An organization dedicated to helping those who need a lawyer but don't qualify for Legal Aid was recently launched in Saskatoon.

But, said Pamela Kovacs, executive director of Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan, people in Prince Albert will also have that option, via a free weekly legal clinic each Wednesday at the Indian Métis Friendship Centre.

While Legal Aid is available, it does not get involved in some court matters and an individual's income must be low enough to qualify for it, said Kovacs.

Pro Bono - which uses Statistics Canada's low-income cutoff line to determine financial eligibility - is for those who fall through those cracks.

Kovacs said the process begins with a person going to a free legal clinic or doing the consultation by phone. The case is assessed by a lawyer at the clinic, after which the attorney gives direction to the client or takes on the case at little or no cost.

In general, there is no charge for these services, although the client must bear the fees associated with filing the matter, said Kovacs.

Pro Bono's funding comes from the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan, as well as $25,000 from the Saskat-chewan branch of the Canadian Bar Association, but the organization tries to partner as much as possible with community organizations.

For example, the Prince Albert's Indian Métis Friendship Centre provides a room for the weekly legal clinics, said Kovacs.

Lawyers volunteer for the service by signing up with Pro Bono and may be involved by being at the free clinic, accepting referrals from the clinic or providing mentoring and support.

"They recognize the system is supposed to work for all," Kovacs said in explaining why lawyers choose to get involved.

"The key thing is, lawyers are volunteering their time."

Pro Bono's aim is to ensure that "on a provincial scale, we're delivering pro bono services in as fair a manner as possible," said Kovacs.

To that end, the organization plans to open more clinics throughout the province in the future.

Kovacs is currently seeking charitable status for Pro Bono so that anyone can contribute to the organization.

tseraphim@paherald.sk.ca

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Legal briefs

Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan's guiding principles:
Pro bono services are meant to complement, not replace, an adequately funded legal aid system;
Pro bono services should be primarily directed at providing advice and representation to persons who cannot afford to pay for these services; and
Pro bono service should be endorsed and encouraged within the profession as a professional responsibility shared by all in the profession.
Source: Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan