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[[Image:Legalhelpguidecover.png|thumb|250px|right|alt=Legal Help for British Columbians|Cover of Legal Help for British Columbians]]
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|title = ''Legal Help for British Columbians''}}'''''Legal Help for British Columbians''''' is a resource for non-legal professionals in British Columbia who have clients with legal problems and little money to deal with them. For over 40 common legal problems, the Guide provides first steps to address the problem and options for further information or help.
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| text      = This is a [[Clicklaw wikibooks|Clicklaw wikibook]], an experiment in collaborative publishing. As a wikibook, the Guide is available as a free online resource (this wiki), which was also used to produce a printed book.
}}


{{fmbox
The Guide can also be used directly by those seeking assistance with their legal problem. {{Clicklaw Wikibooks Badge}}{{Export_Badge
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|SavedBookName = Legal_Help_for_British_Columbians
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| text  = Download the [http://blog.clicklaw.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Legal_Help_for_British_Columbians_3rd_Edition.pdf full Guide in PDF] (current to November 2011). 
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[[Image:Legalhelpguidemasthead.png|260px|right|link=Legal Help Guide Contributors|alt=Contributors to Legal Help for British Columbians]]
A guide for non-legal professionals in British Columbia to learn where to direct clients when legal problems occur. It can also be used directly by those seeking assistance with their legal problem. 
== Contents ==
== Contents ==


*[[Introduction]]  
*[[Introduction to Legal Help for British Columbians|Introduction]]  


=== Getting Started ===  
=== Getting Started ===  
* [[Know any good lawyers?]]
* [[Know Any Good Lawyers?]]


=== Common Legal Problems ===  
=== Common Legal Problems ===  
 
{| class="table-chapters-books"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
*'''[[Complaints about Police and Other Authorities]]'''  
*'''[[Complaints about Police and Other Authorities]]'''  
**[[I was harassed or assaulted by the police]]{{·}} [[A provincial government worker was abusive to me]]{{·}} [[A federal government worker was abusive to me]]{{·}} [[I was abused in a Residential School]]
**[[I Was Harassed or Assaulted by the Police]]{{·}} [[A Provincial Government Worker Was Abusive to Me]]{{·}} [[A Federal Government Worker Was Abusive to Me]]{{·}} [[I Was Abused in a Residential School]]
 
| class="nomobile" |  [[Neil Chantler]] and [[Cliff Thorstenson]]
*'''[[Consumer and Debt]]'''
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
**[[I don't have enough money to pay my debts]]{{·}} [[The bank is threatening foreclosure on my home]]{{·}} [[A debt collector is harassing me]]{{·}} [[I bought a product from a door-to-door salesperson and no longer want it]]{{·}} [[My car broke down and the dealer won’t fix it]]
|
 
*'''[[Consumer and Debt Problems|Consumer and Debt]]'''
*'''[[Criminal Law]]'''
**[[I Don't Have Enough Money to Pay My Debts]]{{·}} [[The Bank Is Threatening Foreclosure on My Home]]{{·}} [[A Debt Collector Is Harassing Me]]{{·}} [[I Bought a Product from a Door-to-Door Salesperson and No Longer Want It]]{{·}} [[My Car Broke Down and the Dealer Won't Fix It]]{{·}} [[I Want to Get out of My Cellphone Contract]]
**[[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and have to go to court|I've been charged with a criminal offence and have to go to court]]{{·}} [[I've been accused of a criminal offence and have been offered "diversion", "restorative justice" or "alternative measures"|I've been offered "diversion"]]{{·}} [[I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence and want to change my release conditions so I can have contact with my spouse or children|I want to change my release conditions]]{{·}} [[ I've been charged with a criminal (or youth) offence out-of-town and want to move the case closer to home|I want to move my criminal case closer to home]]{{·}} [[I have a criminal record and want to get a pardon]].
| class="nomobile" |  [[Drew Jackson]]
 
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
*'''[[Employment Law]]'''
|
**[[My employer isn't paying my wages]] {{·}} [[I have been dismissed (fired) without just cause]]{{·}} [[I've been turned down for Employment Insurance benefits]] {{·}} [[I've been cut off workers' compensation benefits]]  
*'''[[Criminal Law Problems|Criminal Law]]'''
 
