at hearings 
• Walking a claimant through the process step by step 
• Providing information about the court process to clients 
• Expanding the project virtually to other cities and what that would involve for students

Students will act as volunteer supervisors at the beginning stages of their placement. Supervisors are asked to observe three sessions before leading a session on their own. Students are expected to transition into volunteer adjudicators for at least one session at the end of their placement. They will be responsible for facilitating the session. 

Mode of Delivery: Virtual; students will attend scheduled mock hearings on agreed-upon dates 
Prerequisites: Strong communication skills is an asset
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 2-3 (6-8 total)

Area of Law: Immigration and Refugee Law
Communities Served: Immigrants, refugees, and newcomers; self-represented litigants; linguistic minorities

Partner Organization: Friends of Ruby
Project Name: Trans ID Clinic
Full Project Description.

Brief Description: 
The Trans ID Clinic provides free legal information, form-filling services and referrals in a learning space that strives to be trans-positive, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and inclusive. Launched in 2017 in Toronto with SKETCH Working Arts and Blakes, the Trans ID Clinic now runs in partnership with other local organizations in Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Windsor, Toronto, and Fredericton. 

PBSC law student volunteers and lawyer supervisors will work collaboratively to assist trans and gender diverse individuals with obtaining new pieces of identification. Initial intake is managed by Friends of Ruby, and all clinic sessions are hosted on pre-approved dates in conjunction with Friends of Ruby and PBSC.

For the 2025-2026 year, we are also planning to host co-working sessions where participants can fill in their forms together, with the assistance of lawyer volunteers and student lawyer volunteers who will be present during the workshop to assist. The goal of this workshop would be to create community support amongst trans youth who share the same goal.

Role of Student Volunteer:
Student volunteers will meet with clients remotely via Zoom or in-person at Friends of Ruby from a private space on clinic dates. Student volunteers may be assigned between 1-2 clinic(s) and 1 co-working session per month depending on the number of clients booking in each clinic session.

Students will assist with filling out gender marker and name change applications for new identification using the Volunteer Training Manual as reference under the supervision of lawyers.

During “off weeks” when the clinic is not running, students will support the research and the drafting of clinic materials, however this will depend on the needs of the clinic. Any materials containing legal information must be reviewed and approved by a supervising lawyer prior to use by the partner organization. Students will also be charged with doing any research on behalf of Clinic clients, though they will not be expected to do any follow-up which requires direct contact with the clients.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid, option for in-person or remote client meetings; Students must attend at least one in-person session 
Prerequisites: The following are considered an asset, though not required: Administrative law; human rights law; clinical placement experience
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1-3 total; 1 project lead and 2 student volunteers

Area of Law: Identification (ID)
Communities Served: Trans and gender diverse individuals; low-income; homeless & marginally housed

Partner Organization: The 519 Community Centre
Project Name: Trans ID Clinic 
Full Project Description.

Brief Description:
The Trans ID Clinic provides free legal information, form-filling services and referrals in a learning space that strives to be trans-positive, non-judgmental, anti-oppressive and inclusive. PBSC law student volunteers and lawyer supervisors work collaboratively to assist trans and gender diverse individuals with obtaining new pieces of identification.

The Trans ID Clinic also hosts a monthly Guided Trans ID Self-Help Program and drop in for non 1:1 clients, community members, and service providers to come and learn how the name change process works, additional self-help resources, and guidance. Starts in October - March (3rd Monday of each month).

The Trans ID Clinic also works in conjunction with the 519 Notary Clinic, which operates twice a month starting in October - March (2nd and 4th Mondays of each month) to provide commissioning services for Name Changes and other related applications.

Role of Student Volunteer: 
Student Trainings will take place the first week of October 6-10th .

Students will meet with clients virtually (Teams or Zoom). There is also the opportunity for students to meet with clients at the 519. During the meeting, they will assist clients to fill in name change and gender marker applications. Students are not permitted to give out their personal contact information to clinic clients and will be provided with a 519 email address instead.

Student volunteers will be expected to meet with the partner organization three times per semester to provide and update and seek guidance as needed. Student volunteers should take the initiative to schedule pre-determined meeting times with the partner organization contact at the outset of their placement.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in the monthly Guided program as well as the bi-monthly Notary Clinics on rotation. Student volunteers will not be expected to volunteer during the month of December, however if they have the interest and availability to do so they will notify the organization contact.

Mode of Delivery: Hybrid
Prerequisites: Experience with administrative law, human rights law, or clinic placement is considered an asset 
Eligibility: Open to all years
Number of Placements: 1-2 (6 total)

Area of Law: Administrative law; human rights law
Communities Served: Trans and gender diverse individuals; LGBTQ+; low-income