Legal Literacy Resources
Standing Up for Yourself

The Canadian Legal System is a complex and interconnected relationship between the government, courts, law enforcement, public officials, and Canadian society. Laws exist to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms while, at the same time, giving us rules that help govern and maintain a well-ordered society.

As with the general population, those who are in the Corrections System have legal needs that include, but are not limited to:

• Legal representation and counsel,
• Self-representation in court,
• Matters related to family law, including custody or divorce, issues related to immigration and/or extradition, or issues related to suing or being sued.

The goal of this course is to help you understand your legal rights and responsibilities should you choose to self-represent in the justice system. The course will look at legal terms and definitions that you should know, the initial steps you can expect to take as a self-representing litigant (SRL), and how the Disciplinary court system works within federal institutions. By the end of this course, you will be able to make more informed decisions based on your unique needs and circumstances. 

Our project partners are the Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE), the John Howard Society of Canada, and the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ).