1. Welcome to LSLAP

2. History and Organisation

3. Mandate Access to Justice
1) Provide free legal services to those persons in British Columbia who would not otherwise be able to afford such service
2) To advance and further the professional education and training of its students

4. Areas of law What we do: Employment Human rights Criminal
Residential Tenancy
Wills
Immigration/refugee
Government Benefits
WCB
Representation at courts and tribunals
What we DON’T do:
Family law
Personal injury
Claims in negligence
Unionized employees
Driving offences and motor vehicle
Appeals/judicial review
Criminal matters proceeding by indictment or with a risk of jail

5. Client Interview and Correspondence
LSLAP Training:
Client Interview and Correspondence

6. The Interview Before the Interview
Make sure you have all the materials:
Client file folder
Waiver and File Review form
Initial Interview Notes
Relevant interview guide
Client Handout
Client Statistics Sheet
Read through applicable “Interview Guide” and LSLAP Manual Chapter from the LSLAP Website

7. The Interview: During the Interview
Take charge of the interview – begin by explaining how our program works and our limitations and requirements
Complete the forms – waiver/file review, statistics, copy ID, give client handout
TAKE NOTES!
Ask questions based on applicable “Interview Guide” and LSLAP Manual Chapter
Determine if we CANNOT help the client (many areas we cannot cover and many rules over who we can represent)
Try to determine the legal issue

8. The Interview: During the Interview
DO NOT GIVE ANY ADVICE
(or anything that could be construed as legal advice)
Simply explain to the client that you are not allowed to give any advice until first checking with the supervising lawyer

9. Client confidentiality – drop box stc.

10. The Interview After the Interview
Complete administrative tasks (fill out side tabs, get file number, ensure it gets entered into Clio)
Make an appointment with Supervising Lawyer
Be prepared to summarize the file
Try to determine what the next steps should be/bring forward date
Consider relevant areas of law and determine if you have all necessary information
Talk to clinic head and fellow clinicians
Review relevant sections of the LSLAP Manual and “5 Important Things” handouts
Request any information you need from the client

11. ALL CORRESPONDENCE MUST GO THROUGH A SUPERVISING LAWYER!!*
*(except simple requests for documents or answers to procedural questions)

12. Correspondence
The supervising lawyer will direct you to do legal correspondence and MUST review all correspondence that contains any legal advice before it is sent out
Make sure you keep client’s up to date on their file – EVEN IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED
Try to avoid using legalese when communicating with clients
Be sure to be professional and respectful when communicating with other lawyers