Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic: Family Court Support Program Placement (3 positions)

Area of Law: Family Law -- Immigration Law -- Criminal Law 

The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers trauma-informed legal services and representation, counselling and multilingual interpretation, and drives system transformation to support women and gender diverse people who have experienced violence. Rooted in the foundations of intersectionality, innovation, and a client-centred approach, BSCC fosters the skills and resilience of the people they serve and amplifies their voices to create individual and collective change. The Clinic's Legal Department provides trauma informed legal advice and representation in the areas of family and immigration/refugee law, supportive legal services in family court, and independent legal advice about legal responses to sexual assault. The Legal Department also supports the Clinic's advocacy efforts to bring systemic change and reduce barriers to justice for survivors of gender-based violence. To learn more about BSCC, check out their website here: https://schliferclinic.com

Students will be involved in the Family Court Support Program. The Family Court Support Program is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. Ordinarily, Clinic staff are Court-based 4 days per week and meet with clients to provide legal information, referrals, safety planning and support at the three Toronto family courts (311 Jarvis, 361 University, 47 Sheppard). The Clinic administers the English-language Court Support Program in Toronto and makes referrals to the French language Court Support Program (OASIS). The Family Court Support Program staff works with family lawyers, duty counsel, Legal Aid Ontario, shelter, Victim/Witness Assistance Workers, and court staff and other external service providers. Court accompaniment is also sometimes provided.

Students will assist the BSCC Court Support Workers, including during intakes, assessments, and safety planning. Students will complete other tasks under the direct supervision and guidance of the BSCC Court Support Workers, including: supporting with client intakes, assisting with follow-up calls to clients, supporting Family Court Support Workers with writing up and organizing client notes, researching referrals to specialized services and community supports, and supporting Family Court Support Workers with client court accompaniments, including, where appropriate, meetings with lawyers. Students will not provide legal advice or assistance with pleadings but will be exposed to the court system and where appropriate provide court accompaniment which typically involves the opportunity to sit in on legal proceedings and take notes. 

Time Commitment

Students are expected to work one shift per week 3-5 consecutive hours between the hours of 9 am - 5 pm. Shifts will usually be on location at one of the three family courts in Toronto (2 downtown, 1 in North York). Remote work may be possible on occasion as family courts provide services both in-person and remotely. A regular weekly work schedule will be determined with the Family Court Support Program Coordinator based on the student schedule. Students will be assigned to a Court Support Worker one day each week to assist with court and client work. Students are not expected to attend court during the exam period. Students should advise the Coordinator of any absences in advance or as soon as possible. 

Required Training

In addition to the PBSC mandatory training, BSCC will provide the following mandatory training activities for student volunteers: Introduction the clinic, introduction to family law, risk assessment and safety planning, working and trauma survivors, and services in family court. The training will be provided by BSCC staff. Students are required to remotely attend a mandatory Clinic orientation session at an arranged time before their Clinic placement begins. 

Number of Students and Prerequisites

  • How many students? 
    • 3 student volunteers (students may be working with students from Lincoln Alexander School of Law and Osgoode Hall Law School)
  • Can first year law students volunteer?
    • First year students are encouraged to apply!
  • Should you be bilingual? 
    • No, but additional languages are a great asset. 
  • Any other expectations for this project? ​​
    • Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. Past work with survivors of violence would be an asset. Students enrolled in University of Toronto Law School's Barbra Schlifer Clinical Program are not eligible for this placement.