Projects
Recent CLIA projects:
Think Tank on Access to Family Justice
In response to hundreds of calls each year from Islanders who have limited access to the family justice system, Community Legal Information Association (CLIA) and the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women (ACSW) collaborated to host a Think Tank on Access to Family Justice. The Think Tank took place on November 25th, 2011 and drew participants from a broad spectrum of government and community organizations. The purpose of the Think Tank on Access to Family Justice was to have key stakeholders participate in a facilitated discussion to gather diverse perspectives and innovative options that could improve access to family justice on Prince Edward Island. For more about the results and recommendations from this landmark event, please read the Report.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Law Foundation of PEI and the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention. The organizing committee also wishes to thank the speakers and panel presenters who donated their time and expertise.
Safety Plan for Women with Intellectual Challenges
In collaboration with PEI People First, CLIA is producing a safety plan for women who have intellectual challenges. Focus groups of women who identify as having an intellectual challenge provided the insight and content of the plan. This project is on its second phase, with a draft of the safety plan ready to be presented to the focus groups for critique and revision. This document will be available online in Spring 2012. We are grateful for the financial support of the Interministerial Women's Secretariat.
Best Interests of the Children in Custody and Access
As part of CLIA's ongoing effort to support improved access to justice for all Islanders, we are now hosting a course for parents who are dealing with a custody and access dispute. The course, "Best Interests of the Children in Custody and Access" is led by a volunteer family law lawyer and facilitated by a CLIA staff member. Participants will learn about different custody and access arrangements, what a judge considers, "the best interests of a child", alternatives to going to court, and what someone might expect to encounter if they need to go to court for a family law matter. All participants will also receive a helpful family law packet containing important contact information, resources, tips for court, and plain-language glossary.
CLIA also welcomes professionals who work with separating and divorcing parents to attend our course. For information on upcoming times and dates please see our current news and events section.
CLIA staff and Board members gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the United Way of PEI. We would also like to thank all of the lawyers who donate their time and expertise to this project.
Seniors Symposia
In 2011, CLIA hosted multiple events for seniors. Going to different communities, such as Montague, Summerside and Charlottetown, CLIA brought together experts from across sectors for a day long session on planning ahead issues. Seniors had the opportunity to go to different discussion tables on topic such as Powers of Attorney, Wills, Health Care Directives, and Grandparents' Rights. This initiative was a huge success and we continue to recieve calls asking us to do scaled down presentations of the materials. This project was funded by the Community Foundation of PEI and the Seniors Secretariat of PEI.
Other CLIA projects:
- Self Represented Litigants - a study in the Supreme Court of PEI
- Self Represented Litigants Follow Up Project
- The Abuse of Older Adults: What Islanders Need to Know - a three year project
- Criminal Code Revisions & New Provincial Legislation - Victims of Crime project
- Family Law Workshop - held Spring 2009 in Charlottetown