access to justice News Archive

November 28, 2025 — 
Some of the most unique and cutting-edge areas of law were covered during the four Manitoba Access to Justice week webinar events presented October 27 – 31, 2025. The Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Bar Association, and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law collaborated on presenting public webinars on topics ranging from how to provide accessible legal services; using AI in legal practice to assist with accessibility; how art and media can be used to gain access to justice; and the growing use of Gladue Reports,  the impact of race and culture assessments, and sentencing circles in Canadian courts.

July 17, 2025 — 
On May 23rd and 26th, 2025, the University of Manitoba and Manitoba Law Foundation co-hosted the second annual Access to Justice (A2J) Forum. The theme this year, “National Vision, Manitoba Momentum,” was centred around the strides Manitoba is making to walk in step with A2J initiatives across Canada.

November 20, 2024 — 
Record-breaking numbers of people registered for Manitoba’s four Access to Justice Week webinars presented October 28 to 31, 2024. A total of 990 registrations were received from 555 unique individuals. For the fourth year in a row, The Faculty of Law, Law Society of Manitoba, and the Manitoba Bar Association organized panels designed to bring together stakeholders in the legal community to develop meaningful, public-centred solutions that advance systemic change in the justice system.

October 9, 2024 — 
Access to Justice Week brings together stakeholders in the legal community to develop meaningful, public-centred solutions that advance systemic change in the justice system. This week is an opportunity to learn about new initiatives, connect with diverse partners and explore critical access to justice issues from different perspectives. The theme for Manitoba's fourth annual Access to Justice Week is Increasing Impact: Collaboration, Change, and Capacity Building. Together, the Faculty of Law, the Law Society of Manitoba, and the Manitoba Bar Association will offer four free, engaging virtual events open to the public.

July 22, 2024 — 
The Faculty of Law has been busy hosting a variety of Justice-related events this summer while law students are away working and gaining hands-on legal practice experience. On May 6th-7th, 2024, the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Law Foundation hosted the first annual Access to Justice Forum. This year the focus of the Forum was supporting A2J for Indigenous & racialized communities in Manitoba. The Forum included presentations from Marc Kruse (Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services, U of M, Faculty of Law), Laurelle Harris, K.C. (Equitable Solutions Consulting) and the British Columbia Indigenous Justice Centre.

April 22, 2024 — 
From March 24-27, law students from the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic attended the second annual Northern Arts & Food Workshop hosted at University College of the North in The Pas. While in The Pas students stayed on the Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) at Kikiwak Inn. Learn about OCN and inspiring plans for the Opaskwayak community.

January 26, 2024 — 
The Faculty of Law congratulates Natasha Brown [BEd/2001; LLB/2005] on being presented with the Manitoba Bar Association’s 2023 Access to Justice award for her contributions. Brown was presented with the award at the MBA 2024 Mid-Winter Conference awards luncheon held on January 19.

November 10, 2023 — 
The fourth National Access to Justice week took place October 23 – 27, 2023. This year’s theme was centred around the 10th Anniversary of Canada’s Justice Development Goals. In Manitoba, the Faculty of Law, the Law Society of Manitoba and the Manitoba Bar Association joined forces to present a full week of events. For its part, the Faculty of Law hosted a hybrid panel discussion on Tuesday, October 24, titled Access to Justice in French: A World to Discover.

October 20, 2023 — 
On Friday morning, October 13, 2023, Justice Gerald Heckman was warmly welcomed back to Robson Hall. Prior to his appointment to the Federal Court of Appeal on June 1, 2023, Justice Heckman was well-known and respected at the Faculty of Law as Professor Heckman.

July 14, 2023 — 
Pro Bono Students Canada is a national pro bono organization with Chapters at 22 law schools across the country, including the University of Manitoba. The PBSC’s mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice. Volunteers at the University of Manitoba chapter have gained valuable legal experience in clinical settings, on research projects, and as legal interns throughout the Academic Year. By exposing law students to the value of Pro Bono service, PBSC aims to encourage the next generation of lawyers to make pro bono service an everyday part of their practice.