The PBSC logo superimposed over a black and white photograph of people sitting around a table.

At Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), we envision a society with accessible legal systems, where the dignity and rights of every person are upheld. Our mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice.

PBSC was founded in 1996 at the University of Toronto, and currently has chapters in 22 law schools across the country. Each year, the University of Toronto PBSC Chapter places over 120 volunteer law students at the University of Toronto with public interest organizations, legal clinics, tribunals, courts and lawyers taking on pro bono projects. Students perform a variety of law-related tasks, which include completing legal research, providing legal information to organizations and individuals, and performing client intake. In some cases, and under significant lawyer supervision, students work on files for unrepresented litigants and appear before courts and tribunals. 

Every year, about 1,500 PBSC volunteers across Canada provide approximately 120,000 hours of free legal services to between 400-450 organizations, courts and tribunals across the country. That’s equivalent to 62 people working full-time for a year!

PBSC's student volunteer recruitment takes place in September. We also have other ways to get involved throughout the year.

To learn more about the University of Toronto PBSC Chapter, visit us here.