Information for Students
An intensive learning opportunity for third-year law students
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service provides a structured听experiential learning environment听that allows you to learn and practice lawyering skills in a community law office located in north-end Halifax. Emphasis is placed on听skills training,听independence,听补苍诲听self reliance. 听You are given the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that are not a part of traditional legal education. 听To learn more, download听听[PDF - 122 kB].
Work with clients
Through the experience of听working with actual clients,听grappling with complex fact听situations, and听finding or creating solutions听to problems, you are provided with a context that enables you to understand and reflect on the role and responsibility of a lawyer in society. 听You get to do the things a lawyer does as an听articled clerk听member of the provincial Barristers鈥� Society.
Practice running a practice
In addition to the nuts-and-bolts skills of interviewing, counseling, negotiating, and trial advocacy, you can听learn the basics of running a practice: tickler systems, file management, ethical considerations such as conflicts, confidentiality, and the interpersonal aspects of lawyering.
Gain a unique perspective
A term at the clinic can provide you with a听broader outlook听on how the legal system operates and affects those living in poverty. 听It gives you a unique perspective on听access to justice听and your professional obligation to promote and protect the same. 听In the final analysis, it provides you with the ability to听bring the law to life, to experience law in action.
What's required
In addition to the formal seminar and skills training program, you will create a听Reflective Portfolio听by submitting 12 written reflective pieces (four skills-based and eight experience-based) as well as evidence of your very best work. 听The program is worth听13 credits听and runs throughout the year in three terms: 听winter, summer, and fall. 听Your performance is rated pass/fail/honours. While students normally take a concurrent course at the law school, those courses should typically be 2-credit or intensives, scheduled late-day or in the evening so as not to conflict with core clinic hours and mandatory sessions.