Training for Legal Advocates – History and Legacy of Residential Schools

Events

blog_clbc_iclcMarch 17, 2016 Update: This event has SOLD OUT. Please subscribe to the blog to get the latest updates on new training opportunities for legal advocates and other front-line workers.

Understanding the history and legacy of residential schools can be a key component in understanding your client if you work with Indigenous clients, either directly or indirectly.

This free webinar is designed for both advocates and lawyers who would like to gain a better understanding of residential schools in Canada and the ongoing impact on clients.

Our presenter, Patricia Barkaskas, Academic Director of the Indigenous Community Legal Clinic will provide an overview of residential schools in Canada, some key points advocates and lawyers should be aware of when working with Indigenous clients and what some of the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Report might mean in your day-to-day work with clients. Patricia has worked closely with Indigenous peoples in their encounters with the justice system and has worked for residential school survivors as an historical legal researcher for the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

Sign up for this free webinar while there’s still space:

Wednesday March 30, 2016 from 12:30-1:30pm (PDT). Register here.

Introducing Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

Community posts

bwss_logoBy Vicky Law
Lawyer & Legal Advocacy Program Coordinator

For the past 26 years, BWSS has had a Legal Advocacy Program because we know that for women leaving abusive relationships, the complication of dealing with the power and control issues of a violent spouse makes dealing with legal system more difficult. Some women give up and stay with their abuser because it is easier than leaving.

Our Legal Advocacy program has expanded this year. Here is an updated list of the legal services we offer. Click on the yellow icons for more details about each service within the Clicklaw HelpMap.

01_Clicklaw_30px Full representation – Legal Advocacy Program

Approximately 80% of the women who access our services do not have legal representation because they are ineligible for government funded legal aid and cannot afford a private lawyer.

We will take on full representation files based on: the current case load, availability of time, the number of law students volunteering at BWSS, and the complexity of legal issues. BWSS will also consider if the following applies:

  • The woman has been denied by Legal Services Society for legal representation;
  • The woman has appealed the Legal Services Society’s decision of denial and the appeal was unsuccessful;
  • There are multiple barriers that prevent the woman from self-representation, including language, disability, complexity of legal issues, gender orientation, and impact of trauma;
  • The use of the court system by the abuser as way to intimidate or harass or to continue any form of violence;
  • The inability to privately retain a lawyer, such as financial difficulties; and
  • The legal issue is either a family law, child protection or immigration law matter.

Call 604-687-1867 or 604-687-1868 ext. 307 to apply.

01_Clicklaw_30px Legal Advocacy Workshops

Who & What: For women who have or are experiencing violence in their relationships and require legal support with the resulting family law and other legal issues. Lawyers from the community with experience in family law will facilitate all workshops.

When: Every Thursday, April 7, 2016 – June 9, 2016, from 10am – 12pm

Where: at the BWSS office – call 604-687-1867 for location

01_Clicklaw_30pxFamily Law Clinic

BWSS provides summary legal advice clinics in family law every month with volunteer lawyers from the community. These clinics are able to offer necessary summary legal advice to women on a continuous basis while they are unrepresented in the family law system.

We continue our partnership with Access Pro Bono to provide monthly in-house pro bono clinics in family law.

Call 604-687-1867 for the clinic schedule.

01_Clicklaw_30pxCourt Forms Preparation Clinic

We have partnered with Amici Curiae Paralegal Program to provide assistance to unrepresented women with affidavit drafting in family law proceedings – both Provincial and Supreme Court.

When: Third Wednesday of every month, from 5:45-7:45pm

Where: Call 604-687-1868 ext. 307 for location and appointments

Stay informed with BWSS:

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