**[[I've Been Charged with a Criminal (or Youth) Offence and Have to Go to Court|I've Been Charged with a Criminal Offence and Have to Go to Court]]{{·}} [[I've Been Accused of a Criminal Offence and Have Been Offered "Diversion", "Restorative Justice" or "Alternative Measures"|I've Been Offered "Diversion"]]{{·}} [[I've Been Charged with a Criminal (or Youth) Offence and Want to Change My Release Conditions so I Can Have Contact with My Spouse or Children|I Want to Change My Release Conditions]]{{·}} [[ I've Been Charged with a Criminal (or Youth) Offence out-of-Town and Want to Move the Case Closer to Home|I Want to Move My Criminal Case Closer to Home]]{{·}} [[I Want to Have My Criminal Record Removed]] {{·}} [[I Want My Criminal Case to Be Dealt with in First Nations Court]]
*'''[[Family Law]]'''
| class="nomobile" |  [[Lisa Jean Helps]] and [[Cliff Thorstenson]]
**[[I have a family problem and I want to resolve it out of court]]{{·}} [[I just separated from the other parent of my children]]{{·}} [[My partner is abusing me and my kids]]{{·}} [[My ex is not paying child support]]{{·}} [[I am having challenges with my children and don't want the Ministry to remove them]]{{·}} [[The Ministry has taken my kids]]  
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 
|
*'''[[Housing]]'''  
*'''[[Employment Law Problems|Employment Law]]'''
**[[My landlord wants to evict me]]
**[[My Employer Isn't Paying My Wages]] {{·}} [[I Have Been Dismissed (Fired) without Just Cause]]{{·}} [[I've Been Turned Down for Employment Insurance Benefits]] {{·}} [[I've Been Cut off Workers' Compensation Benefits]]
   
| class="nomobile" |  [[Trevor Thomas]]
*'''[[Human Rights]]'''  
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
**[[I am being discriminated against or sexually harassed]]
|
   
*'''[[Family Law Problems|Family Law]]'''
*'''[[Immigration]]'''  
**[[I Have a Family Problem and I Want to Resolve It out of Court]]{{·}} [[I Just Separated from the Other Parent of My Children]]{{·}} [[My Partner Is Abusing Me and My Kids]]{{·}} [[My Ex Is Not Paying Child Support]]{{·}} [[I Am Having Challenges with My Children and Don't Want the Ministry to Remove Them]]{{·}} [[The Ministry Has Taken My Kids]]
**[[I want to claim refugee status in Canada]] {{·}} [[I'm a permanent resident and have been charged with a criminal offence]] {{·}} [[My husband sponsored me and we have now separated]]  
| class="nomobile" |  [[Stephen Wright]]
 
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
*'''[[Mental Health]]'''  
|
**[[A relative has been held against their will in a mental health facility]]  
*'''[[Housing Problems|Housing]]'''  
 
**[[My Landlord Wants to Enter My Unit without My Permission]] {{·}} [[My Landlord Wants to Evict Me]] {{·}} [[My Landlord Wants to Keep My Deposit]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Andrew Sakamoto]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|  
*'''[[Human Rights Problems|Human Rights]]'''  
**[[I Am Being Discriminated against or Sexually Harassed]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Kaity Cooper]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|  
*'''[[Immigration Law Problems|Immigration]]'''  
**[[I Want to Claim Refugee Status in Canada]] {{·}} [[I'm a Permanent Resident and Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offence]] {{·}} [[My Husband Sponsored Me and We Have Now Separated]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Rochelle Appleby]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
*'''[[Mental Health Law Problems|Mental Health]]'''  
**[[A Relative Has Been Held against Their Will in a Mental Health Facility]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Lisa Ferguson]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
*'''[[Personal Planning Problems|Personal Planning]]'''
**[[I Want to Get My Affairs in Order in Case I Become Incapable]] {{·}} [[I Want to Help a Friend or Relative Manage Their Affairs]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Audrey Jun]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
*'''[[Suing and Being Sued]]'''
*'''[[Suing and Being Sued]]'''
**[[I am being sued—what should I expect?|I am being sued]]{{·}} [[I need to take someone to court—what's the process?|I need to take someone to court]]
**[[I Am Being Sued — What Should I Expect?|I Am Being Sued]]{{·}} [[I Need to Take Someone to Court — What's the Process?|I Need to Take Someone to Court]]
   
| class="nomobile" |  [[John Bilawich]]
*'''[[Welfare and Disability]]'''  
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
**[[I have no money for food or shelter]]{{·}} [[I have been denied or cut off welfare]] {{·}} [[I need to apply for disability benefits]] {{·}} [[I'm being investigated by the welfare Ministry]]  
|  
 
*'''[[Welfare and Disability Problems|Welfare and Disability]]'''  
*'''[[Wills and Estates]]'''  
**[[I Have No Money for Food or Shelter]]{{·}} [[I Have Been Denied or Cut off Welfare]] {{·}} [[I Need to Apply for Disability Benefits]] {{·}} [[I'm Being Investigated by the Welfare Ministry]]  
**[[I want to write a will]]{{·}} [[I am the executor or administrator of an estate]]{{·}} [[I want to help a friend or relative manage their affairs]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Alison Ward]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
*'''[[Wills and Estates Problems|Wills and Estates]]'''  
**[[I Want to Write a Will]]{{·}} [[I Am the Executor or Administrator of an Estate]]
| class="nomobile" |  [[Stan Rule]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|


=== Resource List ===  
=== Resource List ===  


* A [[Resource List|list of the best sources]] of legal information and help available for low-income British Columbians
* A [[Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians|list of the best sources]] of legal information and help available for low-income British Columbians


=== Preparing for Your Interview ===
=== Preparing for Your Interview ===
Line 73: Line 91:
* A [[Preparing for Your Interview|sample form]] to help you prepare for meetings with a lawyer or an advocate
* A [[Preparing for Your Interview|sample form]] to help you prepare for meetings with a lawyer or an advocate


