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Information for Students


An intensive learning opportunity for third-year law students

мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±Ö±²¥ Legal Aid Service provides a structuredÌýexperiential learning environmentÌýthat allows you to learn and practice lawyering skills in a community law office located in north-end Halifax. Emphasis is placed onÌýskills training,Ìýindependence,Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌýself reliance. ÌýYou are given the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge that are not a part of traditional legal education. ÌýTo learn more, downloadÌýÌý[PDF - 122 kB].

Work with clients

Through the experience ofÌýworking with actual clients,Ìýgrappling with complex factÌýsituations, andÌýfinding or creating solutionsÌýto problems, you are provided with a context that enables you to understand and reflect on the role and responsibility of a lawyer in society. ÌýYou get to do the things a lawyer does as anÌýarticled clerkÌýmember of the provincial Barristers’ Society.

Practice running a practice

In addition to the nuts-and-bolts skills of interviewing, counseling, negotiating, and trial advocacy, you canÌýlearn 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 aÌýbroader outlookÌýon how the legal system operates and affects those living in poverty. ÌýIt gives you a unique perspective onÌýaccess to justiceÌýand your professional obligation to promote and protect the same. ÌýIn the final analysis, it provides you with the ability toÌýbring 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 aÌýReflective PortfolioÌýby submitting 12 written reflective pieces (four skills-based and eight experience-based) as well as evidence of your very best work. ÌýThe program is worthÌý13 creditsÌýand runs throughout the year in three terms: Ìýwinter, summer, and fall. ÌýYour 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.