To assume the role of a Small Claims Court Navigator, it is important to become comfortable with the materials that you will be using to help navigate a person through the small claims court process.

Role of the Small Claims Court Navigator

• REMEMBER – the Navigator provides LEGAL INFORMATION ONLY – not Legal Advice. 
•   pdf Job Description for Small Claims Court Navigator(65 KB)

Goal of a Small Claims Court Navigator is to help a self-represented individual:

• understand their issue(s) and options
• gain confidence with making a decision for conflict resolution
• make less frequent use of formal court processes
• have proper documentation where proceeding with court-based action

Training Tools - The training rools to be reviewed include:

(1) Legal Information versus Legal Advice – What’s the Difference?

(2)  pdf Options for resolving a Legal Issue(129 KB)

(3) Small Claims Court App - https://smallclaims.legalinfo.org - This is the main navigation tool that a small claims court navigator will use when meeting with a self-represented individual.  The navigator will refer to the small claims court app and review it with a self-represented individual

(4) Understanding Small Claims Court

To help you understand the Small Claims Court process you will find orientation materials that provide an overview of the court system, how to start and defend a claim and how to be a good self-advocate.  Case examples are also provided to help you apply your knowledge with case decisions that explain the process.  Videos are also available to help the navigator and the person representing themself.  A video series is under production to take a person through the entire small claims court process.  Currently a sample on “telling your story effectively” is available and longer videos that are being edited are also available for viewing.  Finally, a Small Claims Court Quiz with answer key is provided to test your knowledge.

In order to offer the Small Claims Court Navigator Program, it is necessary to recruit volunteers interested in working in this role. 

Where to Recruit? Volunteers may be recruited from a variety of places including:

1. Volunteer organizations, church groups, social groups, places that already have existing volunteers and who can recruit new volunteers for this program
2. Organizations that provide public services such as libraries and justice centres and can arrange for training of staff
3. A group of interested community members who wish to work together to offer this service

When to Recruit? Before recruiting volunteers it is important to identify:

• the need for the program – if the local justice centre is not organizing the training, schedule a meeting with the Court Administrator to discuss expected demand for a navigator service and this will help determine the number of volunteers to be recruited initially
• a coordinator for the program (organize meetings of volunteers initially and support logistical requirements of program)
• a place for holding an in-person meeting of volunteers where training can be reviewed
• a scheduling system such as the use of the free doodle service to coordinate time availability of volunteers to meet
• be clear on the expectations of volunteers (unpaid, time commitment of one half day per month)
• consider meeting locations for the small claims court navigators to meet with self-represented individuals (public libraries, coffee shop, justice centre)
• volunteers want to be kept busy once trained - think about how to match trained navigators with demand for the service – suggest to the Court Administrator at the local justice centre a mandatory referral to a small claims court navigator by small claims court administration staff for any individuals starting or defending a claim for the purpose of a defined test “pilot” period; discuss volunteers’ willingness to be contacted by telephone for information support in addition to or as an alternative to an in-person meeting.

How to Recruit? Tips for Successful Recruiting:

• use a poster ( pdf Poster for recruiting volunteers(168 KB)  ) to help your recruitment efforts
• communicate the volunteer opportunity through volunteer organizations, church groups, social groups
• use social media to promote the recruitment drive
• contact local media (  pdf MediaTraining Kit for LISNS(507 KB) ) such as radio, community newsletters and television to help publicize the volunteer opportunity

What is the Experience of Small Claims Court Navigator Pilot Project in Bridgewater?

The first pilot was launched in Bridgewater in the Fall 2015 with 12 volunteers trained in Spring 2016.  Volunteers were recruited through a combination of outreach by volunteer organizations, media and word of mouth.  Training took place through a series of 3 half day sessions over a 6 week period.  All meetings were held at the Bridgewater Justice Centre.  As of Spring 2018, there are 5 public navigators from the original group, 3 of whom support the small claims court navigator program and 5 support the wills navigator program.  The volunteers come from a diverse range of backgrounds but share a common commitment to helping their communities through quality legal information help.  The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia continues to be so appreciative of their important contribution in providing Nova Scotians with access to justice.

Once small claims court navigators have been recruited and trained it is important to ensure they can reach the people who need their help.  It is very important that communication with the public occur to inform about the service, and how to access a small claims court navigator, when the service is available and where the service is offered.

Advertise Free Legal Information Clinics with Small Claims Court Navigators

Consider using posters at public places such as the courthouse, libraries, community halls, church leaflets and information for front line staff at the justice centre, libraries, and volunteer organizations to distribute can be helpful.  See our pdf Poster(168 KB) for advertising a free legal information clinic which may be a helpful template.

Advertise Free Small Claims Court Navigator Help available at the Court House

If small claims court navigators are attending on-site at the local justice centre to provide the service the sample poster may be useful to post at the justice centre.  See our pdf Poster(66 KB) for advertising the small claims court navigator service in the court house.

Advertise the Small Claims Court Navigator Service

To promote the Small Claims Court app and availability of the Small Claims Court Navigator Service, the pdf sample poster(67 KB) may be useful to adapt and post in public spaces.

Partner with the Media to Get Your Message Out

It is also useful to contact local media, radio, tv and print and get the message out.  See our pdf MediaTraining Kit(507 KB) for helpful tips on getting your message out about the small claims court navigator service.

To assume the role of a Small Claims Court Navigator, it is important to become comfortable with the materials that you will be using to help navigate a person through the small claims court process.

