Queen’s Pro Bono Students Canada - Community Projects List
1. Association In Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC)/OJEN – Wrongful
Convictions Public Legal Education Presentations
2. Queen’s Correctional Law Project – Parole Information Seminars
3. PASAN (Prisoners With HIV/AIDS Support Action Network) – Prisoners’ Rights
Research Project
4. Queen’s Correctional Law Project – Prison Manual for Male Federal Prisoners
5. Youth Diversion Program – Legal Education Resources for Youth
6. The Equality Effect – ‘160 Girls’ Legal Protection Against Defilement
7. METRAC Action on Violence – Women and Youth Legal Information Project
8. Canadian Civil Liberties Association – RightsWatch Blog
9. Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) Movement – Basic Income Guarantee Research and
Policy Paper
10. Kingston Pride – Organizational Harassment and Cyber-Bullying Research
11. Queen’s Legal Aid – Defending Small Claims Court Matters Info Package
12. Queen’s AMS Housing Grievance Centre – Landlord Tenant Issues
13. OPIRG Kingston – Know Your Residence Rights
14. Barriefield Village Association – Heritage Conservation District Project
15. Friends of the Kingston Inner Harbour – Inner Harbour Preservation Project
16. Frontenac Arch Biosphere – Corporate Documents Project
17. Frontenac Arch Biosphere – Limitations on Charitable Organizations
18. Canta Arya School for Strings – Corporate Documents and Risk Management
19. KAM – Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites – Corporate
Documents and Director’s Liability
20. Kingston WritersFest – By-law Compliance and Organizational Structure
21. Napanee Chamber of Commerce – Chamber of Commerce Seminar: Legal Information
for Small Businesses
22. KEYS Job Centre – Employment Seminar: Legal Information for KEYS Staff and
General Public
23. Bedford Mining Alert – Tracking the Graphite Trail
24. Youth Diversion Program – Privacy Law Seminars
25. Family Law Litigant Survey – Family Court Litigant Project
26. Pro Bono Radio
27. Family Law Project
1. Association In Defence of the Wrongly Convicted(AIDWYC)/OJEN
Wrongful Convictions Public Legal Education Presentations
Area of Law &
Type of Project



Criminal Law
Wrongful
Convictions
Public Legal
Education
#Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will deliver public legal
education presentations on wrongful
convictions to high schools, postsecondary institutions and community
centres. Students will present on
wrongful conviction topics such as:
causes of wrongful convictions, rights
when interacting with police, case
studies, and post-exoneration and
compensation. Students will spend a
small portion of their time
corresponding with contacts provided
to arrange presentations. The content
for the presentations will largely be
provided, and students will be
responsible for delivering this content.

1 student

Student should have
demonstrated interest
in criminal law
Must have completed
Criminal law;
Enrollment or
completion of
Evidence/Criminal
Procedure/Sentencing
and Imprisonment is
an asset
Public speaking
experience/experience
working with youth is
an asset
Other languages are
an asset


Students must be available for training
in Toronto Oct 3-4th (travel and
accommodation expenses will be
covered).

2. Queen’s Correctional Law Project – Parole Information Seminars
Area of Law & Type
of Project
 Parole Law
 Legal Research
 Public Legal
Education
#Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will research the parole
hearing process and build on a
presentation from last year, which
they will present to the inmates at
one-two minimum-security prisons in
the Kingston area. This project will
afford interested students an
opportunity to work with the directors
of the Prison Law Clinic.

4 Students
3. PASAN (Prisoners With HIV/AIDS Support Action Network)
Prisoners’ Rights Research Project
Area of Law & Type
of Project
Description
#Of Students &
Qualifications





Administrative Law
Prison Law
Legal Research &
Writing
This project builds on the research
completed last year and addresses the
rights of federal prisoners when
Correctional Services Canada staff fail
to follow policy. The students will
prepare a research memo and a “how
to” guide (in plain language) that
answers a series of questions, and
focuses on how prisoners can use
Small Claims Court applications against
individual CSC employees who do not
follow policy.


2 Students
Should be
interested in
prisoners’ rights
and administrative
law and able to
create accessible
language
resources
Queen’s Legal Aid
or Queen’s Prison
Law Clinic
experience is an
asset
Completion of
Administrative law
is an asset
4. Queen’s Correctional Law Project– Prison Manual for Male Federal Prisoners
Area of Law & Type
of Project



Criminal Law
Updating
Information Manual
Legal Research
and Writing
#Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
The students will update and build upon a
manual developed last year, ensuring all
material is up-to-date and accurate, and
that all relevant topics are covered for use
by male prisoners. Students may also
create several smaller manuals covering
key topics which will be available for
distribution.

