Get Funding
Who can apply?
Any UBC student, student group of third party with a legal issue of importance to the UBC (Vancouver) student body. There is no financial eligibility criteria.
What kind of legal matter does the SLFS consider?
The SLFS will consider any application for funding, in almost any matter of law, as long as the case meets our mandate.
Possible areas of law include, but are not limited to:
Employment
Student visa issues
Insurance
Personal injury
Healthcare
Tenancy issues
Equity and inclusion
Sexual assault and misconduct
Academic integrity
University grading practices
What is the SLFS Case Funding application criteria?
The SLFS will accept all applications, in any area of law in BC, as long as your issue meets our mandate’s requirements, as listed:
Your issue must relate to UBC specifically;
Your issue must have broad implications for students. In other words, it can’t be a very specific, one-time issue that is relevant just for you. It must be applicable to multiple cases, potential or existing.
Does the SLFS provide legal advice to applicants?
No, the SLFS does not provide legal advice to applicants. Our process ensures objective review of each case funding application. If successful, the SLFS may provide financial aid, not legal advice.
How long does the application process take?
It takes around 3-4 weeks for our Board and Litigation Committee to review and reach a decision regarding your application. During this time, our website has a list of external resources that provide support, legal advice or legal representation to residents of BC. Most of these services are free of cost, just like us!
SLFS Confidentiality Statement
All case information communicated to the SLFS will remain confidential, and will be used strictly for reviewing your case funding application.
The Application Process
Step 1
Applicants complete the online application form below, and submit the liability form and all supplemental documentation via email to support@studentlegal.org.
If you would like advice regarding your application before officially submitting it, please contact president@studentlegal.org to book a time to discuss your application.
Step 2
The application will be briefly reviewed for the first time by the SLFS administrative team. All members of the administrative are bound by Non-Disclosure Agreement, your privacy is of paramount concern. Any information provided in your application falls under the purview of these NDAs.
If your application can be strengthened, you will be referred to a student clinician at the UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) before it proceeds to the next stages. If your application is acceptable for review, it will proceed automatically.
Step 3
The SLFS Board of Directors will review your application to make sure that it meets our mandate and pass it on to the Litigation Committee. Again, all Directors have signed a NDA to protect your privacy.
Step 4
The Litigation Committee will assess the case to see how much funding can be allocated to your case. The Litigation Committee is composed of lawyers, legal academics and law students. They provide expert insight into whether your case application meets our mandate.
The Litigation Committee may assign limited initial funding to the case in order to obtain a legal memo for it. If this happens, they will then review the legal memo to see if further funding can be allocated to your case.
Step 5
We will communicate the final decision, as well as the funding amount to you, if applicable.
If your case is approved, SLFS may put you in contact with a lawyer, and if needed, you can apply for further funding. If your case is not approved, we will inform you of the decision, along with the reasoning behind it, and will invite you to apply again.
Application Tips
Provide supporting documentation (e.g. emails, paperwork, examples, etc.). This assists the Litigation Committee assess your case application.
Specify on what legal outcome you would like to see.
Provide information that is directly relevant to your case.