Projects

Partner Organization: Amici Curiae (AC) Friends of Court

Description: This project involves students assisting British Columbians to complete their legal forms virtually, by phone, or in person. AC hosts different legal forms workshops that invite members of the community to receive legal assistance. Volunteers work in teams of two during these workshops, as Team Leader and Team Assistant. Tasks may include completing AC’s Client Session Records, taking notes for the client, looking up the correct form, researching authorities, calling the supervising lawyer to attend, and in many cases listening to clients while the Team Leader is drafting a form. Virtual clinics will take place weekly.

Volunteer: Students who are interested in litigation or civil procedure may find the placement to be a good fit. Fluency in another language is considered an asset. Training will be booked later.

Organization: Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS)

Description: CVIMS needs volunteers to research key areas of Canadian and B.C. law relevant to newcomers, including consumer protection, family reunification, employment rights and discrimination, and interactions with police. Students will translate their research into clear, culturally sensitive, and visually engaging resources such as infographics, pamphlets, fact sheets, or presentations to help newcomers understand their rights, responsibilities, and available options.

Volunteer: Students who are bilingual, have lived experience or a background working with newcomers or refugees are preferred, but this is not required.

Partner Organization: UVIC Environmental Law Club

Description: Student volunteers research climate change litigation and create case summaries for use on the climate change litigation website/database. Their work will involve drafting plain language summaries and defining key legal terminology found in the cases. Students may also assist with the development of the website and can provide input on how the material can best be presented.

Volunteer: Legal research experience, proficiency in a second language and comfort with web design are all considered assets.

Partner Organization: Greater Victoria Public Library

Description: Student volunteers will support trans and gender non-conforming clients through the legal name and gender change process with regularly scheduled clinics.

Volunteer: Preference will be given to LGBTQ2S+ students, particularly trans students. Experience with social work or professional interaction with BC Vital Statistics is an asset. A demonstrated commitment to allyship with trans communities is an asset. Project is fully in-person.

Partner Organization: Pacific Wild

Description: This project aims to support legal and
policy reform related to forestry practices, wildlife protection, and sustainable land management in British Columbia (B.C.). In particular, the project will explore the intersection of forest policy, habitat conservation, and wildlife law. Students will conduct legal and policy research on the broader regulatory framework of the Wildlife Act, forestry legislation, relevant case law, and provincial transparency obligations.

Volunteer: Environment law and/or experience with the environmental industry is considered an asset.

Partner Organization: Worker Solidarity Network

Description: Worker Solidarity Network needs volunteers to support workers by conducting research on employment and human rights issues, assisting with worker inquiries, and developing accessible legal information resources. Students will attend weekly advocacy meetings, assist with drafting and reviewing materials for workers pursuing complaints, and provide general information and referrals under lawyer supervision.

Volunteer: Prior experience with Employment Standards Complaints is an asset. An interest in labour and employment law is preferred.

Partner Organization: Saanich Volunteer Services Society (SVSS)

Description: SVSS needs students to research B.C. laws and policies surrounding Power of Attorney, Representation Agreements, and Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) processes. Students will review relevant legislation and case law, and then create a plain-language resource for clients and present their findings to an SVSS group.

Volunteer: Strong legal research and writing skills are preferred. An interest in wills/estates, elder law, and access to justice are an asset.

Partner Organization: Olthuis Kleer Townshend LLP (OKT)

Description: ​​Students will conduct comparative legal research on how UNDRIP and Indigenous rights are interpreted and applied by international organizations and courts across different jurisdictions. They will review relevant legislation and case law to identify similarities and differences in approaches to Indigenous rights protection. The research will support future advocacy and legal research on UNDRIP.

Volunteer: A strong interest in international human rights and Indigenous law is preferred. Strong legal research and writing skills and the ability to work with legal sources from multiple jurisdictions is an asset.

Partner Organization: Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)

Description: TAPS needs volunteers to research B.C. legislation, regulations, and the Residential Tenancy Branch dispute resolution process relating to eviction notices for non-payment of rent. Students will use their research to develop a plain-language, visually accessible resource explaining the dispute resolution process, key deadlines, hearing procedures, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of disputing an eviction notice. Students will also create a template to help tenants organize and present relevant information about their circumstances during a hearing. The final resources will be designed for both online and print distribution.

Volunteer: A background in social services and poverty work is preferred. Student must commit to in-person shift weekly.

Partner Organization: UVIC Environmental Law Club

Description: The Environmental Law Club needs volunteers to research climate change litigation, with a focus on claims against carbon-intensive industries. Students will research cases, prepare plain-language case summaries, and explain key legal concepts for the Club’s public-facing climate change litigation website. Students may also contribute to improving how the information is presented and organized.

Volunteer: Legal research experience, proficiency in a second language and comfort with web design are all considered assets.