Resource List for Legal Help for British Columbians
Here is an alphabetical list of 60 of the best sources of legal information, assistance, advice and representation for low-income clients in British Columbia.
| Contact information for government services is available through: |
| Provincial: | Enquiry BC (Service BC): 1-800-663-7867 |
| National: | Service Canada: 1-800-622-6232 |
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| 1 | Lawyer Referral Service |
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| 2 | Advocacy Access
1-800-663-1278 TTY 1-604-875-8835 |
Advocacy Access is a service of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities that provides information, assistance, advice and occasional representation for people with disability-related issues such as welfare benefits for people with disabilities, Schedule C health benefits and Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.
Website: Click on “Publications” and then “Advocacy Access” for access to a number of fact sheets about disability-related legal issues. | |||||||||||
| 3 | Bankruptcy Canada
No phone services available. |
This website has a number of links that provide information on the bankruptcy process, as well as contact information for bankruptcy trustees in communities throughout B.C.
Website: Click on “Bankruptcy FAQ” for general information about bankruptcy, or the map of Canada to find a bankruptcy trustee in your area. | |||||||||||
| 4 | B.C. Civil Liberties Association
1-604-687-2919 |
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association (“BCCLA”) provides information, assistance and advice about making complaints against the police. It also provides representation on selected civil liberties cases that have a reasonable likelihood of success, and may result in important changes to law or policy.
Website: Click on the appropriate link under the heading “Issues”. | |||||||||||
| 5 | B.C. Courthouse Library Society
1-800-665-2570 |
Operates courthouse libraries around the province with written and electronic information on all areas of the law. Their website has very good links to federal and provincial statutes and regulations, court judgments, and court rules and forms for Provincial Court (Small Claims, Family and Criminal) and B.C. Supreme Court.
Phone: check the Yellow Pages of your phone book for contact information for courthouse libraries. | |||||||||||
| 6 | BC Human Rights Coalition
1-877-689-8474 |
The B.C. Human Rights Coalition (“BCHRC”) provides initial information and advice about human rights issues and assistance with preparing a human rights complaint. BCHRC will provide representation before the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal on complaints that raise novel or systemic issues. There is no cost for the services.
Website: Click on “Law” or “Process”. | |||||||||||
| 7 | BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses
1-800-661-1040 |
The Society provides contact information about transition houses and other victim services throughout BC and the Yukon, and resources for transition house staff.
Website: Click on “Resources and Publications” for their “Family Law Resource Manual”. It contains a lot of information about the legal system from the perspective of victims of family violence. | |||||||||||
| 8 | Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority
1-888-564-9963 |
The authority is the “watchdog” for consumer complaints including unfair debt collection practices. Website: Click on “Complaints” and then “BPCPA Complaint Form” to make a general complaint about a seller or debt collector. | |||||||||||
| 9 | CANLII
No phone services available |
Canadian Legal Information Institute. This website has comprehensive links to legislation, regulations and court cases from across Canada. | |||||||||||
| 10 | Credit Counselling Society of B.C
1-888-527-8999 |
This not-for-profit society provides information, assistance and financial advice to clients with problems with debt or insolvency.
Website: Under the “Learning Centre” drop-down box, click on “FAQ”. | |||||||||||
| 11 | Community Legal Assistance Society
1-888-685-6222 |
The Community Legal Assistance Society (“CLAS”) provides primarily “test-case” advice and representation for people with disability, employment insurance, poverty and Workers Compensation problems. Services are limited to cases that could advance the law or policy in these areas. CLAS also provides advice and representation at the BC Review Panel to persons detained under the B.C. Mental Health Act.
Website: Click on “Publications” for a variety of online materials dealing with the above and other issues, including “Judicial Review: A Lay Person’s Guide”. | |||||||||||
| 12 | Dial-a-Law
1-800-565-5297 |
A Canadian Bar Association service. This telephone service provides recorded information about various legal problems. The scripts are also available online.
Phone: recorded information on a variety of legal topics. Website: covers a variety of legal topics. | |||||||||||
| 13 | Duty Counsel | See page 46 for a detailed explanation about Duty Counsel lawyers. | |||||||||||
| 14 | Electronic Law Library
No phone service available |
This website has links to legal resources with information on a variety of legal topics.
