This is a joint project between Osgoode Hall Law School, the University of Toronto, and Lincoln Alexander
Project Type: Client Intake and Assistance
Fields of Law: Housing; income maintenance; administrative.
Positions Available: 1 student
About the Don Valley Community Legal Services (DVCLS)
Don Valley Community Legal Services is a community legal resource centre. The Clinic serves persons of modest income in our catchment area on an individual, case-by-case basis. The Clinic also serves the community generally by providing outreach, legal education and community organizing to agencies, individuals and other groups in our community.
Project Details
An affidavit is a written document that contains facts that someone swears under oath or affirms are true (source). DVCLS helps clients prepare affidavits and other documents for government, financial, or legal purposes. These include income verification affidavits, daycare subsidy affidavits, notarial true copies, and more.
In this project, students will help the clinic staff worker deal with the clients who have
appointments for affidavits or notarial true copies:
- Students will ensure clients have brought an ID document.
- Students will shadow the client-lawyer meetings, which include an interview.
- Eventually, students will be able to take a more active role under lawyer supervision. Students may be able to conduct the interview independently and draft the affidavit using a template which is then reviewed by a DVCLS lawyer.
- Additional work, such as copying ID documents, copying the completed documents, etc.,
- will take no more than 10% of the students’ time.
Students are not lawyers and are not authorized to provide legal advice.
Role of Student Volunteer(s)
Interview the client, help prepare the affidavit, or make copies of the documents to be notarized.
Is A Work Plan Required For This Position?
No.
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 also gain experience dealing with clients by shadowing the staff person. Students will learn how to draft affidavits during the placement.
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?
Regular shifts. Students will be expected to show up for a regular shift each week (Thursday from 1:30-4:30 PM) at DVCLS’s office in Leaside Park. If a student cannot make their scheduled shift, they must inform the lawyer supervisor.
Is Workspace Provided For the Student Volunteer(s)?
Yes.
Requirements and Expectations
None.