The JBM Telephone Legal Clinic: Lawyers and notaries mobilize to improve access to justice

Lawyers and notaries once again joined forces for the ^37th edition of the Clinique juridique téléphonique organized by the Young Bar of Montreal (JBM) in partnership with the Quebec Bar and the CAIJ. The lawyers and notaries on hand for the weekend of October 23 and 24 answered the legal questions of Quebecers, while providing information on the various methods of preventing and resolving disputes. Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, almost 1,000 people received free advice on their rights, obligations and legal recourse.

Among the most popular topics were the following:

• Contracts (22%)
• Family (18%)
• Estates (11%)
• Housing (10%)
• Civil liability (10%)
• Employment (7%)
• Criminal & penal (5%)
• Public & administrative (4%)

We'd like to thank all the volunteers who took part in this event, the only one of its kind in Quebec in over 30 years, which would not be possible without them. Special thanks to the Pro Bono Legal Services Committee ^, led by JBM director Gabrielle O'Reilly Patry, and to the Telephone Legal Clinic sub-committee^, headed by Maria-Christina Sorbo-Mayrand.

A few words from Mathieu Jacques^, President of JBM

"The JBM is very proud to have organized the ^37th Clinique juridique téléphonique. At a time when we are beginning to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, solidarity remains at the heart of our action. This initiative enables all Quebec citizens to obtain free information on their rights and obligations, their recourse and the creative and participative solutions available to them. We are proud that young lawyers are thus at the heart of concrete actions to promote access to justice. "

A few words from Élizabeth^{Ménard-Laberge}, JBM General Manager

"As the new General Manager of the JBM, it gives me great pleasure to witness the great mobilization of the JBM team and our partners to successfully organize this 37th edition, despite the constraints of the pandemic.team and our partners to successfully organize this ^37th edition, despite the constraints imposed by the pandemic. For the^4th time, the Clinique juridique téléphonique took place 100% remotely, enabling lawyers, law students and paralegals to give generously of their time to offer this invaluable service to the public. A huge thank you to all the volunteers for your generosity and dedication in making justice more accessible! "

We would also like to thank our partners, the Barreau du Québec and the CAIJ, as well as our collaborators the Fondation du Barreau du Québec, theCanadian Association of Paralegals, theAssociation des avocats et avocates en droit familial du Québec, the Centre de Justice de Proximité du Grand Montréal, Éducaloi, Justice Pro Bono, the Jeune Barreau de Québec and the Association des Jeunes Barreaux de Région.

Didn't get a chance to call in this ^37th edition? Take note that the next JBM Telephone Legal Clinic will be held on April 23 and 24, 2022!

Access to justice

Founded in 1898, the JBM represents lawyers practicing ten years or less in Montreal, with over 5,000 members. This makes it one of the largest associations of young lawyers in the world, in terms of numbers for a single city. Its mission is twofold: firstly, to defend and promote the interests of its members. On the other, it provides pro bono legal advice and information to various segments of the population, and organizes charitable activities.Overall, it aims to improve access to justice and contribute to the collective well-being. The JBM offers a number of services to help Quebecers gain access to justice.

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For further information, please contact

Élizabeth Ménard-Laberge | General Manager, JBM

emenardlaberge@ajbm.qc.ca | 514 954-3498 | www.ajbm.qc.ca