The Allard School of Law is pleased to announce a gift of $100,000 from the Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation to establish the L. J. Blackmore Investigation Fund, which will provide critical funding for the activities of the UBC Innocence Project.
The UBC Innocence Project offers accessible, independent assistance with the post-conviction review process to individuals who have been convicted of a serious crime but maintain their innocence. It is the only provider of this legal service in Western Canada. Students enrolled in the Project have the opportunity to develop skills and deepen their understanding of the criminal justice process through supervised casework, in addition to receiving academic instruction.
Thanks to the establishment of the L. J. Blackmore Investigation Fund, the UBC Innocence Project will be equipped to continue its valuable work. Investigation costs can include having forensic evidence reviewed, obtaining new expert reports, paying disbursements when supervising lawyers or students need to travel to conduct witness interviews, and bringing in the services of private investigators. With the help of this new fund to cover the costs of investigation, the UBC Innocence Project can continue to offer this unique learning experience to Allard Law students interested in criminal law, while providing pro bono legal services to individuals facing the difficult, complex process of conviction review.
The Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation was the first supporter of the UBC Innocence Project, allowing the Project to open its doors to applications in 2007. Since that time, the Project has continued to benefit from funding from this foundation in support of its activities.
"We are so grateful for the ongoing support of the Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation. It helped to found the Project and has provided ongoing support over the years when we needed it. This new gift will fund the critical investigation needs of our files… We would not be able to continue our work on behalf of the wrongly convicted without this gift,” remarks Tamara Levy, KC, Director of the UBC Innocence Project.
“I am so pleased that the Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation is helping to bolster the capacity of the UBC Innocence Project by establishing the L. J. Blackmore Investigation Fund,” notes Dean Ngai Pindell. “Community support like this ensures that the crucial investigation work needed to advance the review of wrongful conviction claims can actually be done. I am deeply thankful for our longstanding relationship with the Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation.”
The law school is grateful to the Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation for their support of and commitment to the UBC Innocence Project. Learn more about the UBC Innocence Project in two recent news stories: UBC Innocence Project receives new trial order following review of 1995 murder conviction and UBC Innocence Project: Righting wrongs and training the next generation of lawyers.
