General Legal Help Resources (23:I): Difference between revisions
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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= 1 September 2025}} | |||
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = referrals}} | {{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = referrals}} | ||
== | == Access Pro Bono's Lawyer Referral Service == | ||
Telephone: 604-687-3221 | |||
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service | |||
* Consultation with a lawyer for up to 30 minutes for free, during which time fees are negotiated for further consultation, but a few well-organized questions can be answered | |||
* Any ongoing legal assistance will require paying the lawyer’s regular fees | |||
== Access Pro Bono == | == Access Pro Bono == | ||
Telephone: 604-482-3195 | |||
*'''Summary Legal Advice Program:''' Volunteer lawyers provide up to a half-hour of free legal advice to clients at summary legal advice clinics | Toll-Free: 1-877-762-6664 | ||
*'''Roster Program:''' Pro bono representation for Court of Appeal, family law, Federal Court of Appeal, judicial review and wills and estates issues | |||
*''' | Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca | ||
* '''Summary Legal Advice Program:''' Volunteer lawyers provide up to a half-hour of free legal advice to clients at summary legal advice clinics | |||
* '''Roster Program:''' Pro bono representation for Court of Appeal, family law, Federal Court of Appeal, judicial review and wills and estates issues | |||
* '''Employment Standards Program:''' Volunteer lawyers and students provide free legal representation to employees at the Employment Standards Branch | |||
* '''Residential Tenancy Program:''' Legal representation for low-income tenants and landlords appearing before the Residential Tenancy Branch | |||
* '''Solicitors’ Program:''' Connects non-profit organisations with pro-bono legal services | |||
* '''Virtual Family Mediation Program:'''free online family mediation and advice services to low- and modest-income families across BC. The program aims to facilitate early resolution of family law matters, while saving users' money and freeing up BC's court resources. | |||
* '''Everyone Legal Clinic:''' offers low-cost legal services to all British Columbians on a fixed-fee basis— in person or by virtual connection. Articling clinicians work under the supervision of practising lawyers, and provide affordable help for family, tenancy/strata, employment, wills/estates, civil, corporate, consumer or criminal law issues. Call: (778) 200-4478 weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or [https://app.qase.net/create_elc_referral book online]. | |||
== Legal Services Society (Legal Aid BC) == | |||
Legal Aid Applications: Telephone: 604-408-2172 | |||
Toll-Free: 1-866-577-2525 | |||
General Inquiries: Telephone: 604-601-6000 | |||
Website: https://legalaid.bc.ca/ | |||
* A range of free legal services provided to all British Columbians, with priority given to people with low incomes | |||
* '''Information:''' Variety of publications available online to get general information about the law | |||
* '''Advice:''' Legal advice on criminal, family and immigration issues from duty counsel lawyers and family advice lawyers | |||
* '''Representation:''' A lawyer may be able to take your case and provide representation for criminal charges, mental health and prison issues, serious family problems, child protection matters and immigration problems | |||
== Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) == | |||
Telephone: 604-685-3425 | |||
Toll-Free: 1-888-685-6222 | |||
Website: https://clasbc.net/ | |||
* Legal assistance for issues including housing, income security, employment insurance, workers' compensation, mental health, human rights | |||
* CLAS generally provides assistance with judicial review of decisions from tribunals like the RTB, EAAT, SST, WCAT, EST, and the BC and Canadian Human Rights Tribunals. This makes CLAS a good referral for LSLAP clients after we receive tribunal decisions. | |||
* Review decisions from a review panel under the Mental Health Act or Criminal Code, challenge certificates of incapability from the Public Guardian and Trustee, or assist with individuals detained under the Adult Guardianship Act. | |||
* Can assist low-income homeowners facing foreclosure, members of housing co-ops whose membership has been terminated, and tenants with an order of possession requiring them to leave their home. | |||
== Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) == | |||
Telephone: 604-822-5791 | |||
Website: https://www.lslap.bc.ca | |||
* Free legal assistance through appointments for low-income individuals in the Greater Vancouver area, including representation, document drafting, summary advice, and referrals | |||
* Help with criminal law (summary offences), tenancy, employment, small claims, welfare, human rights, immigration, and more | |||
* No family law, personal injury, supreme court, business law, real property, or criminal law where there is a risk of jail time | |||
* Operates a Criminal Code s. 684 project which helps convicted individuals fill out s. 684 applications for a court to assign counsel to act for an accused in an appeal | |||
== Vancouver Justice Access Centre == | == Vancouver Justice Access Centre == | ||
Telephone: 604-660-2084 | |||
Toll-Free: 1-800-663-7867 (ask to be connected to 604-660-2084) | |||
Virtual Initial Needs Determination: 1-844-747-3963 | |||
Website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/divorce/family-justice/who-can-help/family-justice-services-division/justice-access-centres | |||
* Legal information, self-help and other resources; limited legal advice on family and civil law issues (low-income eligibility requirements apply). No legal advice for criminal matters, small claims court forms and filings, or personal injury matters. | |||
* Can give advice on family and civil justice issues such as separation or divorce, guardianship, child or spousal support, parenting after separation, protection orders, income security, employment, housing, debt, human rights, consumer issues, wills and estates, EI, worker’s compensation, and immigration/refugee issues. | |||
== BC | == Seniors First BC == | ||
Telephone: 604-437-1940 | |||
Toll-Free: 1-866-437-1940 | |||
Website: https://seniorsfirstbc.ca/ | |||
* Provides services to people age 55 and over | |||
* Helps victims of abuse or a crime to access the justice system | |||
* Provides practical and emotional support | |||
* Preparation and support for older adults who will be testifying in court about abuse or other crime | |||
* Can assist with tenancy/housing, debt, pensions, assisted living, discrimination, abuse/neglect, financial exploitation, consumer complaints, and guardianship/capacity. | |||
* Does not prepare wills or power of attorneys, or give advice on estate administration, real estate, criminal law or family law matters | |||
== Dial-A-Law == | == Dial-A-Law == | ||
Telephone: 604-687-4680 | |||
Toll-Free: 1-800-565-5297 | |||
Website: https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/ | |||
*General information on a variety of topics on law in British Columbia | *General information on a variety of topics on law in British Columbia | ||
*Library of legal information prepared by lawyers | *Library of legal information prepared by lawyers | ||
== Clicklaw == | == Clicklaw == | ||
Website: https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca | |||
* Legal information and education for British Columbians | |||
* Available in multiple languages | |||
== The Kettle Society == | |||
Telephone: 604-251-2801 | |||
Website: https://www.thekettle.ca/advocacy | |||
* Advocacy and support, with a focus on mental health | |||
* Family, tenancy, tax, welfare, ID replacement, and human rights | |||
== Amici Curiae == | |||
Telephone: 778-522-2839 | |||
Website: https://www.legalformsbc.ca | |||
[https://www.legalformsbc.ca/help-me-complete-my-legal-form.html Book online] | |||
* Free assistance in completing legal forms (no criminal law, elder law, or wills and estates) | |||
== The Law Centre (University of Victoria) == | |||
Telephone: 250-385-1221 | |||
Website: https://thelawcentre.ca/ | |||
* Law students at the University of Victoria provide legal assistance to low-income individuals with criminal, family, and civil law issues, including help with human rights, employment insurance, tenancy, welfare, and other administrative tribunals | |||
== PovNet == | |||
Website: https://www.povnet.org | |||
* Comprehensive source of legal referrals | |||
== First United Church Advocacy == | |||
Telephone: 604-681-8365 | |||
Website: https://firstunited.ca/how-we-help/legal-advocacy | |||
Drop-in Intakes: | |||
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM | |||
Tuesday, Thursday 1 PM to 3 PM | |||
* Broad range of legal advocacy for low-income and vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside Vancouver | |||