Website: Click on “Law by Subject” and then the appropriate topic. | |||||||||||
| 15 | Employment Standards Branch
1-800-663-3316 |
B.C. Government. The Branch administers the provincial Employment Standards Act and regulations. Information about employment standards is available over the phone and on the website.
Website: Click on “Program/Branch Publications” and then “A Guide to the Employment Standards Act” or “Employment Standards Fact Sheets”. | |||||||||||
| 16 | Family Justice Centres
1-800-663-7867 |
BC Government. Family Justice Centres have Counsellors who can provide information and assistance with family-related legal issues such as custody, access, guardianship, child and spousal support and no-contact orders. They cannot assist with strictly Supreme Court issues such as divorce or property division. Centres in Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Vancouver provide legal advice through a Family Advice Lawyer Project.
Phone: Call Enquiry B.C. at 1-800-663-7867 and asked to be connected with the Family Justice Centre nearest you. | |||||||||||
| 17 | Family Law in B.C. website
No phone service available |
Legal Services Society. This website contains information and self-help guides for people facing family-related legal problems.
Website: Click on a topic under “Your legal issue” or click on the shortcut to “self-help guides” for information on filling out Family forms and preparing for Family Court. | |||||||||||
| 18 | Family Maintenance Enforcement Program
1-800-668-3637 |
FMEP helps clients enforce court orders for child support and spousal support.
Phone: 1-800-668-3637 for information or 1-800-663-3455 to enrol in the program. Website: Click on “How to Enrol” or “Resources”. | |||||||||||
| 19 | Federal Court of Canada
1-800-622-6232 |
The Court provides Rules and Forms and information about Federal Court procedures.
Phone: Call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232 (TTY 1-800-926-9105) and ask to be connected to the Federal Court Registry in Vancouver. Website: Click on “Court Process and Procedures”. | |||||||||||
| 20 | Government Agent Offices
servicebc.gov.bc.ca/services/contact 1-800-663-7867 |
Government Agent (Service BC) Offices are the business offices of the provincial government in about 60 communities in rural British Columbia. They have written and online pamphlets and government forms as well as public access computer terminals. Although Government Agency staff cannot give legal advice, they can be helpful with issues involving the provincial government, and making referrals to other services.
Phone: Call Enquiry B.C. at 1-800-663-7867 and ask for the Government Agent Office nearest you, or look in the Blue Pages of your phone book under “Service BC- Government Agent”. | |||||||||||
| 21 |
Human Resources and Social Development Canada Employment Insurance www.ei-ae.gc.ca 1-800-206-7218 Employment Standards hrsdc.gc.ca 1-800-622-6232 |
Government of Canada. This office is responsible for employment insurance and federal employment standards.
Employment Insurance Phone: 1-800-206-7218 or TTY 1-800-529-3742. Website: To appeal a decision turning you down for EI benefits, click on the links under the heading, “Appeals to the Board of Referees”. Employment Standards Phone: Call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232 and ask to be connected to the HRSDC office nearest you. Website: The easiest way to get a Payment Claim Kit is to go directly to: www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/lo/opd-ipg/opd/700-10a1.shtml#appa_1. For information on unjust dismissal, try www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/labour/. Click on “Employment Standards”, then (in the paragraph text on the right, not in the sidebar menu) click on “Employment Standards Publications”, then click on “Unjust Dismissal”. | |||||||||||
| 22 | Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada
1-866-879-4913 |
Government of Canada: This office provides information and assistance to former Indian residential school students seeking compensation.
Website: Under the heading, “Highlights” click on “Common Experience Payment- Information for Service Canada” for information and application forms dealing with the common experience payment available to most former residential school payments. Click on “Independent Assessment Process” for information about additional compensation for seriously abused students or “Independent Assessment Process Application Form” for an online application for this additional compensation. | |||||||||||
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23 |
LawLINE
1-866-577-2525 |
LawLINE is a toll-free telephone service run by the Legal Services Society, staffed by lawyers and paralegals. It provides advice and information on certain legal issues for financially eligible callers. LawLINE arranges immediate access to telephone interpreters for clients who have difficulties with the English language. LawLINE will also make referrals to lawyers registered with the Pro Bono Law of BC roster [see below under Pro Bono Law]. Website: Under “Legal aid” click “LawLINE.” | |||||||||||
| 24 | Law Students’ Legal Advice Program
No phone service available |
The website contains the “LSLAP Manual”, an excellent source of information about the law and legal procedure on a variety of legal topics.
