Principal Functions

In furtherance of its mission, the principal functions performed by Student Legal Services are:

1. Counseling the student regarding a legal problem and describing the options available to the student, including answering questions or explaining the individual’s legal rights and responsibilities. This counseling is privileged and confidential.

2. Negotiating on behalf of the student with other parties to a legal problem, e.g., landlords, creditors, insurance companies, public and private dispensers of consumer services, and various University departments.

3. Drafting letters and legal documents for the student or assisting the student in the drafting of these documents.

4. Advising the student to seek the assistance of an attorney who can represent him/her in cases where courtroom appearances are likely and providing appropriate referrals.

5. Preparing and presenting programs and materials on legal issues of interest to students, e.g., speaking at orientations and campus housing facilities, conducting workshops for student groups, disseminating brochures on common legal problems, and developing and maintaining an informational Web site.

6. Training and supervising staff who volunteer to present students’ cases at Student Conduct Committee hearings.

7. Training law students from the UCLA School of Law to interview and counsel student clients, as well as to perform research, drafting, and other legal services for the student clients, and supervising the law students’ performance.

Limitations on Services Provided

Student Legal Services (SLS) offers its services only to students who are currently registered and enrolled at UCLA or, during the recess period between quarters or the summer period, have completed the immediately preceding term and are eligible for reenrollment.

SLS provides advice, but does not provide representation for students in court or at any other type of hearing. Furthermore, it is the policy of SLS not to handle complex litigation. SLS also provides no assistance regarding appeals.

SLS provides no assistance for contested or out-of-state family law matters; it provides assistance only for uncontested California family law matters, including simple dissolutions.

SLS can draft only simple wills for California residents. It provides no assistance regarding estate planning or probate matters, including inter vivos trusts and other estate planning documents.

SLS offers only limited assistance regarding real property matters. SLS offers no assistance or advice regarding tax, workers' compensation, medical or legal malpractice, or immigration matters. Information regarding immigration matters may be obtained in the Dashew Office of International Students and Scholars, 106 Bradley International Center (825-1681).

The services offered by SLS are available only to individual students. SLS does not assist partnerships, corporations, associations, or organizations. SLS also does not assist students with their business affairs.

It is within the discretion of the attorneys to determine whether the services provided by the office shall be limited, especially in cases where the attorneys lack expertise in the area and/or the time and resources required to handle the matter would unreasonably reduce the services available to other students.

Conflict Policy

When a dispute arises between two or more UCLA students, Student Legal Services (SLS) can provide only information to the concerned parties. The students involved in the dispute who seek the services of SLS are first fully informed of the SLS Conflict Policy. At the time the students seek our services, we offer to meet with each side in the dispute one time to provide information regarding legal rights. We do not advocate for either side.

After the informational meeting, in appropriate cases, SLS may be able to mediate the dispute upon the request of all parties involved. SLS also will provide referrals to alternative dispute resolution services, such as the Campus Ombuds Office and the Campus Mediation Service.

It is within the discretion of the attorneys to determine whether the services provided by the office shall be limited, especially in cases where the attorneys lack expertise in the area and/or the time and resources required to handle the matter would unreasonably reduce the services available to other students.

User Fee Policy

Student Legal Services charges $30 for the initial intake visit, and there is no charge for follow-up visits regarding the same matter.

There is an additional charge for specialized services involving the preparation of certain legal documents.  The current fees for these specialized services are listed below

Student Legal Services also charges a $30 “no show/late cancellation fee” if the student-client misses an appointment, is more than ten minutes late, or cancels less than twenty-four hours in advance of the appointment.

All Student Legal Services fees are charged to the student-client’s SBAR account.