Osgoode Hall Law School is launching a new pilot initiative that will see JD students provide practical, non-legal support to Self-Represented workers and employers preparing appeals before Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal (WSIAT).
Coordinated through the Winkler Institute for Dispute Resolution, the project offers students a unique opportunity to engage directly with administrative justice while helping reduce barriers for individuals navigating the appeals process without legal representation.
Nine students have volunteered as part of their Osgoode Public Interest Requirement. While they will not be offering legal advice, their role is crucial: assisting parties in gathering documents, organizing evidence, and preparing materials to clearly present their stories to adjudicators. For many, WSIAT hearings are the first—and sometimes only—chance to testify in person, making preparation essential.
“The goal is to reduce barriers for Self-Represented parties while giving students valuable insight into the realities of administrative law,” said Professor Patricia McMahon, who will oversee the program. “It’s a way for students to contribute meaningfully while gaining skills they can’t learn in a classroom.”
Students received training from WSIAT on administrative law, workplace safety and insurance matters, and tribunal procedures. They’ll also follow strict confidentiality protocols and work in pairs when meeting with parties to ensure ethical and professional standards are upheld.
To ensure the tribunal’s independence, the pilot is structured so that WSIAT remains separate from the initiative. The Winkler Institute provides the institutional foundation, while a network of local practitioners will be available to support students with technical questions as they arise.
Organizers plan to closely evaluate the initiative to assess both student learning outcomes and the impact on Self-Represented parties. If successful, the model could be adapted for use with other tribunals and administrative bodies.
“This is exactly the kind of innovative, community-focused access to justice initiative Osgoode is committed to—one that empowers our students while making a real difference in people’s lives,” said Dean Trevor Farrow.
Learn more about the initiative on the WSIAT website