* Focus on tenancy and social assistance | |||
== Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS) == | |||
Telephone: 250-361-3521 | |||
Website: https://www.tapsbc.ca | |||
* Legal advocacy in Victoria | |||
* Income assistance, disability benefits, employment standards, tenancy, and income tax | |||
== Civil Resolution Tribunal == | |||
Telephone: 1-844-322-2292 | |||
Website: https://www.civilresolutionbc.ca | |||
* Tribunal which handles small claims matter under $5,000 | |||
* Solution explorer for alternative dispute options | |||
* Start your claim online | |||
* Also handles motor vehicle injury under $50,000, strata disputes, societies and cooperative associations disputes, and shared accommodations and some housing disputes | |||
{{LSLAP Manual Navbox|type=chapters15- | {{LSLAP Manual Navbox|type=chapters15-23}} | ||
Latest revision as of 17:04, 10 November 2025
| This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on 1 September 2025. |
Access Pro Bono's Lawyer Referral Service
Telephone: 604-687-3221
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service
- Consultation with a lawyer for up to 30 minutes for free, during which time fees are negotiated for further consultation, but a few well-organized questions can be answered
- Any ongoing legal assistance will require paying the lawyer’s regular fees
Access Pro Bono
Telephone: 604-482-3195
Toll-Free: 1-877-762-6664
Website: https://www.accessprobono.ca
- Summary Legal Advice Program: Volunteer lawyers provide up to a half-hour of free legal advice to clients at summary legal advice clinics
- Roster Program: Pro bono representation for Court of Appeal, family law, Federal Court of Appeal, judicial review and wills and estates issues
- Employment Standards Program: Volunteer lawyers and students provide free legal representation to employees at the Employment Standards Branch
- Residential Tenancy Program: Legal representation for low-income tenants and landlords appearing before the Residential Tenancy Branch
- Solicitors’ Program: Connects non-profit organisations with pro-bono legal services
- Virtual Family Mediation Program:free online family mediation and advice services to low- and modest-income families across BC. The program aims to facilitate early resolution of family law matters, while saving users' money and freeing up BC's court resources.
- Everyone Legal Clinic: offers low-cost legal services to all British Columbians on a fixed-fee basis— in person or by virtual connection. Articling clinicians work under the supervision of practising lawyers, and provide affordable help for family, tenancy/strata, employment, wills/estates, civil, corporate, consumer or criminal law issues. Call: (778) 200-4478 weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or book online.
Legal Services Society (Legal Aid BC)
Legal Aid Applications: Telephone: 604-408-2172
Toll-Free: 1-866-577-2525
General Inquiries: Telephone: 604-601-6000
Website: https://legalaid.bc.ca/
- A range of free legal services provided to all British Columbians, with priority given to people with low incomes
- Information: Variety of publications available online to get general information about the law
- Advice: Legal advice on criminal, family and immigration issues from duty counsel lawyers and family advice lawyers
- Representation: A lawyer may be able to take your case and provide representation for criminal charges, mental health and prison issues, serious family problems, child protection matters and immigration problems
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
Telephone: 604-685-3425
Toll-Free: 1-888-685-6222
Website: https://clasbc.net/
- Legal assistance for issues including housing, income security, employment insurance, workers' compensation, mental health, human rights
- CLAS generally provides assistance with judicial review of decisions from tribunals like the RTB, EAAT, SST, WCAT, EST, and the BC and Canadian Human Rights Tribunals. This makes CLAS a good referral for LSLAP clients after we receive tribunal decisions.
- Review decisions from a review panel under the Mental Health Act or Criminal Code, challenge certificates of incapability from the Public Guardian and Trustee, or assist with individuals detained under the Adult Guardianship Act.
- Can assist low-income homeowners facing foreclosure, members of housing co-ops whose membership has been terminated, and tenants with an order of possession requiring them to leave their home.
