Our Mandate: To establish an open and accessible venue to provide legal services to the broadest range of people in Fredericton and outlying areas who would otherwise be unable to find or afford these services.
What can the Legal Advice Clinic do for clients?
Clients who come to the clinic can expect to meet initially with a student volunteer and then a lawyer supervisor. If the lawyer supervisor and the clinic assistant feel that the client’s situation is appropriate, the client can apply for a student research volunteer if s/he wishes. If a client opens a file with the Clinic, a student research volunteer can offer the following:
- Give legal information
- Assist with applications to the Alternative Measures Program
- Help navigate the court appearances, like a court worker
- Provide assistance finding a lawyer or community group to support the client.
Law students cannot offer advice to clients but are able to provide legal information. The students will and must act under the guidance of a lawyer supervisor at all times. Students will not, under any circumstances, offer advice or an opinion on how to proceed in any matter.
Limitations:
There are certain matters that the Fredericton Legal Advice Clinic does not handle:
- Any matter where the client either qualifies for Legal Aid or other form of legal representation
- Land transactions (including wills and estates);
- Personal injuries;
- Probate;
- Impaired driving charges;
- Traffic offences;
- Indictable criminal offences;
- Summary conviction charges where a jail sentence is likely;
- Criminal offences where the accused has a prior record;
- Most criminal offences in youth court;
- Matters requiring appearance in or application to the Court of Queen’s Bench, Court of Appeal, or Federal Court (including civil matters over $25,000 and defamation);
- Unions
- Complaints against lawyers;
- Any file where the Supervising Lawyer makes the determination that a law student cannot properly assist the client under the circumstances.
All clients who attend the Clinic should know that while the student and lawyer will communicate regarding issues brought to the Clinic, all files are confidential and will not be discussed with anyone other than the client.