Our Mission: To Promote "Equality of Arms" in Legal Matters

The Mile End Legal Clinic's main purpose is to help people ensure their equal treatment under the law. The Clinic is rooted in the belief that all people should have the ability to enforce their civil rights, resolve legal disputes and defend themselves against criminal charges. Through individual consultations, accompaniment services and public legal education, the Clinic promotes the principle of equality of arms as defined by the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights:

The right of everyone who is party to civil or criminal proceedings to have a reasonable opportunity of presenting his case to the court under conditions which do not place him under a substantial disadvantage vis-à-vis his opponent.

This includes helping those who are not yet party to actual proceedings, but have legal problems.

The Clinic also endeavors to break down the traditional barrier between those who practice law and those who are the object of the law, by introducing law students and citizens entangled in the legal system to one another so that they can educate and assist each other.

Services

The Mile End Legal Clinic offers one-on-one consultations with lawyers and law students to people who require legal information, but cannot afford a lawyer.

No appointments are necessary. Consultations occur are on a drop in basis, at The Mile End Mission (99 Bernard street west, corner St-Urbain street), on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.

Follow-up services are available. The Clinic's jurists may accompany clients to court proceedings, meetings or appointments with Legal Aid lawyers. We pride ourselves in being a Clinic that does not simply dispense legal information: we also help clients navigate through the legal system and help them put legal information to use.

Our services are free. However, donations are welcome.