Quebecers will have access this weekend, April 18 and 19, to free legal consultations offered by some 60 volunteer lawyers and notaries as part of the Telephone Legal Clinic organized by the Young Bar Association of Montreal (JBM).
The organization, which runs this clinic in collaboration with the Quebec Bar Association, the Montreal Bar Association, and the Legal Information Access Centre, responded to nearly 3,500 requests during the last edition of the event. “There are many people who are not eligible for legal aid, but for whom court fees would be very high. So we really see a surge of interest when there are initiatives of this nature that are free or low-cost, allowing people to access legal services or advice,” explains Andrée-Anne Dion, President of the JBM.
In all areas
The advice offered covers a multitude of areas and areas of expertise. A few examples from a non-exhaustive list? In family law, for issues of child support, child custody, and the rights of common-law partners; in employment law for problems of wrongful dismissal and workplace harassment; in housing law as leases approach their end; in immigration law, tax law, civil litigation for neighbourhood disputes, and for expert opinions on estates, wills, inheritance, and other matters.
Dion, who practices criminal law, notes that volunteer lawyers are also consulted on penal and criminal matters, not only to find out how to prepare a challenge and gather evidence to contest a traffic ticket, for example, but also for much more, she explains. “We get a lot of questions from people who, either themselves or someone in their family, has been arrested in recent weeks, and they have questions about the process, about what will happen in the next steps. Many people are very stressed by what they are going through, and explaining things to them helps in some way because they know a little more about what might happen next. We also get questions from people who are victims of crime and who are wondering about the process for filing a complaint.”
This is the 46th edition of the Clinic, which is held twice a year, in the spring and fall. The Young Bar Association has been conducting this event for over 30 years, but the number 46 reflects the fact that it used to take place only once a year.
High demand
The volume has been increased because the demand is there, emphasizes Dion. “What this has shown us is that there is a need. People don’t really know how to approach legal matters, how to approach a lawyer. People wonder if it’s worth it, if they have any recourse. Allowing for quick, one-off contact helps people demystify, to some extent, their relationship with the justice system and with lawyers.”
Consultations can last from 10 to 20 minutes, but lawyers sometimes go further, says Dion. “When there are questions that we can’t answer the same day, we tell people that we’ll make sure to call them back within the following week or two.”
The Young Bar Association notes that recent events may have raised questions for many people in various fields. For example, volunteer lawyers can guide applicants regarding the Skilled Worker Selection Program in immigration matters—while awaiting details of Premier Christine Fréchette’s plans for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). In family law, a new parental union regime that came into effect last June changes the rules for common-law couples with children. On the environmental front, new regulations govern activities near lakes, rivers, and floodplains.
These are just a few examples related to the evolution of the law that may raise questions among the population.
Anyone wishing to obtain free advice from the Telephone Legal Clinic can call 1 (844) 779-6232 next Saturday and Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
