The Resource Centre has announced that, after a one-year break, they are once again able to offer free legal clinics this fall. Due to the generosity of lawyer Alison Sawyer, and Access Justice (www.accessjustice.ca), the Centre will host a monthly clinic in Gibsons at which low income Sunshine Coast residents can receive a confidential half-hour legal consultation.
“It’s an opportunity for people who want to get advice from a lawyer, but who find it hard to find one or who can’t afford to pay a lawyer’s fees,” Sawyer said.
Sawyer, who has a private practice in Gibsons, was honoured in 2012 with the Law Society of BC’s Dugald Christie award, presented annually to a B.C. lawyer who provides outstanding pro bono (free) services to the community.
When asked what kinds of legal matters she is most often asked about, Sawyer says: “Everything. I get a lot of family law, quite a bit of administrative law (that is problems dealing with government agencies, such as residential tenancy disputes, taxes, workers compensation and income assistance), plus small claims matters like debt, personal injury, and criminal matters.
“This program is particularly good for people who want to help themselves, or who just need some direction,” Sawyer added. “You can get up to three consultations on the same problem.”
Marj McDougall, the Resource Centre director in charge of legal services, says that while they are delighted to welcome Sawyer back, they are also looking for another lawyer. “We would like to find someone – perhaps a recently retired lawyer – willing to step up and assist us in providing this extremely valuable service,” McDougall said.
Pro bono legal clinics will be held monthly at the Gibsons Public Library. The service is by appointment only, on a first-come basis. For details about this and other low-cost legal services, contact legal information program coordinator Alick Troup at 604-989-4945, or visit www.resourcecentre.ca