Website: Click on “LSLAP Manual”, then “View Current Manual” and then the appropriate Chapter. | |||||||||||
| 25 | Lawyer Referral Service
1-800-663-1919 |
The Canadian Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals to volunteer lawyers in private practice who specialize in various areas of the law. For a fee of $25 plus tax, a client is entitled to up to 30 minutes of consultation with a lawyer where the lawyer may provide information, assistance or summary advice about the client’s legal issue.
Website: Click on “Initiatives” and then “Lawyer Referral”. | |||||||||||
| 26 | Legal Aid | The Legal Services Society provides a variety of legal aid services including legal aid representation (getting a lawyer to take your case for free). See page XX for a detailed description of legal aid representation. See also Legal Services Society (#27). | |||||||||||
| 27 | Legal Services Society
1-866-577-2525 |
The Legal Service Society (LSS) is the primary organization for free legal information, advice, and representation for low-income people in BC. In addition to providing lawyers for eligible clients (see page XX), it provides advice services such as duty counsel (see page XX) and LawLINE (#23).
LSS legal information services include legal information outreach workers (LIOWs). LIOWs are staff members at LSS regional centres who provide information in person and over the phone, can help you find self-help resources on the Internet, and refer you to other LSS services. LSS also provides the Family Law in BC website and publishes a variety of legal materials, including:
LSS also publishes fact sheets and pamphlets on a wide variety of legal issues. Phone: 1-604-601-6075 for information on ordering LSS publications. Phone the LSS regional centre closest to you to speak to an LIOW or call the LSS Call Centre at 1-866-577-2525. Website: Under ”Community Workers,” click on “Publications” and choose a publication by title, subject, or language. | |||||||||||
| 28 | National Parole Board
1-800-874-2652 |
The Government of Canada’s National Parole Board is responsible for (among other things) granting pardons for criminal convictions.
Website: Click on “Pardons” and then “Pardon Application Guide”. | |||||||||||
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29 |
Native Courtworkers 1-604-985-5355 |
The Native Courtworker and Counselling Association (“NCCA”) provides information and assistance to aboriginal people facing criminal or youth justice matters with the police and courts. Native courtworkers assist clients in preparing for court and will provide representation by speaking on behalf of clients on guilty pleas, and occasionally at trial. Website: Click on the appropriate link for general information about aspects of the court system. | |||||||||||
| 30 | Ombudsman
1-800-567-3247 |
The BC Government’s Office of the Ombudsman provides information and assistance in making complaints against provincially regulated government agencies or employees.
Website: Click on “Frequently Asked Questions” for general information, “Complaint Forms” for the online complaint form, or “Useful Contacts” for information about making complaints about lawyers, banks, doctors and other professionals. | |||||||||||
| 31 |
People’s Law School 1-604-331-5400 |
The People’s Law School provides free legal education and information including publications on the legal system and a variety of legal issues, including:
Phone to order publications or find out about courses. | |||||||||||
| 32 | Police Complaints Commissioner (BC)
1-800-663-7867 |
This office is responsible for handling complaints against officers of municipal or tribal police forces. Staff provide information about the complaints process and some assistance with making a complaint.
Phone: Call Enquiry B.C. at 1-800-663-7867 and ask to be connected to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner. Website: Click on “FAQs” or “Making a Complaint”. | |||||||||||
| 33 | PovNet
1-604-876-8638 |
PovNet is a network of anti-poverty advocacy organizations that maintains information on legal issues and resources of interest to people living in poverty.
Website: Click on “Find an Advocate” to find an advocacy organization near you, or “Online Resources” for information on resources—legal and non-legal—for people living in poverty. | |||||||||||
| 34 | Private Bar Lawyers | See page 48 for a detailed description about hiring private bar lawyers. | |||||||||||
| 35 | Pro Bono Law of BC
no phone services provided |
Pro Bono Law of BC maintains a roster of lawyers who will take on a limited number of cases pro bono (free of charge) within their geographic area and within their area of practice. The level of services may extend to representation in courts or tribunals.
