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Difference between revisions of "Lesson Module Legal Information and Legal Advice for Settlement Workers"
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Lesson Module Legal Information and Legal Advice for Settlement Workers (view source)
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'''Why is it important that settlement workers understand the difference between legal information and legal advice?''' | '''Why is it important that settlement workers understand the difference between legal information and legal advice?''' | ||
Settlement workers may be the first point of contact for a client with a legal problem. | |||
Settlement workers may be the first point of contact for a client with a legal problem. Helping clients at this early stage is very important. | |||
Workers who understand the difference between legal information and legal advice will have the confidence to help their client: | Workers who understand the difference between legal information and legal advice will have the confidence to help their client: | ||
# identify the legal issue; | # identify the legal issue; | ||
| Line 48: | Line 50: | ||
It is important that you tell your client that you are NOT a lawyer and that your CAN NOT provide legal advice. You might say: | It is important that you tell your client that you are NOT a lawyer and that your CAN NOT provide legal advice. You might say: | ||
''“As a settlement worker, I cannot give you legal advice, but I can help you find general information about the law or find a service where you can get more legal information and advice.”'' | ''“As a settlement worker, I cannot give you legal advice, but I can help you find general information about the law or find a service where you can get more legal information and advice.”'' | ||
Or | Or | ||
''“It sounds like you may need legal advice, since that question is specific to your situation. While I can’t tell you what to do, I can show you how to find information on this topic and I can tell you some places where you may get legal advice.”'' | ''“It sounds like you may need legal advice, since that question is specific to your situation. While I can’t tell you what to do, I can show you how to find information on this topic and I can tell you some places where you may get legal advice.”'' | ||
If a client asks, ‘What can I do?’ Your answer is limited to providing legal information and legal referrals. | If a client asks, ‘What can I do?’ Your answer is limited to providing legal information and legal referrals. | ||
For example: | For example: | ||
My landlord says I have to move out next week. Do I have to? | My landlord says I have to move out next week. Do I have to? | ||
You might say: “I can’t tell you if you have to move or not, but I can show you some information that may help you understand the rules for tenants and landlords. If you still don’t know what to do, I can help you find somebody else to talk to who can help.” | You might say: “I can’t tell you if you have to move or not, but I can show you some information that may help you understand the rules for tenants and landlords. If you still don’t know what to do, I can help you find somebody else to talk to who can help.” | ||
TIP: Always point to the legal information you are giving your client, whether it is online or in print. For example, if a client asks if their landlord can make them move out, show them the website or brochure and point to the section on Tenants’ Rights and Evictions. | TIP: Always point to the legal information you are giving your client, whether it is online or in print. For example, if a client asks if their landlord can make them move out, show them the website or brochure and point to the section on Tenants’ Rights and Evictions. | ||
Don’t rely on your memory – you might give outdated information. | Don’t rely on your memory – you might give outdated information. | ||
Picture of brochure & hand | Picture of brochure & hand | ||
