By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The Barreau du Québec recently announced promising results from its first year of operating a free, year-round legal clinic aimed at enhancing access to justice across Quebec. The clinic, which has established offices in Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Montreal, and Quebec City, was designed to provide free legal consultations to Quebec residents over the age of 18.
In an interview on Nov. 4, Executive Director Catherine Ouimet shared insights into the clinic’s operations and the impact it has had so far, noting that the initiative has already seen a positive response from the community. “Our capacity is 5,000 people during a year,” Ouimet explained, though the clinic fell short of this figure due to a brief summer closure. “Last year, we were open but had a summer break, so we weren’t able to see as many people as we wished,” she added. Nevertheless, the clinic successfully assisted 2,600 individuals, achieving a 96 per cent satisfaction rate.
The clinic offers services in both French and English, with bilingual consultations available in person or via videoconference. “It’s really accessible so they can always turn to our service,” Ouimet emphasized, explaining that the clinics operate at Quebec’s four bar schools, where students provide legal guidance under the supervision of experienced lawyers. The model allows clients to receive high-quality legal assistance at no cost. “All the work that they do is revised and approved by experienced lawyers,” Ouimet noted, assuring the reliability of the information provided.
One of the clinic’s primary goals is to address an evident gap in access to legal services, particularly for those who may not be able to afford traditional legal representation. “53 per cent of the people wouldn’t have consulted a lawyer if they didn’t have an appointment,” Ouimet revealed, highlighting the crucial role that the clinic plays in providing accessible legal support. The availability of services at various times of the day, including evenings, further enhances its reach to diverse client groups across Quebec.
