This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall Law School, the University of Toronto, and Lincoln Alexander
Project Type: Legal Research and Writing; Public Legal Education
Fields of Law: Family law and the Residential Tenancies Act.
Positions Available: 3 students
About the Arab Community Centre of Toronto
The ACCT envisions a healthy, equitable, inclusive and welcoming society that works together to engage with and integrate newcomers and other community members into the Canadian lifestyle. The ACCT is committed to working within a Social Justice, Anti-Oppression framework that demonstrates our respect for newcomers and the broader community of individuals who seek our services.
Project Details
In order to assist the ACCT with the diverse issues their clients face, students will be tasked with creating pamphlets and/or small booklets that summarize the general state of the law. The different topics include:
- Divorce and child custody
- Tenants and landlord rights and responsibilities
- Spousal abuse and legal proceedings
- Employment (health and safety, discrimination in the workplace)
- If the students have an interest in a specific topic, they are able to suggest ideas to the organization (topic must be approved by the organization).
Following their completion, these pamphlets will be distributed to ACCTs clients. Each student will select one topic and complete the research and pamphlet for it. If the organization finds that this is too much work for the student, students may pair up and the number of topics can be cut down.
If the students have time and are able to, they may present their research on one of these topics. However, this is optional.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Students will be tasked with completing and compiling research to create plain language information pamphlets and/or small booklets on the topics outlined above.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
Yes, the students will meet with the organization at the beginning of the placement to set due dates for the deliverables. It is important that the students submit the work plan at the deadline agreed on by the student and the organization.
If yes, the student(s) must reach out to the lawyer supervisor, draft a work plan, and submit it by email to the Program Coordinator and the lawyer supervisor by November 1st at the latest. Please note that workplans are required for all legal research and writing projects.
What Type Of Training Will the Organization Provide?
Note: All first year PBSC volunteers and all volunteers working on research projects must also attend a PBSC/Thomson Reuters legal research strategies workshop.
Students will have the opportunity to visit the organization at the beginning of placement for an orientation session introducing them to the organization. Additionally, the students will receive workplace safety training and introductory training to ACCT’s vast services and service receivers.
How Many Hours Per Week Will the Student Volunteer(s) Be Expected to Volunteer?
3-5 hours per week.
Will The Student(s) Be Expected To Show Up For Regular Shifts Each Week?
Flexible, students can complete their work remotely or in-person if needed.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
Students are expected to work from home; however, students are welcome to work at the office common space if they are using their own computer.
Requirements and Expectations
The ACCT provides services in English and Arabic. Thus, Arabic is an asset.
Knowledge of Family Law, familiarity with the Residential Tenancies Act, Employment law is also considered an asset.
The student is expected to work professionally and punctually with good time-management skills. As they will be working remotely, they should maintain good remote communication.