This course provides 2nd and 3rd year students with the opportunity to work at Queen's Legal Aid (¿QLA¿), a poverty law clinic which serves low-income area residents as well as students at Queen's University. QLA typically assists with criminal and quasi-criminal offences, small claims court litigation, landlord/tenant disputes, creditor/debtor matters, employment claims, human rights complaints, student academic appeals, and appeals to obtain income support for persons with disabilities.
The students obtain first-hand litigation experience before various decision-makers, helping them develop skill and confidence as legal professionals. Under the supervision of experienced lawyers, students will interview clients and potential witnesses, research legal issues, draft legal memoranda, provide draft legal opinions, prepare pleadings or applications, negotiate settlements and conduct or assist in trials before criminal and civil courts, as well as hearings before administrative tribunals including the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Social Benefits Tribunal and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Students will also be actively involved in the operation of QLA, learning and developing skills in practice administration and management, advocacy, client development, Law Society regulation, the use of retainer agreements and the use of time and case management software.
The course will run from September until April (i.e. two terms) and takes place at the downtown offices of the Queen's Law Clinics (¿QLC¿), 5th Floor, LaSalle Mews, 303 Bagot Street, Kingston. Student caseworkers will meet as a class for up to three hours each week on a date and time to be set. In addition, students will attend at QLC on a weekly basis and as required to meet with Review Counsel and clients, to attend weekly group meetings, to fulfill clinic duties and complete casework. Students will also be required to attend at other locations to complete their work including court and tribunal locations in Kingston and Napanee. QLA has a vehicle for transportation; a driver's licence is an asset but is not required.
The course is graded on a letter grade basis, based on an evaluation of the casework completed by the student throughout the year, involvement in the effective and efficient operation of QLA, and participation in course-related activities.
A maximum of 24 students will be admitted to this course. Student caseworkers will be selected by the Clinic Director based on a written application process that occurs in February.
This course fulfills either the Advocacy requirement, OR the Practice Skills Requirement.
RECOMMENDED: Law 320 Evidence and Law 225 Civil Procedure
Queen's Law policy limits students to only one of the following clinical courses: QBLC LAW 438, QELC LAW 695, QFLC LAW 527, QPLC LAW418, QLA LAW 590. Students enrolled in one of those five clinical courses are not eligible for enrolment in another.