Need legal advice? Quebecers will have access to free advice on April 26 and 27, 2025
The Young Bar of Montreal launches its 44th Telephone Legal Clinic

Montreal, April 10, 2025 - The Young Bar Association of Montreal (JBM) is proud to announce the 44th edition of its Telephone Legal Clinic, to be held on Saturday April 26 and Sunday April 27, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event, which has become a tradition, will enable Quebec citizens to benefit from free legal advice provided by volunteer lawyers and notaries.

During the last edition, nearly 1,800 people were helped thanks to this initiative, testifying to its impact and relevance in contributing to greater access to justice in Quebec.

This initiative is part of a series of services set up by the JBM to meet the growing legal needs of the population, in partnership with the Barreau du Québec, the Centre d'accès à l'information juridique (CAIJ), Norton Rose Fullbright and with the collaboration of the Jeune Barreau de Québec, theCanadian Association of Paralegals and Justice Pro Bono.

We're delighted to announce that our colleagues from the Young Bar Association of Brussels will also be holding their telephone legal clinic on the same dates as ours, in Brussels. We're proud to help improve access to justice, and to inspire others to do the same.

Legal assistance for everyday situations

At a time when needs are considerable, the volunteer jurists will be able to guide people through sometimes complex and delicate situations.

• Employment law: wrongful dismissal, harassment in the workplace, employee rights.
• Housing law: problems with landlords, hidden defects, tenants' rights.
• Inheritance law: sharing an inheritance, contesting a will.
• Neighborhood disputes: noise pollution, property boundaries.
• Youth law: protecting children's rights, contesting a decision by the Direction de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ), understanding your children's rights.
• Penal and criminal law: parking tickets, probation.
• Co-ownership law: conflicts between co-owners or with the syndicat de copropriété.

Experts to shed light on current issues

This 44th edition of the Clinique juridique will also address the current concerns of Quebec citizens in relation to various topical issues. For example, we'll look at

• Rent increases and possible recourse: Many tenants wonder whether they can contest a rent increase they consider excessive.
  • Has your landlord imposed a substantial rent increase on you? Our volunteers can inform you about the remedies available.

• Immigration and moratorium period on certain programs : The Quebec government has announced a moratorium until June 30, 2025 on the Regular Skilled Worker Program and the graduate component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). This suspension affects many foreign students and skilled workers, raising concerns about their legal status and future options.
  • Are you a foreign student whose application for a study permit has been delayed due to the moratorium period? Our volunteer lawyers can help you explore your options.

• Family law reform: Bill 56 aims to modernize family law in Quebec by instituting the parental union regime. This reform could have legal implications for couples and families.
  • Would you like to know how this reform affects your rights in the event of separation or child custody? Our volunteer lawyers can help.

• Economic consequences of Trump administration policies: rising import tariffs worry Quebec businesses.
  • Is your company incurring additional costs as a result of these policies? Our volunteer lawyers can guide you towards legal solutions and understanding.

The legal clinic in brief :

• What:
  • Free legal advice for the general public
  • An accessible, anonymous service
  • Around 50 volunteer lawyers and notaries
• When: April 26 and 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Call 1 (844) 779-6232

Quotes

" We are proud to renew our commitment to Quebecers by offering direct access to quality legal advice. Each edition shows just how essential this service is in helping citizens better understand their rights and obligations. "

Marie Flambard, President of JBM

"The Quebec Bar is proud to support the latest edition of the JBM's Clinique juridique téléphonique, which has become an essential link between the justice system and the people of Quebec. Justice is a matter of humanity, commitment and proximity, and one of the keys to improving access to it lies in the solidarity of our various initiatives. I would like to thank the members of the Bar who help to humanize the profession by generously passing on legal advice to their fellow citizens.

Catherine Claveau, Quebec Bâtonnière

" The CAIJ is proud to once again support the JBM Telephone Legal Clinic, an essential event that embodies our legal community's concrete commitment to access to justice. In a context where the need for personalized legal advice continues to grow, this initiative makes perfect sense. The CAIJ would like to extend its warmest greetings to the volunteer lawyers and notaries who, year after year, put their expertise at the service of the public. On the occasion of this 44th edition, we admire the dedication and professionalism of this inspiring new generation of legal professionals.

Karine Mac Allister, CAIJ General Manager

" Our partnership with the Jeune Barreau de Montréal allows us to make a concrete and practical contribution to our community," said Nicolas Labrecque, Managing Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright's Montreal office." We are pleased to be able to once again participate in this collective effort to facilitate access to legal support for many of our fellow citizens in need, and to illustrate our commitment to assuming our leadership role in Quebec's legal community."

Nicolas Labrecque, Managing Partner, Montreal Office, Norton Rose Fulbright

About JBM

Founded in 1898, the JBM brings together lawyers practicing in Montreal for ten years or less, with nearly 6,000 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. On the one hand, it defends and promotes 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. As such, in August 2021, the JBM was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor's Medal for Exceptional Merit, "in recognition of the remarkable dynamism demonstrated by its members in the ongoing pursuit of collective well-being". To find out more about our initiatives for the public, visit the Public Services section of our website: http: //ajbm.qc.ca.

Information and interviews:

Megan Rivas-Gagnon | 514 691-4376 | mrivasgagnon@tactconseil.ca

Source: Young Bar Association of Montreal

Christina Solodukhin | 514 954-6936 | csolodukhin@ajbm.qc.ca |

Communications and Public Relations Manager