== About this Guide==
== About this guide==


This Guide is the first "Clicklaw wikibook", which features a free, accessible online resource (this wiki version of the Guide) that is also used to produce a printed book. Learn more about [[Clicklaw wikibooks]].
Originally published in 2008 under the title "Legal Help for Rural British Columbians", ''Legal Help for British Columbians'' is now in its fifth printing. In March 2012 the guide went online to become the first Clicklaw Wikibook. [[Clicklaw Wikibooks]] are collaboratively developed, plain language legal publications that are published and kept up-to-date on a wiki, where they can also be printed and downloaded. Learn more about [[Clicklaw Wikibooks]].


Leading the writing of this Guide is founding author [[Cliff Thorstenson]], who worked a [[Legal Help Guide Contributors|team of lawyers and editors]] in updating the Guide on this wiki.
Leading the writing of this Guide is founding author [[Cliff Thorstenson]], who works with a [[Legal Help Guide Contributors|team of lawyers and editors]] in updating the guide on this wiki.


== Additional resources==
Find additional plain language, practical legal information on [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/ Clicklaw].


==Launch of the Guide as a Clicklaw Wikibook==
Find law-related help on the [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/ Clicklaw HelpMap].
 
This Guide was launched as an online resource in March 2012 as the first Clicklaw wikibook:   
 
* Clicklaw blog posting "[http://blog.clicklaw.bc.ca/2012/03/13/clicklaw-wikibook-legal-help-for-british-columbians-3rd-edition/ Clicklaw Wikibook – Legal Help for British Columbians, 3rd Edition]"
* [http://blog.clicklaw.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Legal-Help-for-British-Columbians-3rd-Edition-Announcement.pdf Legal Help Guide Announcement], a one sheeter describing the Guide
*  "[http://www.courthouselibrary.ca/Libraries/Library_Services/March_13_2012_-_News_Release_of_Launch.sflb.ashx BC lawyers help launch public legal help guide in Clicklaw wikibook format]", a Courthouse Libraries BC news release


==Creative Commons==
==Creative Commons==
{{Creative Commons for Legal Help Guide}}
{{Template:Legal Help Guide Navbox}}


[[Image:Creativecommons.png|left|alt=Creative Commons Licence]]Legal Help for British Columbians by Courthouse Libraries BC and Cliff Thorstenson is licensed under a [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca/ Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License].
This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this work non-commercially, as long as they credit Courthouse Libraries BC and Cliff Thorstenson and license their new creations under the identical terms.
== Additional Resources==
Find additional plain language, practical legal information on [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/ Clicklaw].
Find law-related help on the [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap/ Clicklaw HelpMap].
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[[Category:Navigation Page]]

Latest revision as of 04:44, 1 February 2021

Cover of Legal Help for British Columbians
Cover of Legal Help for British Columbians

Legal Help for British Columbians is a resource for non-legal professionals in British Columbia who have clients with legal problems and little money to deal with them. For over 40 common legal problems, the Guide provides first steps to address the problem and options for further information or help.

The Guide can also be used directly by those seeking assistance with their legal problem.

This is a Clicklaw Wikibook, a collaborative, plain language legal publication that is updated as a wiki and can be printed or downloaded.
Download the full Wikibook in PDF.
Download the full Wikibook in EPUB (learn more).
Buy this Wikibook and get it by mail.
Customize: take what you need, leave the rest (learn more).

Contents

Getting Started

Common Legal Problems

Neil Chantler and Cliff Thorstenson
Drew Jackson
Lisa Jean Helps and Cliff Thorstenson
Trevor Thomas
Stephen Wright
Andrew Sakamoto
Kaity Cooper
Rochelle Appleby
Lisa Ferguson
Audrey Jun
John Bilawich
Alison Ward
Stan Rule

Resource List

Preparing for Your Interview

  • A sample form to help you prepare for meetings with a lawyer or an advocate

About this guide

Originally published in 2008 under the title "Legal Help for Rural British Columbians", Legal Help for British Columbians is now in its fifth printing. In March 2012 the guide went online to become the first Clicklaw Wikibook. Clicklaw Wikibooks are collaboratively developed, plain language legal publications that are published and kept up-to-date on a wiki, where they can also be printed and downloaded. Learn more about Clicklaw Wikibooks.

Leading the writing of this Guide is founding author Cliff Thorstenson, who works with a team of lawyers and editors in updating the guide on this wiki.

Additional resources

Find additional plain language, practical legal information on Clicklaw.

Find law-related help on the Clicklaw HelpMap.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence Legal Help for British Columbians © Cliff Thorstenson and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.
v • d • e
 
Getting Started
 
Common Legal Problems
 
Resource List
Information or self-help
Legal advocacy, advice
or representation
Counselling or support
Government services
Laws, cases & rules
 
Preparing for Your Interview
Retrieved from "https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Legal_Help_for_British_Columbians&oldid=48670"