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
Telephone: 604-822-5791
Website: https://www.lslap.bc.ca
- Free legal assistance through appointments for low-income individuals in the Greater Vancouver area, including representation, document drafting, summary advice, and referrals
- Help with criminal law (summary offences), tenancy, employment, small claims, welfare, human rights, immigration, and more
- No family law, personal injury, supreme court, business law, real property, or criminal law where there is a risk of jail time
- Operates a Criminal Code s. 684 project which helps convicted individuals fill out s. 684 applications for a court to assign counsel to act for an accused in an appeal
Vancouver Justice Access Centre
Telephone: 604-660-2084
Toll-Free: 1-800-663-7867 (ask to be connected to 604-660-2084)
Virtual Initial Needs Determination: 1-844-747-3963
- Legal information, self-help and other resources; limited legal advice on family and civil law issues (low-income eligibility requirements apply). No legal advice for criminal matters, small claims court forms and filings, or personal injury matters.
- Can give advice on family and civil justice issues such as separation or divorce, guardianship, child or spousal support, parenting after separation, protection orders, income security, employment, housing, debt, human rights, consumer issues, wills and estates, EI, worker’s compensation, and immigration/refugee issues.
Seniors First BC
Telephone: 604-437-1940
Toll-Free: 1-866-437-1940
Website: https://seniorsfirstbc.ca/
- Provides services to people age 55 and over
- Helps victims of abuse or a crime to access the justice system
- Provides practical and emotional support
- Preparation and support for older adults who will be testifying in court about abuse or other crime
- Can assist with tenancy/housing, debt, pensions, assisted living, discrimination, abuse/neglect, financial exploitation, consumer complaints, and guardianship/capacity.
- Does not prepare wills or power of attorneys, or give advice on estate administration, real estate, criminal law or family law matters
Dial-A-Law
Telephone: 604-687-4680
Toll-Free: 1-800-565-5297
Website: https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/
- General information on a variety of topics on law in British Columbia
- Library of legal information prepared by lawyers
Clicklaw
Website: https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca
- Legal information and education for British Columbians
- Available in multiple languages
The Kettle Society
Telephone: 604-251-2801
Website: https://www.thekettle.ca/advocacy
- Advocacy and support, with a focus on mental health
- Family, tenancy, tax, welfare, ID replacement, and human rights
Amici Curiae
Telephone: 778-522-2839
Website: https://www.legalformsbc.ca
- Free assistance in completing legal forms (no criminal law, elder law, or wills and estates)
The Law Centre (University of Victoria)
Telephone: 250-385-1221
Website: https://thelawcentre.ca/
- Law students at the University of Victoria provide legal assistance to low-income individuals with criminal, family, and civil law issues, including help with human rights, employment insurance, tenancy, welfare, and other administrative tribunals
PovNet
Website: https://www.povnet.org
- Comprehensive source of legal referrals
First United Church Advocacy
Telephone: 604-681-8365
Website: https://firstunited.ca/how-we-help/legal-advocacy
Drop-in Intakes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Tuesday, Thursday 1 PM to 3 PM
- Broad range of legal advocacy for low-income and vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside Vancouver
- Focus on tenancy and social assistance
Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)
Telephone: 250-361-3521
Website: https://www.tapsbc.ca
- Legal advocacy in Victoria
- Income assistance, disability benefits, employment standards, tenancy, and income tax
Civil Resolution Tribunal
Telephone: 1-844-322-2292
Website: https://www.civilresolutionbc.ca
- Tribunal which handles small claims matter under $5,000
- Solution explorer for alternative dispute options
- Start your claim online
- Also handles motor vehicle injury under $50,000, strata disputes, societies and cooperative associations disputes, and shared accommodations and some housing disputes
| © Copyright 2025, The Greater Vancouver Law Students' Legal Advice Society. |
