Family Law Legal Information Program (FLLIP)

FLLIP is a partnership between PBSC UNB, Women in Transition House Ltd., Liberty Lane Inc., Multicultural Association of Fredericton, Brunswick Street Baptist Church, as well as other organizations as appropriate.  The project recruits five lawyer supervisors, or more if required, to help the students and monitor their work.  The students meet with the clients for two hours at the Brunswick Street Baptist Church in Fredericton every second Monday starting on October 1, 2013.  During the week, the students will research the topics discussed with the clients and report back to them at the next meeting.

Last year FLLIP volunteers provided legal information to approximately 6 clients from Liberty Lane, the Transition House, and the Brunswick Street Baptist Church.  The students provided information on custody, divorce, child and spousal support, division of marital property, issues surrounding abuse, pardons, and other issues relating to these topics.

A new initiative suggested by the PBSC National Branch was to give a group information session to interested referral organizations was launched in 2012.  This year three Public Legal Education seminars were held with Liberty Lane and with the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, over 80 participants attended these sessions. Topics included divorce, custody, and support payments.

FLLIP has expanded in Fredericton over its initial years.  Its most recent connection to a referral organization, as well as its meeting location, has been with the Brunswick Street Baptist Church.  The 2013-2014 FLLIP coordinator, Tracy Bannier, intends on continuing the project’s expansion, including making connections with additional referral organizations and continuing group information sessions for interested referral organizations. Additionally, Tracy will work on a small rebranding of the program to help it better align with the national equivalents.