Access Pro Bono – Wills Clinic Training

accessprobono2CLBC_logo_micro

Are you a lawyer (or do you know a lawyer) interested in volunteering with the Access Pro Bono Wills Clinic (scroll to Wills & Estates Program), but don’t have much experience with drafting wills and personal planning documents? Access Pro Bono and Courthouse Libraries BC are hosting 2 training sessions to help you get started!

You can participate in these training sessions for free from anywhere in the province. In-person sessions will be held in Vancouver and Victoria, or you can watch the webinars from any place with a computer and an internet connection. Plus each session counts for CPD credit!

Find out more about the Access Pro Bono Wills Clinic and how you can volunteer here.

Enduring Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements

This training session is designed for lawyers who have limited or no experience in drafting Enduring Powers of Attorney and Representation Agreements and who are interested in providing pro bono personal planning assistance to low income seniors and end-of-life clients. In this session, Joanne Taylor and Ron Usher of Nidus will introduce some of the types of documents that can be used to assist clients with personal planning. Participants may attend in-person at the Courthouse Libraries in Vancouver or by webinar. The Justice Access Centre in Victoria will also be hosting a group viewing of the webinar.

Participants in this course may claim up to 1.5 hours of CPD credit.

Date and time: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 from 1:00-2:30pm PST

Register here to attend in-person in Vancouver

Register here to attend at the JAC in Victoria.

Register here for the webinar.

Wills Basics

This presentation is targeted towards non Wills & Estate practitioners who are looking to get involved in providing pro bono will drafting for low income seniors and end-of-life clients. Nicole Garton of Heritage Law will share some of her knowledge and experience in drafting basic wills. Participants may attend in-person at the Courthouse Libraries in Vancouver or by webinar. The Justice Access Centre in Victoria will also be hosting a group viewing of the webinar.

Participants in this course may claim up to 1 hour of CPD credit.

Date and time: Friday, January 29, 2016 from 10:00-11:00am PST

Register here to attend in-person in Vancouver

Register here to attend at the JAC in Victoria.

Register here for the webinar.

For more information about our training programs, please contact us at: training@courthouselibrary.ca


Not a volunteer lawyer?

The Access Pro Bono Wills Clinics are offered to low-income seniors (55+) and people with terminal illnesses at physical locations in Vancouver (11:30am to 1:30pm at the Justice Access Centre at the Vancouver Courthouse, 800 Hornby Street), and also in Victoria and Nanaimo on a more limited basis.

Volunteer lawyers provide free legal help with simple wills and representation agreements. Please call the number or send an email to the address provided at the above link to make an appointment.

New Online Education for BC Tenants

logo_rentingitrightThe Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC) and the Justice Education Society are pleased to announce the launch of a new online course for tenants, Renting it Right! Designed for first-time renters, the course covers both practical and legal topics to consider before deciding to rent. Course participants will learn about:

  • Needs and preferences- understanding rental expenses, creating a budget, and thinking about unique requirements;
  • Searching for rental housing;
  • Submitting a strong application;
  • Signing a tenancy agreement; and
  • Moving in.

Securing rental housing can be a challenge, especially for those who have never rented in BC, or who lack recent references. Renting it Right aims to help renters find the place that is right for them. The video-based course guides BC residents through the rental process, in preparation for submitting a strong rental application. Course participants who pass the final exam will earn a certificate to present to landlords.

By learning about the rights and responsibilities that come with signing a tenancy agreement, renters will be better equipped to avoid problems once they move in. Part one of Renting it Right educates BC residents on what they need to know before moving in. Part two (coming soon!) will cover the basics of a tenancy from start to finish.

David Hutniak, CEO of LandlordBC, says that “Renting it Right is a great new resource that will help renters succeed in their tenancies”. LandlordBC has endorsed the course, and encourages landlords to recognize the certificate when presented with a rental application.

“We are committed to online education for everyday activities, like renting,” said Rick Craig, Executive Director of the Justice Education Society. “Renting it Right will help first-time renters make smart decisions and avoid legal problems”.

Renting it Right is available free at RentingItRight.ca. Register today to learn about renting in BC and earn a certificate!

For comments on the course, please contact:

Jane Mayfield
Acting Executive Director
TRAC Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre
604-255-3099 ext. 228
01_Clicklaw_30px 01_Twitter_30px 01_Website_30pxFB-f-Logo__blue_29
Rick Craig
Executive Director
Justice Education Society of BC
604-660-3191
01_Clicklaw_30px 01_Twitter_30px 01_Website_30pxFB-f-Logo__blue_29