About CLS
Community Legal Services (CLS) is a legal clinic operated by the Faculty of Law at Western University.
We provide free legal assistance and representation to low-income and marginalized members of the London/Middlesex community, as well as to Western University and Fanshawe College students.
Opening in 1970 under the name "Student Legal Aid Services Society" (SLASS), the clinic was overseen by faculty members. Then, In 1977, the first full-time lawyer was hired and the clinic began operating under its current structure.
In the years following, CLS grew to have four lawyers — one Director and three Review Counsel — on staff.
By working at the clinic under the supervision of Review Counsel, our current law students are able to give back to the community while receiving valuable practical legal training.
We are funded by Legal Aid Ontario, the Law Foundation of Ontario, and student levies.
CLS articles
- Cannabis Record Suspension Project at Community Legal Services (July 2022)
- Glitchy screens, 'cat lawyers' and hot mics: The perils of Zoom courts (April 2021)
CLS in the media
- Western Law's Court Assistance Program (October 2025)
- 'Expanding access to justice:' New Western Law project supports people navigating family court (August 2025)
- Western Law's Community Legal Services clinic launches court assistance program (August 2025)
- Western Law Students Develop Legal Remedies and Resources Guide for Survivors of Sexual Violence (May 2022)
- Roommate or tenant? The question is at the heart of Ontario rental dispute that led to viral video (May 2022)
- Sudden sale could oust 5 international Western students renting this Old North house (December 2021)
- The Ontario government is destroying university legal clinics (August 2019)
- Another threat to student legal clinics – this time from Ontario (May 2019)
- CLS celebrates 50 years of service to the community (May 2019)
- Doug Ferguson lauded as Alumnus of Distinction (April 2019)
- Clinic at Western University will get funding from Legal Aid to take family law cases (September 2014)
- Legal Aid Ontario funds family law services at CLS (September 2014)
- Bringing justice to the community (February 2014)
- The case for change (February 2014)
