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Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland (PLIAN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people about legal issues. We are the Newfoundland and Labrador component of Public Legal Education Association of Canada (PLEAC). This national association is a network of legal education societies.
PLIAN is funded by the Department of Justice, Canada, The Department of Justice, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
PLIAN's mandate is to assist Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in understanding the law and make the legal system more accessible. We are a resource available to all who require information about the law, legal processes and the administration of justice.
We offer many different services including:
Lawyer Referral Service
The Lawyer Referral Service is available to individuals who require assistance in obtaining a lawyer. Lawyers who wish to be enrolled in our database register annually and state the areas of law in which they prefer to practice. The people who contact our service are offered the names of three lawyers who practice in a particular area. The individuals can then contact the lawyers to arrange a half-hour session at a nominal charge. A regular evaluation process is maintained by requesting both the client and the lawyer to complete an evaluation form.
Legal Information Line
The Legal Information Line provides general information about the law. PLIAN maintains monthly statistics which report on the type and quantity of inquiries in the particular areas of law. The data enable us to assess the legal areas of need for our information sessions and publications.
School Visits
Visits to local schools enable PLIAN to disseminate information, to encourage students to learn about the law, and increase awareness of our resources. We have formed partnerships with different high schools and participate in the Canadian Law Course, Co-op Law Programs and Career Days. We also offer a placement for a Political Science Course at Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Information Sessions/Speaker's Bureau
Through these sessions, PLIAN is able to provide the public with information on particular legal issues. Over the past year, the focus has been the Child Support Guidelines and the Youth Justice Renewal Initiative.
Publications
PLIAN regularly produces publications on many areas of the law. We also publish a quarterly newsletter, which focuses on a particular area of law. PLIAN distributes copies of its publications throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Phillipines. These publications are available on the publications section of this website.
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