4 Students
5. Youth Diversion Program – Legal Education Resources for Youth
Area of Law & Type
of Project
 Youth Justice
 Criminal law
 Creating an
Informational
Pamphlet
 Legal Research and
Writing
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will provide legal
resources for youth and their
families. They will create a
pamphlet which will include
information about issues young
offenders face, and if parents are
liable for any youth misconduct.

2 Students
6. The Equality Effect – ‘160 Girls’ Legal Protection Against Defilement
Area of Law & Type
of Project
Description
#Of Students &
Qualifications
 Human Rights Law
 International Human
Rights Law
 Assist with Litigation
Strategy (Legal
Research & Memo
Writing)
 Development of
Public Legal
Education materials
This project aims to hold the
Malawian state accountable for the
enforcement of existing criminal laws
against ‘defilement’ (girl child rape),
and to improve police investigation
and prosecution against rape/
defilement of women and girls.
Students will aide with this initiative,
with the goal to end the impunity that
rapists currently receive when they
sexually assault girls. Students may
also assist in the development of
public legal education materials for
the advancements made in Kenya or
development of an action plan to
address the legal impunity of marital
rape in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi.
 2 Upper Year Students
 The following
experience is an asset:
legal research, writing
legal memos,
constitutional law,
International/ Human
Rights law, Civil
Procedure, Evidence,
Criminal Law, Sexual
Assault Law
 Interest in women’s
rights and human rights
law an asset
7. METRAC Action on Violence – Women and Youth Legal Information Project
Area of Law & Type
of Project






Family Law
Immigration Law
Human Rights Law
Criminal Law
Labour Law
Legal Research
and Writing
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
One student will provide METRAC with
research and writing on legal topics that
would be of interest to women who have
been the victims of intimate partner
violence or abuse. This will encompass
writing plain language articles or
providing research memoranda, which
will form the basis for further articles. The
articles which will be posted to the
Ontario Women’s Justice Network’s
website.

1 student

Interest in social
justice, human
rights, feminist,
anti-oppression
and violence
against women
issues
Experience with
plain language
writing an asset

Student must be available for webinar
training session (~2.5 hours) during the
week of October 5th.
8. Canadian Civil Liberties Association – RightsWatch Blog
Area of Law & Type
of Project


Constitutional law
Legal Research
and Writing
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will monitor and research
civil liberty issues in Canada, tracking
one area of law or an issue. Students
will create weekly content for the
CCLA’s RightsWatch blog. Students
will have the opportunity to participate
in four online “intensives” throughout
the year, giving them exclusive access
to leading practioners on civil liberties
topics.
Students must be available for online
training session October 9th & 10th.



1-2 students
Interest in civil
liberties/constitutional
law
Preference given to
upper year students
9. Basic Income Guarantee (BIG) Movement –
Basic Income Guarantee Research and Policy Paper
Area of Law &
Type of Project






Description
Students will research whether any
constitutional requirements exist for the
Constitutional law government to provide a guaranteed
basic income, or whether an argument
Human Rights law
could be created that would see a
Taxation/Tax law
guaranteed basic income become law in
Tax Policy
Canada. These arguments would be
Legal Research
based on constitutionality, equality,
and Writing
international treaties or human rights law.
Policy Paper
Students will also investigate what legal
steps would be required to fund this
movement from a tax perspective.
# Of Students &
Qualifications


3-5 students
Interest in social
economic
movements is an
asset
10. Kingston Pride – Organizational Harassment and Cyber-Bullying Research
Area of Law & Type
of Project




Cyber-Bullying,
Harassment
Civil/Criminal law
Constitutional law
Legal Research
and Writing
Description
A student will research the state of law for
organizations keeping an online presence
and cyber-bullying and harassment.
Students will investigate the rights that
people and organizations have online and
how the freedom of expression may
interact with content posted online.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

1 student
11. Queen’s Legal Aid – Defending Small Claims Court Matters Info Package
Area of Law & Type
of Project



Civil Procedures in
Small Claims Court
Legal Research
and Writing
Plain Language
Information
Package
Description
Students will create an information
package for lay litigants that describes
the procedures of defending a Small
Claims Court matter. It will include
information on (1) filing a defense, (2)
filing a defendant’s claim, and (3) filing a
motion to set aside default judgement.
# Of Students &
Qualifications