Note: Lawyers on the roster receive referrals from Access Justice, the LawLINE, the Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program and some of the other agencies listed in this guide. Look under the appropriate heading for their contact information. | |||||||||||
| 36 | Public Guardian and Trustee
1-800-663-786 |
The BC Government Public Guardian and Trustee provides services concerning the estates of children, estates without trustees or administrators, and adults who require assistance with decision-making, including those who are not mentally competent. The Public Guardian and Trustee provides information on aspects of adult guardianship such as representation agreements.
Phone: 1-800-663-7867 (Enquiry BC) and ask to be connected with the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee. Website: Click on “Reports and Publications”, scroll down to “Publications” under the heading, “Adult Guardianship”. | |||||||||||
| 37 | Public Libraries | Public libraries are located in over 70 communities throughout British Columbia. Most have public access computer terminals. Larger ones have legal reference books and provincial statutes and regulations. Library staff cannot give legal advice, but they can help you find legal information in their library, on-line or throughout the public library system.
Phone: Look in the Yellow Pages of your phone book under “Libraries”. Website: Provides contact information for public libraries. | |||||||||||
| 38 | Residential Tenancy Branch
1-800-665-8779 |
BC Government. The Branch administers the provincial Residential Tenancy Act. Staff provide information and some assistance to clients with problems with their residential landlords. The website has forms and good information about residential tenancy law and procedure.
Website: Click on the appropriate link under the headings, “Know Your Rights & Responsibilities”, “Resolving Issues”, “How to Apply for Dispute Resolution”, or “Completing the Dispute Resolution Process”. | |||||||||||
| 39 | RCMP Public Complaints Commission
1-800-665-6878 |
This office is responsible for handling complaints against members of the RCMP. Staff provide information about the complaints process and some assistance with making a complaint.
Phone: 1-800-665-6878 or TTY 1-866-432-5837. Website: Click on “Make a Complaint”. | |||||||||||
| 40 | Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program
1-604-694-6647 |
The Salvation Army operates free legal advice clinics for financially eligible clients in several communities in British Columbia. Lawyers from the community volunteer their services and provide legal information, assistance and advice during clinic hours only. They do not provide representation but can make referrals to lawyers registered with the Pro Bono Law of BC roster [see above under Pro Bono Law].
Phone for information about the pro bono clinic nearest you. | |||||||||||
| 41 | Service Canada
1-800-622-6232 |
Service Canada is the main point of contact for federal government services. Staff can give contact information to make a complaint about a worker in a federal government ministry or agency.
Phone: Call 1-800-622-6232 and ask to be connected with the appropriate federal government ministry or agency. Website: Click on the appropriate link. | |||||||||||
| 42 | Small Claims Court
ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/civil/smallclaims/ 1-800-663-7867 |
BC Government. The Court has registries in various communities in BC. These registries (and the website) have Small Claims forms and guides to help people prepare for Small Claims Court.
Phone: 1-800-663-7867 (Enquiry BC) and ask for the Small Claims Court Registry nearest you, or look in the Blue Pages of your phone book under “Court Services”. Website: for guides to filling out Small Claims forms and preparing for Small Claims Court. | |||||||||||
| 43 | Supreme Court Self-help Centre
no phone service available |
The Centre provides information to people representing themselves in B.C. Supreme Court.
Website: Click on “Online self-help resources” for information on filling out B.C. Supreme Court forms and preparing for Supreme Court. The site has many useful links such as “Preparing for Trial in Supreme Court”. | |||||||||||
| 44 | Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre
1-800-665-1185 |
The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (“TRAC”) is a not-for-profit society that provides information, advice and occasional representation for tenants with residential tenancy problems.
Website: Click on “Tenants Survival Guide and Fact sheets page”. | |||||||||||
| 45 | Workers’ Advisers
Click on “Forms”, “Fact Sheets” or “Publications”. Enquiry BC to connect to the WA office nearest you: 1-800-663-7867 |
BC Government. Workers Advisers are a service of Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services. They provide information, assistance, advice and occasional representation to clients on Workers’ Compensation issues. Advisers will review client files, and advise and assist them in preparing a Request for Review by the Review Division or an Appeal by the Appeal Division. Workers’ Advisers may represent workers at the review or appeal on some cases. If the issue presents complex legal questions, Workers Advisers may make referrals to lawyers specializing in Workers’ Compensation issues.
