Since 1969, the Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) has provided free legal services to over 3,000 low-income individuals annually throughout the Lower Mainland. This has included full courtroom representation for a variety of issues including minor criminal and small claims matters.

 

 

In order to continue to represent individuals in either provincial criminal court or small claims court, LSLAP students are now required to have a volunteer trial supervising lawyer physically present. This is in addition to our historical practice of having students report to the program’s principal supervising lawyer for trial preparation and debriefing.

 

 

Volunteer Trial Supervising Lawyers will receive weekly emails listing upcoming trial dates requiring lawyers. You will then be free to select trials that work for you (on a first come first served basis).

 

Basics for supervising a trial:

·         We ask that you arrive ½ hour before the trial to review the case and then watch the trial (from the gallery section) with the purpose of being able to provide advice if needed.

·         You are not required to do any preparation beforehand, nor meet directly with clients. However, CPD credit hours are available for some types of preparation work with the student.

·         You are highly encouraged to assist the student as much as possible (reviewing the particulars, trial strategy, anticipated case law, etc.) and provide feedback as needed.

 

 

Share your expertise with the next generation of lawyers while providing low-income individuals with legal assistance they would otherwise go without. To sign-up as a volunteer or to find out more, email the Public Relations Director at pr@lslap.bc.ca.