Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS): Digital First Research Project

Project Type: Research (memoranda used for internal purposes only)

Fields of Law: Housing Law, Administrative Law

Positions Available: 3

About Kensington-Bellwoods Community Legal Services (KBCLS):

KBCLS is a non-profit community legal clinic funded by Legal Aid Ontario. KBCLS gives people living on a low income in the Kensington-Bellwoods neighbourhood free legal services for certain problems. 

Project Details:

Students will conduct in-depth research into the current “Digital First” approach of Tribunals Ontario. Students will identify how the “digital first” approach has changed legal proceedings at the Landlord and Tenant Board and the Social Benefits Tribunal and the effect of low-income individuals in the catchment area who may lack access to digital infrastructure. The project will also examine LAO budget cuts and how equipped legal clinics are to pick up the slack with lacking digital infrastructure in the catchment. This work will build upon the research already conducted by KBCLS’ 2023 summer student, as well as work completed by the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) and the recent Ombudsman Report on the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Research topics may include community resources currently available for clients; the results of clinics being asked to complete IT work amidst funding cuts; and the impact of the digital first mandate on KBCLS (and other legal clinics) specifically.

The final result of the research will be (1) a brochure/pocket guide about “digital first” at the LTB/SBT; (2) preparation of PLE materials for navigating “digital first” at the LTB/SBT; (3) potentially giving a workshop about “Digital First” at the LTB/SBT (depending on community partner availability); and (4) a blog post about how “Digital First” has affected KBCLS to be published on our socials and presented to our Board.

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

The schedule will be flexible. Work will likely be conducted remotely with web-based access to resources. Students will be able to complete work on their own time with regular check ins.

Requirements and Expectations:

Clinic/social justice experience is an asset but not required.