How public legal education supports access to justice and the rule of law

For our justice system to work effectively, everyone needs to understand their rights, responsibilities and what to do when they face a legal issue. Public legal education is an essential part of improving access to justice, and it supports a fundamental principle in our society – the rule of law.

For this episode, we have invited Nora Bergh, Director of BC Programs at the Justice Education Society. She has spent the last decade dedicated to helping British Columbians learn about the law and our justice system so they can be better equipped to deal with their legal issues.

She explores how public legal education supports individuals and communities, what programs the Justice Education Society offers, how a well-informed public can help reinforce the rule of law.

Speaker biography

Nora Bergh is the BC Program Director the Justice Education Society. As a non-practicing lawyer, Nora brings content expertise and plain language skills to help British Columbians learn about the law and our justice system, assisting them to be more able to deal with their legal issues. She oversees program and project operations, managing staff, deliverables and budgets, as well as ensures that projects achieve measurable impact. 

Prior to joining the Justice Education Society in 2016, Nora articled with Lindsay Kenney LLP, was a Research Assistant at UBC and an LSAT Instructor. She has been an active volunteer, providing legal advice to clients of Atira Women’s Resource Society, Acccess ProBono, UBC First Nations Legal Clinics and UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program. Nora has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UBC, a Master of Science in International Business from Oxford Brookes University in Hungary and Juris Doctor degree from UBC.

Resources

• Visit the Justice Education Society of BC website for more information on their programs and initiatives
• Families Change provides age-appropriate information to help kids, teens and parents deal with a family break up. 
• LegalHelpBC.ca provides free answers to frequently asked legal questions and includes a live chat option and a hot line for callers.
• Camp Justice is a one-week legal boot camp for students interested in the law, social justice, or a legal career.