ALO Clinic
Artists Legal Outreach Clinic
Welcome to the ALO Clinic
Now administered by Arts BC
Are you an artist or someone working in non-profit arts & culture with a legal question? We’re here to help! The Artists Legal Outreach Clinic offers free online or phone sessions of legal summary advice to low-income* artists within the province of BC. Led by a group of volunteer lawyers and law students, our clinic team are here to offer their expertise on issues related to your art practice including copyright, intellectual property, and entertainment law.
For Non-Profit Organizations seeking legal information, please check out Law for Non-Profits here for resources.
*Low-income clients are eligible for the ALO services based on a means test, which is 165% of the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs), as established by Statistics Canada. Clients whose income falls below 165% of the appropriate LICO receive free legal services. This is consistent with the requirements of the Lawyer’s Insurance Fund and Access Pro Bono, the registered charity of which the ALO legal clinic is a part of.
How does it work?
Simply fill out our ALO Clinic Intake Form* to get started. On the form, you will be asked to provide some personal information along with details on the legal questions or issues you’re looking to get support with as it relates to your art practice.
Once the form is completed, it will be reviewed to determine whether your legal questions or issues are within the scope and expertise of our team of volunteer lawyers.
If your submission is reviewed successfully, you will then get matched with a volunteer lawyer for a 30 minute online or telephone session of confidential legal summary advice.**
* If you are working in film – you must also complete the Film Questionnare along with the Intake form.
** An ALO volunteer law student will occasionally observe a session – all volunteers are bound by the same duties of privacy and confidentiality.
Who can access the clinic?
The ALO Clinic program is solely open to low-income artists in all disciplines in the province of British Columbia.
If you are unsure of your income status in relation to the ALO clinic, please go ahead and submit the intake form, our ALO team will verify this information at the time of reviewing your submission.
What are the clinic sessions like?
Sessions are 30 minutes long and held remotely via Zoom or phone. During the session, the lawyer will offer insights to your legal questions and concerns as summary legal advice – which means the insights provided will be more general in nature, as the lawyer cannot offer more specific and comprehensive advice due to limited resources, time and capacity.
Please jump ahead to the FAQ section for more information on accessing the clinic, what legal questions we can and cannot answer, and how to best prepare for a session.
More About the Clinic
What is now the ALO Clinic program began as the Arts and Performers Legal Advice and Workshop Series (APLAWS). APLAWS was the creation of the late Burt Harris, a friend and colleague to many in the arts, who for many years tried to get a legal advice clinic for artists off the ground. Without his steadfast efforts we would not be here.
For many years, the ALO Clinic was led by the Pacific Legal Education and Outreach Society (PLEO), spearheaded by Martha Rans, KC. Martha has contributed thousands of hours over multiple decades to support artists and arts organizations, providing strategic advice and information, countless education opportunities, and sector advocacy. Her work has impacted artists across the country and made the ALO what it is today.
In 2023, the program transferred over to us at Arts BC. We are happy to carry this important legacy of the advocates that worked tirelessly to develop and provide this essential service to the sector.
The aim of this program is to support local artists across BC better navigate legal situations that emerge in the arts & culture sector with the help of experienced lawyers – and to get answers to questions on topics ranging from contract renewals, copyright law, and more.
Who are the folks running the clinic?
The ALO Clinic is run by a team of volunteer lawyers and law students committed to supporting artists and arts & culture workers. All lawyers who volunteer for the clinic program are specialized in areas of law related to our sector.
Want to Volunteer?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can access this program?
The ALO Clinic is open to low income artists in all disciplines with legal questions related to their art practice including art, entertainment, business, and copyright issues.
Where is my appointment?
Appointments with clinic lawyers are all online via Zoom or over the telephone. ALO no longer offers an in-person clinic.
How long is my appointment?
Each appointment is 30 minutes long.
Who will be at my appointment?
Each appointment is private and confidential between you and a lawyer, however, you may have a companion present at the appointment should you wish. One of the ALO volunteer law student coordinators might observe the session if you consent. All volunteers are bound by the same duties of privacy and confidentiality.
How do I book an appointment?
Complete an Intake Form with as many details about your legal issue as possible. You must be a low income artist and qualify for services. Your eligibility will be evaluated by the legal supervisor based on a means test. The intake form is online, or you can print out a copy and send it to us by email at [email protected].
When is the clinic held? When is my appointment?
A volunteer will contact you to schedule a online Zoom or telephone appointment after your intake form has been reviewed. Best efforts are made to match artists in particular disciplines with lawyers who have expertise in that area.
How much does an appointment cost?
Appointments are free of charge. That said, the program relies on donations and contributions are greatly appreciated when possible.
How is my contribution used?
Contributions are used to offset administrative costs and to develop workshops on legal issues in the arts.
I’ve sent in my intake form. Now what do I do?
You will be contacted when the ALO team has reviewed your intake form, do a conflict check, and scheduled the next clinic. Since the ALO is run entirely by volunteers, it may take up to 7 days before you hear from us.
What information will I get at a clinic?
The lawyer will answer your questions based on the facts you describe and their knowledge in that particular area of law. The answers given will be summary legal advice.
What questions can I ask at the clinic?
All issues discussed must be related to your artistic practice. Questions about the following matters are common:
- Contracts
- Copyright
- Defamation
What questions can’t the clinic answer?
We cannot answer questions about a family law issue, tax issues, immigration, criminal law or questions unrelated to the pursuit of your artistic practice. But the following agency can and will answer such questions: Access ProBono.
If you aren’t sure whether you qualify for advice, simply complete and submit an intake form. The ALO team will review it and let you know whether it can be addressed at a clinic or not.
My question can’t be answered at a clinic. What do I do?
We will provide a referral to anyone who has questions in areas of law not handled at the clinic, or questions that are too complicated to be handled in a 30-minute, summary advice session. Alternatively, you can contact the following agency: Access ProBono.
What is summary legal advice?
Summary legal advice is a legal answer that is general in nature and qualified. The lawyer cannot provide more specific advice because they have not done any lengthy background research on your particular situation.
What should I prepare for my appointment?
Please bring any documents that relate to your legal question and writing materials if you want to take notes.
What is the means test?
Clients are eligible for the ALO services based on a means test, which is 165% of the Low Income Cut-Offs (LICOs), as established by Statistics Canada. Clients whose income falls below 165% of the appropriate LICO receive free legal services. This is consistent with the requirements of the Lawyer’s Insurance Fund and Access Pro Bono, the registered charity of which the ALO legal clinic is a part of. If you are unsure, please fill in the intake form and the clinic team will review for eligibility.
What is a conflict check?
When a lawyer starts practicing law, they promise to give undivided loyalty to every client. This ensures that the lawyer gives unbiased legal advice. In order to keep that promise, a lawyer must make sure they are not connected to any other person, organization or company involved in your legal matter. The lawyer reviews all past and current clients and files to make sure that they have not had any dealings with any of those parties.
Why do you need the names of all the people involved in my legal issue?
The names of any people, organizations or businesses related to your legal issue are given to the lawyer scheduled to meet with you. Before your appointment takes place, the lawyer runs those names through a conflict check.
I attended an ALO clinic and now I have more questions. What do I do?
To book a follow-up session on the same, new or related legal issue, complete a new intake form, and submit it to the ALO. If you would like to follow-up with the same lawyer, please indicate this on your intake form. Best efforts will be made to accommodate your request. Please be aware that it may take more time to schedule the same lawyer for you and we might be unable to do so.
Have Questions?
If you are interested in learning more or have further questions about this program, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at +1-778-410-5104.
