Pro Bono Students Canada

Who we are

Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC)

PBSC was founded in 1996 at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.

Since then, PBSC has expanded to have chapters in all 22 Canadian law schools. Each year across Canada, 1,600 PBSC law student volunteers provide approximately 140,000 hours of free legal services to over 400 public interest and other community organizations, courts and tribunals. PBSC is the only national student program in Canada, the only national pro bono program in the country, and the only national pro bono service organization anywhere in the world. PBSC McGill began in 2000 and has been going strong since then. During the 2018-2019 school year, PBSC McGill had over 50 law student volunteers who worked with and provided legal services to 21 different community organizations across Montreal.

PBSC Objectives

Provide volunteer law students with opportunities to develop their legal skills and be involved in their communities
Have a positive impact on the legal profession through the promotion of pro bono service
Increase access to justice in Canada

PBSC Values

Dignity

We believe that every person is entitled to respect, to have their voice heard, and to fully enjoy their rights.
Equity

We stand for substantive equality, inclusion, and diversity in all its forms. We focus on impact (not just good intentions).
Humility

We prioritize listening, learning, and self-reflection. We value the wisdom of the communities we serve, and their lived experiences inform our work.

PBSC Approach

Collaborative

We engage approximately 1,500 law students annually to provide free legal information and services in partnership with community organizations and supervising lawyers and notaries.
Visionary

We cultivate future leaders, advocates and allies through training and experiential learning opportunities. PBSC has student-led Chapters at 22 law schools in Canada.
Responsive

Our Chapters respond to local needs in their communities across all areas of law. At PBSC National, we develop programs that address complex and systemic inequities.