Human Rights and Constitutional Law Advocates

Description

Job Title: Human Rights & Constitutional Law Advocate
Organization: The Independent Canadian Commission on Human and Civil Rights
Location: Ontario (Courts and Tribunals)
Type: Not-for-Profit / Grassroots Community Organization

Role Overview

You will observe, monitor, and investigate court hearings specifically within Ottawa / Ontario. Your main focus is to watch trials with self-represented litigants. You will check if the court process follows constitutional law and the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure.

Key Responsibilities

• Court Observation: Attend public court hearings and trials via Zoom within Ontario.
• Focus on Litigants: Pay close attention to cases involving self-represented litigants.
• Monitor Compliance: Check if case management and hearings respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.
• Intake Complaints: Receive and listen to concerns and complaints from active litigants.
• Investigate Issues: Review facts to see if a real breach of rights or civil procedure happened.
• Write Reports: Compile formal, detailed reports when you find a violation of the law or rules. 

Qualifications & Skills

• Self-Motivated: Able to work independently with little supervision.
• Knowledge Base: Strong understanding of the Canadian Charter, Ontario Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, Canadian Multiculturalism Act, and Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure. 
• Systemic Awareness: A critical understanding of natural justice, procedural fairness, and a critical appreciation of racism at all levels of the justice system.
• Analytical Skills: Able to judge court procedures fairly and spot legal rule breaks.
• Communication: Excellent listening skills for taking litigant complaints and clear writing skills for formal reports.

Compensation

We're seeking lawyers who will work on a pro bono or contingency free retainer basis for one to two months and then transition into paid retainers to enable our community-driven human and civil rights organization to grow in service to various marginalized and other communities.

About our organization

The Independent Canadian Commission on Human and Civil Rights is a grassroots and community-focused not-for-profit which seeks to empower Canadians toward a just society for all.