There are no financial eligibility requirements but services are limited. Workers Advisers may turn down clients who have access to other resources. | |||||||||||
Resource #13: Duty Counsel[edit]
Duty Counsel services include a variety of free advice services (and some limited representation) provided by the Legal Services Society (LSS) for otherwise unrepresented clients facing immediate legal challenges. Duty Counsel services include:
- Brydges Line
- If you have been arrested or detained and are under active investigation for a criminal offence for which you have not yet been charged, you can access emergency legal telephone advice from a lawyer by phoning the Legal Services Society “Brydges Line” at 1-866-458-3300, regardless of your financial status. You can also call if you have been detained by Canada Immigration at a border crossing. Brydges Line lawyers provide one-time advice at the time of your emergency. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will have to make other arrangements for ongoing legal services.
- Criminal Duty Counsel (Provincial Court)
- Duty Counsel lawyers attend almost all criminal remand proceedings in provincial courtrooms throughout the province. They provide unrepresented clients (in or out of custody) with assistance and advice about the charges against them, court procedures, and legal rights regardless of the client’s financial status. They also provide representation at bail hearings and, as time permits, representation on guilty pleas. Criminal Duty Counsel services are available only on the day that you must appear in court. You will have to make other arrangements for ongoing legal services. Show up early at court so you will have a chance to discuss your case with Duty Counsel before court. Bring any paperwork relating to your case.
- Family Duty Counsel (Provincial Court)
- Duty counsel lawyers attend many Family Court proceedings at most provincial courtrooms throughout the province. If you do not qualify for a legal aid lawyer, you may qualify for help from family duty counsel. They provide unrepresented clients with assistance and advice about family law or child protection issues. They can also provide courtroom representation on simple matters. Family duty counsel services in Provincial (Family) Court are available on most first appearance dates, on a drop-in basis. (Duty counsel may be able to help even if you are not financially eligible but priority is always given to qualified clients who must appear in court that day.) Bring any paperwork relating to your case. Note that you will have to make other arrangements for ongoing legal services.
- Family Duty Counsel (Supreme Court)
- Duty counsel lawyers are available at the busiest Supreme Courts across BC. If you do not qualify for a legal aid lawyer, you may qualify for help from family duty counsel. They provide legal advice about custody, access, guardianship, child support, court procedures, tentative settlement agreements, and limited advice on property division. Duty counsel can also provide representation on simple or unopposed family-related legal proceedings in Supreme Court. Family duty counsel services in Supreme Court are available on most first appearance dates, on a drop-in basis. (Duty counsel may be able to help even if you are not financially eligible but priority is always given to qualified clients who must appear in court that day.) Bring any paperwork relating to your case. You should try to speak with Supreme Court duty counsel before going to court. Note that you will have to make other arrangements for ongoing legal services.
- Family Advice Lawyers
- Family advice lawyers are duty counsel who are available at times unrelated to when court is in session in Kelowna, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, and Vancouver. You must be referred by a family justice counsellor or a child support officer (except in Port Alberni which offers drop-in service for financially eligible clients at the courthouse).
- Phone and Website
- You can call ahead to find out on what days of the week or month family duty counsel is present at the courthouse. It may also be possible to meet with duty counsel before your court date. To contact your local court registry for the family duty counsel schedule, see the list of phone numbers on the LSS website (www.lss.bc.ca) under “Legal Aid-Legal Advice.” You can also call your local legal aid office or LSS Regional Centre to find out family duty counsel schedules.
- For criminal duty counsel, check the White Pages of your phone book under “Legal Aid” or call Enquiry B.C. at 1-800-663-7867 for the number of your nearest legal aid office or LSS Regional Centre.
- For more information about family advice lawyers in Kelowna, Nanaimo, or Vancouver, contact Enquiry BC at 1-800-663-7867 and ask to be connected to a family justice counsellors office. In Port Alberni, contact the local court registry for more information.
