People's Law School is a non-profit society in British Columbia, dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. We provide free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.
Our vision
Our vision at People's Law School is a province where people have the knowledge, skills and confidence to resolve everyday legal matters.
Here are our values:
We are proud to help people access quality and trustworthy legal information
We are committed to diversity and inclusion
We are responsive, resilient and agile to changes in the law and in the way people learn
Learn more about our vision, values and strategy.
Our board
Led by chair Hassan El Masri, our board of directors keep us focused on the organization's vision and strategy, and provide oversight on our finances and governance. Meet our board.
Hassan El Masri
Hassan El Masri is a notary public practicing in Vancouver with W. Masri Notary Corporation, with a focus on real estate transactions, mortgages, and estate planning. He holds a Masters of Arts in Applied Legal Studies (MAALS) from Simon Fraser University. Hassan has been a board member of People’s Law School since 2013, and is currently board chair.
Our team
Led by executive director Patricia Byrne, our staff team is passionate about making the law accessible and understandable by the public. Meet our team.
Patricia Byrne
Patricia is a lawyer with 25+ years of experience in senior roles in public and professional legal education in Toronto and Vancouver. Prior to these roles, Patricia was a practicing business lawyer. As executive director of People’s Law School, Patricia's priority is to use her legal and business management skills to guide the society toward fulfilling its mission and long-term strategic goals.
Our funders
We are grateful for the generosity of our funders who support us and our key initiatives that advance access to justice for British Columbians. Thanks to our funders.
Our history
Founded in 1972 by a committed group of UBC law students, People's Law School was the first organization in Canada dedicated exclusively to educating the public about the law. Learn more about our history.
