Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (BSCC) Family Court Support Program Placement

Project Type: Client Services (court forms, shadowing, mock hearings, intake, legal clinic, etc.)

Fields of Law: Family Law, Immigration Law, Criminal Law

Positions Available: 1

 

About:

The Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic offers legal services and representation, trauma- informed counselling and multilingual interpretation to diverse women (self identified), non- binary, intersex, and Two-Spirit people who have experienced violence. We cultivate skills and resilience by fostering safety, dignity and equality and we amplify voices to create individual and collective change. Together with our donors and volunteers, we are active in changing the conditions that create environments of violence and oppression. The Clinic’s Legal Department provides services in family and immigration law, and independent legal advice to survivors of sexual assault.

 

Project Details:

Students will be required to remotely attend a mandatory Clinic orientation session together at an arranged time before their Clinic placement begins.

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 Workers work with duty counsel, Legal Aid Ontario, shelters, Victim/Witness Assistance Workers, and court staff and other external service providers. Court accompaniment is also sometimes provided.

PBSC 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.  

Students will be asked their availability for attending weekly shifts between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM at one of the three Toronto courthouses at the beginning of each semester. The family courts are providing services both in-person and remotely. Student work may involve both in-person and remote court attendance for scheduled proceedings.  It is possible that court attendance will not be possible every day throughout the placement.  In the alternative, students may be asked to attend work with their assigned Court Support Worker at the Clinic’s offices.  

 

Will the student(s) be expected to show up for regular shifts each week, or is the schedule flexible?

Based on student schedules, a regular weekly work schedule will be determined with the Family Court Support Program Coordinator. 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. 

 

Requirements and Expectations:

Additional languages are a great asset. Family law knowledge is preferred, but not necessary. Past work with survivors of violence would be an asset. Students enrolled in U of Toronto Law School’s Barbra Schlifer Clinical Program are not eligible for this placement.