This past academic year approximately 80 University of Ottawa law students donated thousands of hours to some 30 organizations, doing legal research, producing policy and background papers, undertaking public education on legal topics, and contributing to advocacy work.
These students were all participating in Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), a volunteer program that matches law students with not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, individuals, and other public interest groups, to provide pro bono legal services and access to justice.
The term pro bono comes from the Latin phrase pro bono publico meaning for the public good. PBSC was founded in 1996 and now operates nationally in 16 law schools coast-to-coast. The PBSC program at the University of Ottawa was launched in 1998.
In the 2004-2005 school year, the program will expand to include University of Ottawa civil law students.
