In February 2020, just before the start of the pandemic, we started a drop-in program to provide legal information and assistance to members of the public who were struggling with dealing with the courts. While the pandemic put a quick end to the drop-in idea, the need for legal information assistance didn’t dry up with it.
Since February 2021, the Law Library Hub has been operating on a virtual basis by appointment only. As of October 4, 2021, we are thrilled to announce we will be open again to in person service.
Under the supervision of a practising lawyer, law students will be available to provide assistance in the Great Library at the Winnipeg Courthouse on Monday afternoons between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Appointments can be booked using the form available here.
This program is run in partnership with the Law Society of Manitoba, Manitoba Department of Justice, Pro Bono Students Canada, and others, and funded by a grant from the Manitoba Law Foundation. The goal of the project remains the same: to provide information and assistance to members of the public. Representation without legal counsel is difficult and challenging, particularly when trying to follow the rules and procedures that the legal system requires, and puts extra pressure on judges and parties who are represented. Additional assistance for self-represented litigants is important in order to increase fairness and access to justice.
As part of the pilot project, data will be collected on the types of problems people are encountering and the number of people the Hub assists.
The Law Society of Manitoba is committed to the advancement, promotion, and facilitation of increased access to justice for all Manitobans. The Law Library Hub is a pilot program and the goal of the project is to provide information and assistance to members of the public who are engaged with the Justice system.
The Library Hub began on an in-person basis in February of 2020 with law students from the Legal Help Centre, the Faculty of Law’s Family Externship course, and other student volunteers.
When COVID-19 restrictions came into play, the Library Hub project was put on hiatus. It started back up again in a virtual capacity in February of 2021 with 3 students from the Faculty of Law’s Family Externship course. It continued in this capacity until the end of the school term in April 2021.
We expect that services will resume in the fall once law school students resume their studies.
Funded by the Law Foundation of Ontario Access to Justice Fund, this informative report shares knowledge with respect to both the crisis of Indigenous over-incarceration in Saskatchewan and the justice system’s response.
The government of Manitoba has announced that they will be launching the first phase of a family law service that will ensure services are more accessible and affordable to Manitobans.
early resolution support services delivered by family guides with expertise in domestic violence and safety planning, conflict resolution and mediation, family law and court processes.
navigation assistance to other culturally and linguistically appropriate specialized services, which could include a new Child Support Service, Legal Aid, expanded enforcement or other financial, legal or health and social services.
self-service tools and a resource inventory that is searchable by region and issue.
support to complete any prerequisites for court.
allows families to access support electronically.
The notice also mentions changes coming to the The Family Law Modernization Act, which will “expand the role of the Child Support Recalculation Service and give it the authority to make initial child support decisions in a broad range of cases, such as changes in employment, without going to court. “
A new notice to the profession has been posted from all three courts detailing further restriction of access to the courthouses. This notice will limit the number of support persons to two per accused or victim.
It also reminds counsel to respect social distancing and maintaining a two meter gap.
There are now 10,000 pieces of legal commentary on CanLII, in the form of books, journals, reports, conference proceedings, case commentary and more.
Commentary on CanLII’s platform is searchable alongside our primary law collection, also openly accessible, to facilitate improved access and discoverability of existing secondary content published around the web.
This is an amazing achievement, thanks to the contributions of CanLII’s many partners. Congratulations to all for putting it together and supporting open access to the law.
The Manitoba Law Library would like to acknowledge with gratitude that we are situated on Treaty One Territory, the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree and Dakota peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Printing and Photocopying
If you need to use the library’s printing and photocopying services you will need to create an account. See us at the front desk for assistance.
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