What are the procedures for lawyers attending pro bono clinics?

Terms of Engagement with Client

To establish boundaries and protect your time and privacy at the outset, we recommend you clarify these terms of engagement at the beginning of the meeting including the following:

	The lawyer can give advice, make phone calls and dictate documents to the client. The lawyer does not keep any document. There is no responsibility to appear in court or do work other than the above (unless the lawyer specifically chooses to the contrary).
	The lawyer is not the client's "lawyer" and the term of engagement ends at the end of the meeting. If further help is needed, the client should contact the clinic, not the lawyer.

Your Notes

We urge on the "Pro Bono Brief" to make as complete and legible notes as possible, especially as to your advice and limitation dates. A copy is provided to the client, and is invaluable not only for the client's use but for lawyer's in case of a claim. Do not leave your notes at the clinic.

Follow-up Meetings

We suggest you ask the client at the outset if he/she has seen one of our pro bono lawyers previously. If so, the client should show you the previous lawyer's Pro Bono Brief so that there is some continuity, and you have the benefit of knowing what was previously advised.

Conflicts

If a person opposed in interest to your client has received advice from another pro bono lawyer at the same clinic, this will not create a conflict problem for you. We take care not to keep client information, and the client's confidentiality is preserved, even though the adversary may be seen by another lawyer at the same clinic. To help you avoid a conflict, whenever possible, a client list will be faxed to you a day before the clinic. This service is an aid only and we cannot guarantee that the information is complete or correct.

Remuneration

Our policy is to discourage lawyers from acting for clients for remuneration. If a client wishes to pay you, please call the central coordinator and in exceptional circumstances permission may be given.

Form Instructions

	Read the new form of “Pro Bono Brief.” You should also have been given a partially completed “Clinic Report” giving the names and particulars of the clients.
	Have the client read, complete, and sign Part 1 of the form before the session begins.
	Make sure the copy is legible! Beware of felt or some jell pens! They may not press through on the copy.
	Read and sign Part 2.
	During the session use Parts 3 and 4 of the form to write out your summary of facts & your advice.
	If you think the client will benefit from another session (or a different type of lawyer), please indicate so in the summary portion of the form.
	Have the client sign at the bottom of the form and write the client’s address and phone number.
	Give the white copy to the client. We recommend you first read out the contents of the box at the bottom to the client.
	Keep the yellow of the form in your own pro bono file.
	At the end of the clinic, complete all of the clinic report given to you by the clinic coordinator and sign it.
	Make sure the clinic report is faxed to Access Justice preferably before you leave the clinic (604-893-8934) but if there is no fax machine available, fax it as soon as possible. It is essential we receive the completed report to be able to locate materials and keep required statistics.
	If the above procedures do not work for you or there is any problem that your coordinator cannot resolve please contact your “team captain” or failing that, our Clinic Coordinator (fax: 604-893-8934) or help@accessprobono.ca.
	We no longer require you to leave a copy of the brief for the agency. Do not leave behind any written materials. Remember the next client using this room could be your last client’s adversary!