Quebec

Centres de justice de proximité

The Provincial Minister of Justice, The Quebec Bar, The Chambre des notaires du Québec and SOQUIJ are funding three Centres de justice de proximité in Rimouski, Quebec City and Montreal as a 3-year pilot project (until March 31, 2013). These walk-in clinics provide free legal information to the public in any area of the law. The Centers also provide referrals to existing resources in the community. Pro Bono Québec, the provincial pro bono organization, operates the Center located in Montreal.

Duty Counsel Programs

Pro Bono Québec, in partnership with other organizations, provide free legal assistance to unrepresented litigants in front of the following courts

Cases of public interest

Pro Bono Québec provides free legal representation to low-income litigants who are not eligible to Legal Aid and are involved in cases of public interest or cases where they could suffer permanent harm.

Pro Bono Partnerships

Pro Bono Québec just launched a new program where a community organization is teamed with a law firm that will provide free legal services to its members/clientele.

The Young Bar Association of Montreal (YBAM)

Founded in 1898, this non-profit organization represents more than 4 200 lawyers with 10 years or less of practice, registered in the Montreal area. Their members offer many legal services to the public

Tax Advocacy Project (UdeM, McGill, Sherbrooke)

PBSC partners with Dentons to provide assistance to unrepresented appellants appearing before the Tax Court of Canada. The project enables law students, under the careful supervision of Dentons tax litigators, to gain practical experience representing individual, low-income taxpayers before the TCC. Working in teams to represent appellants in the informal procedure (claims under $25,000), students meet with their clients, gather evidence, prepare their arguments, and appear before the Court.

PBSC Wills Project (UdeM, McGill, UQAM, Laval, Sherbrooke)

The Wills Project is a longstanding PBSC project, whose purpose is to help seniors access information about drafting Wills and Testaments, as well as assisting with the drafting of a client’s Will. The project enables students to learn valuable client interview and management skills, while giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge outside of a classroom setting.