Role of the Small Claims Court Navigator

• REMEMBER – the Navigator provides LEGAL INFORMATION ONLY – not Legal Advice. 
•   pdf Job Description for Small Claims Court Navigator(65 KB)

Goal of a Small Claims Court Navigator is to help a self-represented individual:

• understand their issue(s) and options
• gain confidence with making a decision for conflict resolution
• make less frequent use of formal court processes
• have proper documentation where proceeding with court-based action

Training Tools - The training rools to be reviewed include:

(1) Legal Information versus Legal Advice – What’s the Difference?

(2)  pdf Options for resolving a Legal Issue(129 KB)

(3) Small Claims Court App - https://smallclaims.legalinfo.org - This is the main navigation tool that a small claims court navigator will use when meeting with a self-represented individual.  The navigator will refer to the small claims court app and review it with a self-represented individual

(4) Understanding Small Claims Court

To help you understand the Small Claims Court process you will find orientation materials that provide an overview of the court system, how to start and defend a claim and how to be a good self-advocate.  Case examples are also provided to help you apply your knowledge with case decisions that explain the process.  Videos are also available to help the navigator and the person representing themself.  A video series is under production to take a person through the entire small claims court process.  Currently a sample on “telling your story effectively” is available and longer videos that are being edited are also available for viewing.  Finally, a Small Claims Court Quiz with answer key is provided to test your knowledge.

To assume the role of a Wills Navigator, it is important to become comfortable with the materials that you will be using to help a person get ready to make their will.

Role of the Wills Navigator

• provide LEGAL INFORMATION ONLY – not Legal Advice
• job description for pdf Wills Navigator(64 KB)

Goal of a Wills Navigator

• Help an individual understand what information is required to make a will
•   Answer questions related to the wills preparation process

Training Tools

• The LISNS Wills app is the main tool which a Wills Navigator will use to assist a member of the public with getting prepared to make their will.  On each screen of the wills app there are explanations and definitions of terms provided.
• Materials on Wills & Estate Planning on LISNS website at https://www.legalinfo.org/i-have-a-legal-question/wills-and-estates-law/
• Wills Presentation

In order to offer the Wills Navigator Program, it is necessary to recruit volunteers interested in working in this role.

Where to Recruit? Volunteers may be recruited from a variety of places including:

1. Volunteer organizations, seniors groups, church groups, social groups, places that already have existing volunteers and who can recruit new volunteers for this program
2. Organizations that provide public services such as libraries and justice centres and can arrange for training of staff
3. A group of interested community members who wish to work together to offer this service

When to Recruit? Before recruiting volunteers it is important to identify:

• a coordinator for the program (organize meetings of volunteers initially and support logistical requirements of program)
• a place for holding an in-person meeting of volunteers where training can be reviewed
• a scheduling system such as the use of the free doodle service to coordinate time availability of volunteers to meet
• be clear on the expectations of volunteers (unpaid, time commitment of one half day per month)
• consider meeting locations for the wills navigators to meet with clients (public libraries, coffee shop, justice centre)

How to Recruit? Tips for Successful Recruiting:

• use a pdf poster(167 KB) to help your recruitment efforts
• communicate the volunteer opportunity through volunteer organizations, church groups, social groups
• use social media to promote the recruitment drive
• contact local media (  pdf MediaTraining Kit for LISNS(507 KB) ) such as radio, community newsletters and television to help publicize the volunteer opportunity

It is important to inform the public when the wills navigator service is available.  Ensure sufficient notice is provided to permit people to plan to attend. 

• Posters ( pdf example1(167 KB) , pdf example2(181 KB) ) at the wills clinic location (such as public libraries, community centres) and information for any front line staff to distribute can be helpful communication tools. 
• pdf Local Media(507 KB) - It is also useful to contact local media, radio, tv and print to get your message out about the wills navigator service.

Once you have a wills navigator program in place and a meeting schedule or clinic planned, it is important to ensure details about where, when, how are planned and communicated to the wills navigators.

A. Lessons Learned

• For wills sessions held at the Bridgewater public library, it was first necessary to coordinate a date and time that coincided with the navigators’ schedules.  There is a need for someone to assume this scheduling responsibility.  
• We found it helpful to request people wishing to attend the session pre-book with the place hosting the session to ensure appropriate space and navigator support.
• Wills Navigators initially found it most comfortable to work in teams – clients enjoyed the dynamics.

B. To assist with organizing wills navigator services the following are provided by the Host Organization:

1. Computer with access to LISNS Wills App - have the pages of the Wills App in print form in a folder in case of internet challenges.
2. Chairs and Table for sitting and viewing screen together
3. Provide a nametag which identifies the individual as a Wills Navigator.

C. Instructions for Wills Navigators to Conduct Meetings

• Review  pdf Job Description(64 KB)  for Wills Navigators
• Bring up on the computer screen the LISNS wills app
  
• The forms which you will be using will be in a folder on the desk:
  • STEP A - Upon completion of navigation of the wills app the survey on the app should be completed.
  • STEP B- At the end of the meeting the client should be asked to complete the quick   pdf evaluation form(261 KB)   – please have the client complete this on their own and return to you – they do not need to sign this form.
  • HANDOUTS: Please provide the client with the LISNS Bookmark which has LISNS telephone helpline, livechat and e-mail which will link them to the lawyer referral service for lawyers supporting this initiative.
  • If at any time you do not feel comfortable with the meeting situation you can end the meeting and provide the LISNS bookmark and suggest they contact LISNS.
  • If you do not consider you can assist the person for whatever reason, provide them with the LISNS bookmark and suggest they contact LISNS.