Resource #26: Legal Aid Representation[edit]
The Legal Services Society (LSS) provides free legal aid representation (a lawyer to take your case) for financially eligible clients facing some types of criminal, family, mental health, or immigration problems. The following legal issues are covered:
Criminal charges (of all but the least serious offences) where a client, if convicted, is likely to:
- go to jail;
- face a conditional sentence that would severely limit their liberty,
- lose their way of earning a living, or
- face an immigration proceeding that could lead to deportation from Canada.
Also covered are:
- aboriginal clients where a conviction would affect their ability to follow a traditional livelihood of hunting and fishing;
- youths charged with federal offences, and
- clients with a physical condition or disability or a mental or emotional illness that makes it impossible for them to represent themselves.
Family cases where the client needs:
- an immediate court order to ensure their own or their child’s safety and security,
- to overcome a serious denial of access to their children; or
- to prevent the permanent removal of a child from the province.
Exceptions may be considered where, for instance, only the appointment of a lawyer can avoid a significant injustice, or where the client is unable to represent him or herself due to a mental or physical disability or trauma from past abuse.
Child protection cases where:
- the Ministry of Children and Family Development has taken or has threatened to take child(ren) away,
- there are custody and access issues related to a child in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Mental health hearings before a Mental Health Review Panel or the B.C. Review Board.
Prison issues for which the Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides the right to a lawyer.
Immigration proceedings for refugee claimants or clients facing removal from Canada.
Victims of or witnesses to crime where the defence lawyer asks for the disclosure of personal information.
Note: Whether or not any particular case is to be covered by legal aid, is ultimately a decision made by LSS.
Eligibility[edit]
Youths charged with federal offences are entitled to legal aid representation regardless of their financial status. Other applicants for legal representation must have a net monthly household income equal to or less than the amounts in the following table:
| Eligibility guidelines for legal representation |
| Household size | Net monthly income |
| 1 | $1,400 |
| 2 | $1,950 |
| 3 | $2,500 |
| 4 | $3,050 |
| 5 | $3,600 |
| 6 | $4,160 |
| 7 or more | $4,715 |
There are also asset limits and some allowable deductions.
Applying for legal aid[edit]
You can apply for legal aid over the phone or in person at a Legal Services Society office or at an office of a local agent authorized to take legal aid applications. You will need to provide information about your case and proof of income such as two recent pay stubs, a recent welfare stub or a recent income tax return or bank records. You will also have to provide information about valuable assets such as a car or boat.
Note that if you don’t qualify for representation, you may still be financially eligible for advice services such as duty counsel or LawLINE. (You don’t have to be financially eligible to receive legal information from LSS.)
Phone and Website[edit]
Phone: Check the White Pages of your phone book under “Legal Aid” or call Enquiry B.C. at 1-800-663-7867 for the number of the office nearest you. You can also apply for legal aid over the phone at 1-866-577-2525.
Website: www.lss.bc.ca. To find the office nearest you, click on the appropriate link under the “Legal Aid—Legal Aid Offices” drop-down box. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Resource #34: Private Bar Lawyers[edit]
Lawyers in private practice provide three main free or low-cost services. These are:
- Free initial consultations:
- Many lawyers will provide up to 30 minutes of free advice to new clients. After the first interview, clients are expected to make financial arrangements for further services.
- Contingency fee agreements:
- Where a client has a legal problem where there is a likelihood of compensation at the conclusion of their case (eg personal injury matters), many lawyers are prepared to provide advice and representation on a “contingency fee” (percentage fee) basis, where they do not collect their fees unless and until the case is resolved successfully for the client. However, clients are usually expected to pay the lawyer’s disbursements (out-of-pocket expenses) along the way.
- Pro Bono services:
- Law firms are encouraged to provide at least some pro bono (free-of-charge) services every year. The extent of these services may extend from advice to full representation.
Contacting a Private Bar Lawyer[edit]
One of the best ways to find the names of lawyers in your area is through the Yellow Pages of the phone book. Many of the ads will state whether the firm offers “free initial consultations”.
Pro Bono legal services are more difficult to find. However, many lawyers register their availability to do pro bono work with the Pro Bono Law of BC Roster. You can be referred to one of the roster lawyers through such services as Access Justice, the LawLINE or the Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program.