Return to home page

Keewaytinok Native Legal Services

Policy: Principles of Operation

adopted November 15, 1999

This policy sets out general guidelines for the provision of services by Keewaytinok Native Legal Services.

1. Keewaytinok Native Legal Services is a community legal clinic that provides services to the people of Peawanuck, Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Moose Factory, Mocreebec, Moosonee and New Post.

2. Services are provided from a full-time office in Moosonee, a satellite office in Moose Factory and through visits and other communications to the other communities. We will attempt to meet requests for special visits.

3. Every attempt is made to as accessible as possible. While we prefer to see clients by appointment (to permit preparation for interviews), we will try to accommodate clients who need to see a lawyer with as little delay as possible.

4. The clinic does not provide formal representation in certain types of cases including criminal law, divorce, civil litigation (lawsuits), business law and real estate. Some basic summary advice may be provided in these areas.

5. Our services are directed at people with low incomes or people with Native law problems. However, we try to be as flexible as possible, especially when dealing with people in remote communities where other services may not be readily available. Basic advice may be provided to anyone.

6. Whenever we are unable to handle a matter we try to refer the client to someone who is willing to handle it.

7. While we try to spend as much time as necessary on individual cases to make sure that clients understand their rights and are able to enforce them, we reserve the right to decline to handle cases that are clearly without merit, are without reasonable likelihood of success or that are unlikely to provide a significant benefit to anyone.

8. We do not handle claims against First Nations or their agencies. We do not represent clients who are attempting to obtain benefits or decisions from First Nations. When someone contacts with such a claim (e.g. someone who has been fired from a job with a First Nation) we refer them to another lawyer or appropriate agency.

9. We provide public legal education through workshops and publications. We work in cooperation with other organizations to deliver educational services.

10. We provide assistance to First Nations, their agencies and to non-profit organizations.

11. Our services are provided without charge. However, clients are asked to reimburse us for the cost of funds paid out on their behalf, whenever they are able to do so.

12. Information provided to us by our clients is kept confidential. Our Board of Directors is provided with statistical and non-identifying information about the work of the clinic.