4 replies to this topic

[dlb]

I'm very interested in UVIC's Law Centre Clinic and UBC's LSLAP.

Can anyone weigh in on the differences between the two, especially with regards to the amount of practical experience you gain? My initial impression is that the Law Centre Clinic is far more close-knit (only 14 students) and is more structured than LSLAP; LSLAP no longer accepts family law files; and the Law Centre Clinic is worth 7.5 units of course credit vs. 0 for LSLAP (though you can earn credit in 2nd and 3rd year by participating in various clinics, see: http://www.law.ubc.c...d/clinical.html). Otherwise, I'm not sure if there is much of a difference.

A related question: would a UBC student on an exchange at UVIC be able to participate in the Law Centre Clinic, and vice versa?

[hefeweizen]

I don't know how many super-informed opinions you'll get on this, since by most of us will only know the details of one of the two programs, but I will say that everyone at UVic that I know who's taken the Law Centre thought it was the best experience of their law school career. You receive temporary articles and a principal to participate, handle a very wide range of files, and are regularly in court. Beyond the rule against taking family law cases that LSLAP has, I think there are some other distinctions in terms of what types of files they can take that don't apply at UVic - I see LSLAP doesn't take impaired driving cases, for example, while the Law Centre does.

One nice thing about the Law Centre: because it's worth 7.5 credits (in case you don't know what the credit system at UVic is like, that's a whole semester with no other classes), you don't have to worry about balancing (or choosing between) school work and clinic/client work. The experience is, I think, a very good introduction to/imitation of working in a medium-sized generalist practice, and learning how that works on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.

I imagine there are high points for UBC's program, too, though, and you might get better answers if you gave us some direction on what your personal goals are - are you interested in clinical experience for a particular reason? Also, if you have more specific questions about what the Law Centre involves, I'll try to answer.

[hefeweizen]

I don't know how many super-informed opinions you'll get on this, since by most of us will only know the details of one of the two programs, but I will say that everyone at UVic that I know who's taken the Law Centre thought it was the best experience of their law school career. You receive temporary articles and a principal to participate, handle a very wide range of files, and are regularly in court. Beyond the rule against taking family law cases that LSLAP has, I think there are some other distinctions in terms of what types of files they can take that don't apply at UVic - I see LSLAP doesn't take impaired driving cases, for example, while the Law Centre does.

One nice thing about the Law Centre: because it's worth 7.5 credits (in case you don't know what the credit system at UVic is like, that's a whole semester with no other classes), you don't have to worry about balancing (or choosing between) school work and clinic/client work. The experience is, I think, a very good introduction to/imitation of working in a medium-sized generalist practice, and learning how that works on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.

I imagine there are high points for UBC's program, too, though, and you might get better answers if you gave us some direction on what your personal goals are - are you interested in clinical experience for a particular reason? Also, if you have more specific questions about what the Law Centre involves, I'll try to answer.

[serdog]

Law Centre at UVIC = one term of be out and basicly working as a lawyer for credit, my upper year friends have all loved it. Also UVIC has two adissional Clinical programs that are field related (regular classes)

[dlb]

hefeweizen, on 09 January 2012 - 05:19 PM, said:

I don't know how many super-informed opinions you'll get on this, since by most of us will only know the details of one of the two programs, but I will say that everyone at UVic that I know who's taken the Law Centre thought it was the best experience of their law school career. You receive temporary articles and a principal to participate, handle a very wide range of files, and are regularly in court. Beyond the rule against taking family law cases that LSLAP has, I think there are some other distinctions in terms of what types of files they can take that don't apply at UVic - I see LSLAP doesn't take impaired driving cases, for example, while the Law Centre does.

One nice thing about the Law Centre: because it's worth 7.5 credits (in case you don't know what the credit system at UVic is like, that's a whole semester with no other classes), you don't have to worry about balancing (or choosing between) school work and clinic/client work. The experience is, I think, a very good introduction to/imitation of working in a medium-sized generalist practice, and learning how that works on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.

I imagine there are high points for UBC's program, too, though, and you might get better answers if you gave us some direction on what your personal goals are - are you interested in clinical experience for a particular reason? Also, if you have more specific questions about what the Law Centre involves, I'll try to answer.

Thanks for the thorough response! To be honest, the more I hear about UVIC, the more I think I might prefer it over UBC.

I have a number of different reasons for wanting clinical experience. Part of it is that I'm interested in criminal law, family law and immigration law (though I don't think the latter is covered by the clinics?). I also want to learn more about tribunals. Another reason is that I have a background in human rights research in and am interested in the Canadian context of human rights violations.

Having studied anthropology, I am really interested in learning more about interviewing, counselling, and overall advocacy, but I am especially keen on contributing to a more empathetic and holistic practice of law. From what I've read about the Law Centre, it really seems as though the Centre provides space for law students to really explore their own approach to law/their style of advocacy.

And not to sound too mushy, but in my past, I was surrounded by a lot of people who were homeless, drug addicted, criminals etc. and I feel like that's where my heart is - to help people who are marginalized and at an economic disadvantage.

So I guess what I’m really looking for is a clinic that really embodies an ethos of social justice and strives to train its students to use the law as a tool for social change.

Sorry if this reads as vague, but I’m tired and I get all gooey when I think about this stuff .