Community Legal Clinic celebrates 25 years in business

Nipissing Community Legal Clinic
News Release

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In June 1984, a group of concerned citizens submitted an application to the Law Society of Upper Canada’s clinic funding committee proposing the creation of a legal clinic in North Bay to deal with “poor law”, law reform and community legal education. “Poor law” was defined to include such things as appeals related to unemployment insurance, Canada Pension, general welfare, family benefits and workers compensation. The result was a letter from the committee stating, “The committee is satisfied on the basis of the information before it that a need for the services of a community legal clinic has been established in your area, and that the services can best be provided through the funding of a new community legal clinic.”

The Nipissing District Law Association originally opposed the creation of the Legal Clinic and came up with an alternative proposal of offering free legal services by members of the local bar two evenings a week fearing that the Clinic would just be a “new bureaucracy”. A public hearing took place in May 1985 addressing the two options and the result was the formation of the Nipissing Community Legal Clinic which opened their doors at 466 First Avenue on January 6, 1986 with a staff of three including a lawyer director, Peter Peterson, a Community Legal Worker, Karen Graw and a secretary, Suzanne Plouffe.

Over the 25 years of operation, the Legal Clinic’s staff have changed while the services offered have evolved, identifying the needs of the community. Poverty law being the continuing mandate of the Clinic, clients are served on tenancy issues, employment insurance appeals, Canada Pension appeals, Criminal Injuries Compensation applications, Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program appeals. The Clinic’s Executive Director, Stuart Bailey has been with the Clinic for over twenty years of its existence. The staff also includes a staff lawyer, a community legal worker, a administrative assistant and an office manager.

The Nipissing Community Legal Clinic offers intake appointments for summary advice on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Files may be opened for clients who are financially eligible for services when they require representation in a matter in one of the areas of law handled by the clinic. Additionally, the Clinic has satellite clinics in Sturgeon Falls and Mattawa. Public Legal Education is offered to community groups as well as organizations which might benefit from the legal information available.

On November 28th, the Clinic, now located at 107 Shirreff Avenue, Suite 214 is opening their door to the public from noon to 5 pm to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Guest speaker, Jim Klein, a member of the original board of directors will speak at 4:30 pm. Refreshments will be served and a door prize will be drawn at 5 pm.

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