Eligibility & Rules

STUDENT CRITERIA:

“Eligible Participants” are University of Florida students who are registered for at least six credits and are paying Activity and Service Fees as reported by the Office of the Registrar. Students enrolled in the remaining course(s) to complete a degree requirement are also considered “Eligible Participants.”

Students who are not currently enrolled in classes are eligible for one semester immediately following the semester in which the student was last enrolled for at least six credits and paid Activity and Service Fees.

PLEASE NOTE: Students participating in UF Online and/or Pathway to Campus Enrollment (PaCE) may be eligible for our services as well. Please review your enrollment package for more information, or click here to learn more about UF’s Optional Fee Package.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION CRITERIA:

Student organizations registered with Student Activities and Involvement that maintain active status with SAI are considered “Eligible Plan Participants.” Student organization presidents or other qualified officers (VP, Secretary, Treasurer) must complete the Client Intake Form, but may designate another organization member as liaison to deal directly with our office who shall have the authority to act on behalf of the organization in all dealings with Student Legal Services.

PLEASE NOTE: Student organizations may not use Student Legal Services for issues involving the State of Florida, University of Florida, Board of Trustees, Board of Governors, and/or other Eligible Plan Participants, as well as any entities related to the operation of that group, such as its national organization, house corporations or realty boards, or governing bodies.

General Rules:

Cases may be rejected or closed by any Student Legal Services attorney when the attorney feels such rejection is required by the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar or by our office rules as noted here. For example, such rejection or closure may be based upon the attorney’s determination that the case involves a conflict of interest or is without merit, frivolous, or for the sake of harassment; the client is failing to cooperate, communicate, or respond; the client is not fully disclosing the relevant facts; or the matter is outside the scope of our office plan.

Clients are responsible for all court costs, expenses, bail bonds, fines, penalties, or judgments in their case. Legal advice and representation is provided at no charge for attorney’s fees to eligible students or student organizations.

Effective legal advice and representation can only be given with the client’s full and truthful cooperation. All information disclosed will be held in strict confidence. Clients must inform their attorney of all relevant facts and keep their attorney updated as to any material change in their case.

Clients must notify our office immediately of any change of address, email, or phone number. If a client fails to respond within a reasonable time to any written communication from our office, the attorney may close the file and withdraw from representation without further notice.

The attorney will provide the best legal opinion based on the attorney’s experience and training. Please realize that every legal matter involves different variables and complexities. Additionally, each client’s situation is unique and the advice given will attempt to address their specific needs. Student Legal Services cannot guarantee a favorable result in any legal matter.

Student Legal Services and its attorneys cannot provide any guarantee about the outcome of any matter and any resulting or potential litigation. Additionally, the legal process does not always move quickly and certain matters may take a long time to resolve.

PLEASE NOTE: There are additional limitations upon the services provided. They are explained in the official program, which is available upon request – please call our office at 352-392-5297 or email sls@ufsa.ufl.edu.