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Difference between revisions of "Settlement Workers Guide to What is Legal Information and What is Legal Advice"
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Settlement Workers Guide to What is Legal Information and What is Legal Advice (view source)
Revision as of 18:30, 6 March 2014
, 18:30, 6 March 2014no edit summary
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*find and understand some of the legal information that can help, and | *find and understand some of the legal information that can help, and | ||
*know where they can go to next if they need more information or if they need legal advice. | *know where they can go to next if they need more information or if they need legal advice. | ||
This is also an opportunity to help clients understand your role and the difference between legal information and advice. Clients who are new to Canada may not understand the legal system here. They may be upset because of the situation, and could think the legal information you have provided is legal advice. They may see you as the ‘expert’ and leave the office thinking they have talked to a lawyer or have been given legal advice. | |||
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.”'' | |||
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.”'' | |||