About CLS
Community Legal Services (CLS) is a legal clinic operated by the Faculty of Law at Western University.
We provide free legal assistance and representation to low-income and marginalized members of the London/Middlesex community, as well as to Western University and Fanshawe College students.
Opening in 1970 under the name "Student Legal Aid Services Society" (SLASS), the clinic was overseen by faculty members. Then, In 1977, the first full-time lawyer was hired and the clinic began operating under its current structure.
In the years following, CLS grew to have four lawyers — one Director and three Review Counsel — on staff.
By working at the clinic under the supervision of Review Counsel, our current law students are able to give back to the community while receiving valuable practical legal training.
We are funded by Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario, and student levies.
CLS articles
- Glitchy screens, 'cat lawyers' and hot mics: The perils of Zoom courts (Apr. 8, 2021)
CLS in the media
- Another threat to student legal clinics – this time from Ontario (May 9, 2019)
- CLS celebrates 50 years of service to the community (May 16, 2019)
- Doug Ferguson lauded as Alumnus of Distinction (Apr. 15, 2019)
- Clinic at Western University will get funding from Legal Aid to take family law cases (Sept. 3, 2014)
- Legal Aid Ontario funds family law services at CLS (Sept. 2, 2014)
- Bringing justice to the community (Feb. 28, 2014)
- The case for change (Feb. 24, 2014)
