UNB Legal Clinic

The UNB Legal Clinic, located in a historic home in downtown Fredericton, is a crucial resource for individuals seeking legal assistance in New Brunswick. The clinic is committed to community service and access to justice. It welcomes individuals in need of legal support, aiming to bridge gaps in the legal aid system and provide vital services to those who may not otherwise afford representation.

Scope of service

The Legal Clinic currently offers legal services related to:

Housing and Tenancy Issues: Assistance with disputes between landlords and tenants, evictions, and understanding tenant rights.
Provincial and Federal Benefits: Guidance on navigating social assistance programs, including Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS), Employment Insurance (E.I.), and the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
Employment Law: Support for individuals facing issues related to employment contracts, wrongful dismissal, and workplace rights.
Human Rights: Legal advice on discrimination claims and other human rights-related issues.
Small Claims: Assistance with filing claims in small claims court for disputes involving smaller amounts of money.
Notary Services: Provision of notary public services for various legal documents.
Uncontested Divorce: Assistance with the legal process of obtaining an uncontested divorce, including necessary documentation.
Provincial Offences: Support for individuals dealing with tickets and other minor provincial offences.
Immigration and Refugee Assistance: Help with immigration forms and procedures, ensuring individuals understand their rights and responsibilities.

Contact us

To access services at the UNB Legal Clinic, individuals can schedule an intake appointment by contacting the clinic through phone or email. Walk-in intake clinics are also available weekly, with specific times announced on the clinic's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

For those residing outside the Fredericton area, the clinic offers monthly outreach clinics throughout the province in various locations, including Oromocto, Miramichi, Negauc, Dorchester, Kingsclear First Nation, and Saint John. Furthermore, the clinic accommodates clients by offering intake appointments via phone or virtually, ensuring that more individuals can access the support they need, regardless of their location.

Clinic operating hours

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

750 Brunswick Street,
Fredericton, NB, E3B 1H9
506-452-6313
lawclinic@unb.ca

Financial eligibility

The UNB Legal Clinic is dedicated to providing free legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation and do not qualify for legal aid. This initiative aims to enhance access to justice in New Brunswick by addressing significant gaps within the legal aid system.

Eligibility Assessment: To determine financial eligibility, the clinic utilizes a means test similar to Legal Aid's. This assessment primarily focuses on individuals receiving income assistance, those with no income, or those earning minimum wage.

What to bring to your appointment

To facilitate a smooth intake process, clients are encouraged to bring as much relevant documentation as possible regarding their financial situation and potential deductions. Additionally, documentation pertaining to a spouse or common-law partner’s income and any dependents will also be required.

Useful documentation to prepare:

Identification: Such as a social insurance card, driver’s license, or Medicare card.
Proof of Income: Recent pay stubs, income assistance statements, or Employment Insurance documents. Seasonal employees should also provide their most recent Income Tax Notice of Assessment.
Proof of Allowable Deductions: Receipts for any relevant deductions that can be claimed.
Relevant Court Documentation: Any existing court orders, separation agreements, or related legal documents that may be pertinent to your case.

How it works

The UNB Legal Clinic offers a unique opportunity for third-year law students to gain practical experience while providing valuable legal support to clients. Supervised by licensed lawyers, these students work on real client cases, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in practical scenarios. This hands-on approach not only helps students develop their legal skills and confidence but also serves the community by offering essential legal assistance. The clinic emphasizes a collaborative learning environment, ensuring that students receive thorough training and supervision throughout their experience.

Get involved

A truly experiential learning opportunity

The Legal Clinic is structured as a 6-credit course open to third-year students. It runs from September to April and then from May to August. Initially, the program will accept a maximum of six students for the 2022-23 academic year, with two students working at the clinic during the summer thanks to the generous MacBeath Fellowship.

Fall clinical placements begin with an intensive orientation, including training in the areas of professional responsibility, practice management, client communication, cultural competence, and trauma-informed lawyering. In late September, students will begin taking clients. They will work on files under the direct supervision of Jeannette Savoie, Supervising Lawyer, per the Law Society requirements relating to student competency to practice law.

Students dedicate between 9 and 12 hours per week to their work at the clinic, covering at least one client intake shift. Students meet with clients both during the workday and in the evenings to ensure the clinic remains accessible to the community.

The Clinic also includes a weekly three-hour in-class session on Friday mornings. This time is dedicated to discussion and reflection and for guest speakers, who will also present on a variety of topics during these sessions.

How to apply

Students should apply to be part of the Legal Clinic as soon as the Associate Dean’s office puts out a call for applications for Experiential Learning Courses (typically in June).

For the summer student positions, students should submit their applications no later than March. Please check your UNB Email often to ensure that you receive the notifications of when to apply, as deadlines may very slightly from year to year. Application packages include a cover letter, resume, statement of interest and transcripts.

Funding

The Legal Clinic is funded through the University as a three-year pilot project. We are seeking further support to expand the program. If you wish to donate, contact the Dean’s Office.

The New Brunswick Law Foundation

UNB Law would like to recognize the generous support of the New Brunswick Law Foundation (NBLF). Thanks to a $50,000 NBLF grant, the UNB Legal Clinic has hired a Client Development and Community Outreach Coordinator.

This person organizes outreach activities on behalf of the Clinic and acts as a liaison between the Clinic and local partners to facilitate access to justice for low-income individuals throughout New Brunswick.

The MacBeath Fellowship

UNB Law also owes a debt of gratitude to the friends and family of the late Donald A. MacBeath, QC, a distinguished lawyer from Marystown, NL, known for his unwavering commitment to access to justice and remarkable service to his community.

This group generously established the MacBeath Fellowship, an award valued at up to $5,000 that supports students through their summer placements with the Clinic. MacBeath Fellows will carry client files from May to the end of August, handing them over to the next set of clinicians at the start of the fall term.

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