Over the past number of years PILA has worked with its social justice organisations and partner law firms and in-house legal teams to develop sustaining projects focused on addressing a particular unmet legal need.
In 2015 PILA developed a partnership between Inclusion Ireland, the legal team at LinkedIn and law firm Mason Hayes & Curran wherein people with an intellectual disability are assisted in making a will. For Inclusion Ireland, the most frequent and prevailing legal query received from members is advice on the making of a will. It is a significant unmet legal need, with an identified lack of specialist expertise within the legal profession in how to tailor a will in a way that best accommodates a person with an intellectual disability.
PILA initially set about drafting best practice guidelines on how to take instructions from a person with an intellectual disability. These guidelines were then used to deliver sensitivity training to the team of pro bono lawyers. The lawyers involved in the project were also trained on the relevant law; as well as issues related to intellectual disabilities, communication and accessibility.
During its pilot phase, the project has helped 7 people with an intellectual disability draft a will or learn more about the will making process. While the clinics aim to empower clients to take care of their own affairs, ultimately the project hopes to gather learning for the wider legal community.
As one client put it, “The solicitors explained everything to me as they went along. They listened to me very much. I thought they were excellent. I asked a few questions and if I couldn’t understand they explained it to me. I found it hard at the beginning, but they explained it to me and now I understand. They were very helpful and nice people to work with.”
The project was featured in Inclusion Ireland’s Annual Report from 2015, which can be accessed in video format here.
If you are working in a social justice organisation and are interested in learning more about how your organisation can access legal support via PILA please contact Legal Officer Eithne Lynch at Eithne.lynch@flac.ie.