Quebecers will be able to benefit, next weekend, from free advice from volunteer jurists during the 42e Telephone legal clinic of the Young Bar of Montreal (JBM). They anticipate numerous calls for questions related to lease assignments, rent increases and renovations, given the intensifying housing crisis.
The JBM holds this 42e edition on April 20 and 21.
Anyone can call for advice, regardless of their income. “We don’t ask questions about eligibility,” said the president of the JBM, M.e Joey Suri.
And even if it is the Young Bar of Montreal which offers the service, access is not reserved for Montrealers: everyone can call to speak to a notary or a lawyer.
Around sixty volunteer lawyers will be assigned to the task for two days. During previous editions, some 2,000 people benefited from their advice — for a total of around 4,000 people per year since the legal consultation is a biannual event, “which is becoming more and more popular,” adds M.e Suri.
He expects a number of questions related to housing, since the event arrives just before the moving season and also because of the crisis which is causing a lot of concern to Quebecers. Bill 31 – and its controversial clause which substantially restricts lease transfers – as well as possible compensation in the event of eviction should ring bells, believes the lawyer.
“Democratize access to justice”
In each edition, the subjects that come up most often are linked to real everyday concerns: child custody, contesting traffic violations, disputes between neighbors and other questions related to family and consumer law. and inheritances.
“We know that the issues regarding access to justice are growing and that is why we offer this clinic. We want to democratize access to justice. » For the president of the JBM, the initiative aims to help people struggling with legal problems and allows lawyers to “give back to society”.
Citizens who call will be put in contact with a specialist in the field targeted by their questions. Volunteers will be able to provide basic guidance to help people navigate their case and, if necessary, guide them to the appropriate resources.
This free service intended for the Quebec population is set up by the JBM, in partnership with the Barreau du Québec and the Center for Access to Legal Information, with the collaboration of the Canadian Association of Paralegals.