BC Human Rights Clinic

In April, 2003, the Provincial Government implemented a new and innovative direct access model for human rights complainants in BC.  Upon the completion of a 9-month Pilot Project, CLAS, in partnership with the BC Human Rights Coalition, formed the its newest program, the Human Rights Clinic.

Jointly, CLAS and the BC Human Rights Coalition provide representation to complainants whose cases had been referred to the BC Human Rights Tribunal for hearing.  The Coalition’s role is to provide representation to complainants at the early stages of the complaint.  This includes representing the clients’ interests with respect to the disclosure of documents, gathering evidence, putting forth a proposal for remedy, negotiating with the respondents, and attending mediations and/or settlement conferences. If after these initial stages of resolution, a claim remains unsettled, the file is transferred to CLAS in anticipation that the case will proceed to hearing.  CLAS also provides legal representation for judicial reviews and other support in cases as required.