How the Centre works

The Public Interest Law Centre operates as part of Legal Aid Manitoba, but has a mandate to represent groups and individuals on cases which will impact the law or classes of people broadly. The Centre is selective about which cases to undertake. Factors include legal merit, social significance, resources required to conduct the case, finances and credibility of the organization or individual seeking assistance, and current priorities and workload of the Centre.

Clients may be asked to pay some or all of the costs of litigation, depending on the circumstances.

Funding for the Centre comes from the Manitoba Law Foundation, client contributions, recovery of cost awards from Courts and tribunals, donations from the public, Legal Aid Manitoba salary dollars and in-kind services, and members of the Manitoba Bar Association (cash donations, donated Legal Aid fees and donated professional services under the Bar's Pro Bono project launched in 1995 to assist the Centre's work).

For more information, contact Byron Williams at the Public Interest Law Centre, 610-294 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg MB, R3C 0B9. Phone (204) 985-8540, fax (204) 985-8544, or e-mail centre@pilc.mb.ca.