BWSS Public Legal Education Series
Practical legal information for survivors of intimate partner violence and those who support them.
The BWSS Public Legal Education Series is a free monthly webinar series designed to help survivors, community support workers, legal advocates, and others better understand family law, legal rights, and options for increasing safety.
Each workshop is led by experienced family law lawyers and legal professionals who provide practical, survivor-centred legal information in plain language.
Whether you are navigating the legal system yourself or supporting someone who is, these workshops will help you better understand legal processes, common challenges, and available resources.
All workshops are free, held online via Zoom, and take place at 12:00 PM.
Who Should Attend?
✓Survivors of intimate partner violence
✓Community support workers
✓Legal advocates
✓Transition house workers
✓Counsellors & settlement workers
✓Victim service workers
✓Students
✓Lawyers and legal professionals
✓Anyone supporting women experiencing IPV
Workshop Format
✓One hour online via Zoom at 12:00 PM
✓~40 minutes of presentation
✓20 minutes of moderated Q&A
✓Submit questions in advance
✓Presentation recording provided
✓Q&A not recorded (to protect participant privacy)
✓Monthly Legal Update included
2026–2027 Workshop Schedule
Child Protection and Working with MCFD
Understanding child protection investigations, safety plans, court orders, and your rights during the child protection process.
Maddison Tebbutt — JML
Protection Orders and Immediate Safety
Understanding Family Law Protection Orders, peace bonds, exclusive occupancy orders, and common questions about immediate safety.
Bahareh Danaei — North Shore Law
Children’s Views and Parenting Issues
What happens when children do not want to attend parenting time, managing exchanges safely, and understanding children’s views.
Michael Zimmerman — LK Law
Child and Spousal Support
Understanding support obligations, self-employment income, financial disclosure, and imputing income.
Kate Lawrence — JML
Family Property and Debt
Understanding family property, excluded property, family debt, and interim financial applications.
Kate Lawrence — JML
Pensions and Financial Security
An introduction to pensions after separation, protecting future financial interests, and available resources.
Kate Lawrence — JML & Guest TBC
Working with a Lawyer
What to expect from your lawyer, understanding legal bills, preparing for meetings, and advocating for yourself.
Kate Lawrence — JML
Preparing for Mediation
How to prepare effectively, safety considerations, shuttle mediation, and understanding the mediation process.
Kate Lawrence — Guest TBC
Trial Preparation and Evidence
Preparing documents, organizing evidence, understanding disclosure, and preparing for court.
Kate Lawrence — JML
Monthly Legal Update
- Summary of key legal information from each workshop
- Practical reminders and plain-language legal glossary
- Helpful resources and links
- Information about the next upcoming workshop
- Opportunity to submit questions for future sessions
Questions?
Questions may be submitted before each workshop through our online Question Submission Form.
Questions will be reviewed by BWSS staff and shared anonymously with presenters where appropriate.
To help protect participant privacy, only the presentation portion of each workshop will be recorded.
Registration
Online Legal Workshop Registration
Workshop Registration