3 students
1 student must
be an upper year
student who has
taken Civil
Procedure or is
enrolled for Fall
2015
12.Queen’s AMS Housing Grievance Centre – Landlord Tenant Issues
Area of Law & Type
of Project


Landlord Tenant
Law
Legal Research
and Writing
Description
Students will research legal issues which
commonly occur with student housing.
Students will compile their research into a
plain language reference document to
provide Centre staff with an
understanding on the state of the law
regarding these common issues.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

1-3 students
13. OPIRG Kingston – Know Your Residence Rights
Area of Law & Type
of Project



Landlord Tenant
Law
Legal Research
and Writing
Plain Language
Pamphlet
Description
Students will research and produce a
plain language pamphlet relating to
students’ rights on campus.
The pamphlet will communicate a
student’s legal rights when living in
residence, outlining their rights to random
room checks, scheduled room checks,
enjoyment of the space and conflicts with
roommates, guest policies and other
related items.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

1 student
14. Barriefield Village Association – Heritage Conservation District Project
Area of Law & Type
of Project





Municipal Law
Heritage Law
Administrative Law
Land Use &
Planning Law
Legal Research
and Writing
Description
Students will research legislation
regarding heritage conservation districts,
in addition to Ontario Municipal Board
decisions to examine how this legislation
and policies have been interpreted by
adjudicators. Students will then outline
areas of potential strength and
weaknesses in the Barriefield Heritage
Plan.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

2-4 students
15. Friends of the Kingston Inner Harbour – Inner Harbour Preservation Project
Area of Law & Type
of Project




Environmental Law
Municipal Law
Land Use/Planning
Law
Legal Research
and Writing
Description
Students will research legal issues
relating to both the Wellington Street
extension and creating a trail from the
TransCanada trail along Kingston’s inner
harbour to the downtown area. Students
will research land use and planning law,
consider the impact of the UNESCCO
designations, and investigate the
standards which must be met for different
land usages and residential
neighbourhoods. Students will also
research easements on crown land and
the possibility of municipal tax reduction
incentives.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

2-4 students
16. Frontenac Arch Biosphere – Corporate Documents Project
Area of Law & Type
of Project



Corporate Law
Risk Management
Legal Research
and Writing
Description
Students will prepare legal information on
the requirements of the pending not-forprofit legislation and current best practices
for corporate by-laws. Students will research
the risks and issues that exist for
organizations that use volunteers, and
present a document outlining the risks, legal
considerations, and best practices for a
volunteer policy. Students will research and
provide information on the legal issues and
best practices surrounding corporate policy
documents relating to signing authorities.
# Of Students &
Qualifications


2-3 students
Not-for-profit
experience an
asset

Please
indicated
whether you
have a car
17. Frontenac Arch Biosphere – Limitations on Charitable Organizations
Area of Law &
Type of Project



Corporate Law
Charities Law
Legal Research
and Writing
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will research legislation relating to
charities to prepare a memo outlining the types
of mandates charities can have, how charitable
status can be revoked, and the differences
under legislation between not-for-profit
corporation with and without charitable status.
Students will also investigate the types of
activities that are allowed and disallowed
between charities and affiliated non-charitable
organizations.

1-2 students
18. Canta Ayra School for Strings –
Corporate Documents and Risk Management
Area of Law &
Type of Project


Corporate Law
Legal
Research and
Writing
Description
Students will prepare legal information on the
insurance requirements and liability issues
relating to directors and officers of not-forprofit corporations, as well as general liability
and insurance gaps related to the operation of
a music school. Under the direct supervision
of a lawyer, the students will prepare legal
information on the current best practices
regarding a harassment/personal conduct
policy and the requirements under the new
Ontario Not-for-profit Corporations Act
(ONCA).
# Of Students &
Qualifications



2-4 students
One student
should have
completed or be
enrolled in
Business
Associations or
Advanced
Corporate Law
For one student:
business
undergrad or notfor-profit
experience an
asset
19. KAM – Kingston Association of Museums, Art Galleries and Historic
Sites – Corporate Documents and Director’s Liability
Area of Law &
Type of Project



Corporate Law
Employment
Law
Legal
Research and
Writing
Description
Using a case study from a former member of
the Association, students will research
directors’ liability issues and how insurance
might be able to reduce the risk. Students will
provide information about current best
practices and the impact of Ontario’s pending
not-for-profit legislation, on KAM’s by-laws.
Students will research legal information for
best practices and legal issues surrounding an
organization employment policy, media
communications policy, and potentially a health
and safety policy.
# Of Students &
Qualifications



2-4 students
For one student:
business
undergrad or
not-for-profit
experience an
asset
One student
should have
completed or be
enrolled in
Business
Associations or
Advanced
Corporate Law
20. Kingston WritersFest – By-Law Compliance and Organizational Structure
Area of Law &
Type of Project


Corporate Law
Legal
Research and
Writing
Description
Student will review the corporate by-laws,
providing legal information regarding present
and pending legislation and best practices for
an organization of its size and nature.
The student will also research the policy issue
of Kingston WritersFest having a broad or
narrow membership base, detailing any
differences in legal obligations.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

1-2 students
21. Napanee Chamber of Commerce –
Chamber of Commerce Seminar: Legal Information for Small Businesses
Area of Law &
Type of Project


Business and
Corporate Law
Public Legal
Education
Description
Students will research legal topics of interest to
small businesses in Napanee and surrounding
areas. They will then prepare seminars and
present them in Napanee. One seminar will be
presented in each term. Possible topics
include: various commercial agreements,
employment contracts and anti-spam
legislation.
# Of Students &
Qualifications


4-7 students
At least one
student should
have a car
22. KEYS Job Centre –
Employment Seminar: Legal Information for KEYS Staff and General Public
Area of Law & Type
of Project



Employment Law
Public Legal
Education
Plain Language
Document
Description
Students will prepare and deliver two
presentations to the Centre’s staff and the
broader public. Topics will include: an
overview of recent amendments to the
ESA, state of employment law and
employee rights regarding challenges
faced in the marketplace, and the growing
issue of unpaid internships, volunteering
and any legal obligations for those
opportunities. Students will compile the
information presented into a reference
document for KEYS staff.
# Of Students &
Qualifications

3-4 students
23. Bedford Mining Alert – Tracking the Graphite Trail
Area of Law & Type
of Project



Mining Law
Environmental Law
Municipal Law
Legal Research &
Drafting
Description
This project will build on the work done by
last year’s pro bono students. Students will
track the activities of the company that
holds mining claims on private property
north of Kingston in the Bedford and
Burgess districts. They will also explore the
lapse of several claims that were cancelled
in the spring, but may be reactivated.
Finally, students will draft an application for
freedom of information.
# Of Students &
Qualifications


3 Students
Please indicate
whether you have
taken Mining Law
24. Youth Diversion Program – Privacy Law Seminars
Area of Law & Type
of Project


Privacy Law
Public Legal
Information
Description
Students will prepare and present public
legal education workshops to the Youth
Diversion Program staff regarding privacy
legislation and how the law relates to their
program. Students will research both
federal and provincial privacy laws, and
prepare a presentation setting out the
staff’s duties as they pertain to disclosure,
non-disclosure, storage of records, and
issues of consent or implied consent along
with limits of confidentiality and duty to
warn.
# Of Students &
Qualifications


3 Students
Please indicate
whether you have
taken Privacy Law
25. Family Law Litigant Survey – Family Court Litigant Project
Area of Law & Type
of Project


Family Law
Client Interviewing
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will have the opportunity to learn
about access to family justice issues and
self-representation through this project.
Students will gain client-interaction and
interviewing skills by engaging individuals
in family court waiting rooms and
administering a survey questionnaire. This
study is part of a larger SSHRC funded
study on Access to Family Justice.

4 Students

Must be available
for mandatory
training session
September 25 at
1:30-3:30pm
26. Pro Bono Radio
Area of Law & Type
of Project

All areas
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Pro Bono Radio is a great opportunity for
volunteers to perform law-related writing
and research and then try their hands
(and voices) at recording and
broadcasting it. Topics covered vary
greatly.


12 Students
Please submit
the separate
application form
27. Family Law Project
Area of Law &
Type of Project


Family Law
Client interaction
& interviewing
skills
# Of Students &
Qualifications
Description
Students will work at the Queen’s
Family Law Clinic with
disadvantaged, self-representing
clients, guiding them through the
court process and preparing their
court documents.


6 Students
Fill out separate
application form and
submit it via email to
FLP co-ordinator
Ainsley Hunter
(pbsc.flp@queensu.ca)