Q: What is CJAM?
A: CJAM is a non-profit organization with the goal of providing free legal information to Montreal’s artistic community. The CJAM coordinating committee is working towards opening a physical office for the clinic’s operations, to be supported by volunteer law students from each of Montreal's law faculties, a group of volunteer lawyers and a support staff. In addition to the clinic, CJAM will also provide legal information for artists through educational materials available on its website and by staging workshops around the city. CJAM’s co-directors are Keith Serry and Olivier Plessis. The CJAM board is also composed of Clare Paterson, Owen Ripley and David Schaeffer.
Q: What type of service will CJAM provide for Montreal's artists?
A: The goal is to provide legal information to musicians, writers, visual artists, directors, dancers and others unable to afford legal services or without access to legal resources through a union. The information provided will include basic primers on contracts, copyright, tax and other legal issues affecting artists. As well, CJAM will host monthly walk-in sessions, during which artists and other persons with arts-related legal issues will be able to meet with one of our volunteers and discuss their issue(s); our volunteers will conduct research and follow-up with the artist or person in question to provide him or her with the relevant legal information. Once again, CJAM's primary role is to provide legal information only – and not legal advice.
Q: What’s the difference between “legal information” and “legal advice”?
A: This is an important question. A general rule of thumb is that legal information is a general précis of the law related to a given subject which does not actually apply that law to a given client’s circumstances; legal advice, on the other hand, takes the law and applies it to a specific question or situation in greater detail. Legal advice also often includes suggestions with regards to the course of action a client should take. This distinction might seem minor, but it is important to note that while legal information can be given by anyone, only lawyers are allowed to provide legal advice.
Q: My legal issue is not dealt with by the legal information documents on your website, how else can you help me?
A: Beginning in January 2010, CJAM will be hosting monthly consultation sessions. You will be able to sit down with one of our volunteers and relate the facts surrounding your legal issue. Our volunteers will then conduct research and get back to you with the relevant legal information in a timely manner. Details such as the time and location of the upcoming consultation session will be available on CJAM’s website.
Q: Do I need to be a lawyer to volunteer?
A: No, no and again no. There will be more than enough work for people with no legal knowledge or interest. The clinic needs graphic artists, web administrators, translators, accountants, and most importantly, artists and other volunteers who have experiences to share and a desire to make a contribution to our city and its artistic community. That having been said, lawyers, law students and persons with other “business side” knowledge will indeed be very valuable to the clinic.
Q: How else can I help CJAM?
A: In addition to volunteering at the clinic, CJAM is always grateful for donations and sponsorship, which are essential to CJAM being able to provide a high level of service and expanding its capability. You can contact Patrick Murdoch – CJAM’s Sponsorship coordinator – for more information. Also, please refer to the Donations and Sponsorship sections on our website.
Q: My organization hosts a festival and we are interested in collaborating with CJAM in setting up a workshop – what should we do?
A: You should get in touch with Jennifer Besner – CJAM’s workshop coordinator. Please include your organization’s name, the festival in question, the type of workshop you have in mind, and your contact information. You can reach Jennifer by e-mail.
Q: I was particularly interested by one of CJAM’s workshops. Where can I get more information and/or learn more about the speakers?
A: Please contact Jennifer Besner, CJAM’s workshop coordinator.
Q: My legal issue or problem is not arts-related whatsoever – where can I get assistance with it?
A: Please refer to our list of references, including other Montreal-based legal clinics such as the McGill Legal Information Clinic (MLIC).
