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.

Access Justice

Access Pro Bono operates free legal clinics in a number of communities throughout BC. Clients who meet the financial means test (see website for details) can receive 30 minutes of free legal advice and sometimes additional appointments. Access Pro Bono lawyers generally do not appear in court or tribunals but they can give advice, make calls, and assist with documents. Website accessprobono.ca Phone 1-604-878-7400 Toll-free: 1-877-762-6664 Find on Clicklaw Access Pro Bono on Clicklaw HelpMap

AdminLawBC.ca

AdminLawBC.ca describes administrative tribunals — the specialized government agencies, boards and commissions that provide resolution of disputes involving government laws and how they are applied. They can hear complaints about decisions made by government agencies related to such topics as minimum wage, Employment Insurance, safety standards, telephone service rates, or rules of conduct of doctors and other professionals. The site also features a BC Administrative Law Directory which lists information and many of the decisions of over 100 federal and provincial tribunals. Website adminlawbc.ca Phone No phone service available

Advocacy Access

The Advocacy Access Program is a service of Disability Alliance BC (formerly 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, Canada Pension Plan disability benefits, and the Registered Disability Savings Plan. Website: Advocacy Access Publications has a number of fact sheets about disability-related money and income support issues. Website www.disabilityalliancebc.org Phone 1-604-872-1278 Toll-free: 1-800-663-1278 Find on Clicklaw Advocacy Access Program on Clicklaw HelpMap

Bankruptcy BC

Seniors First BC (formerly BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support - BCCEAS) is a non-profit organization helping older adults. They operate Seniors' Legal Clinics in the Lower Mainland and a toll-free Seniors Advocacy and Information Line (SAIL) that provides information and referrals. Website: The Resources section has fact sheets and e-books on residential care and elder abuse. Website seniorsfirstbc.ca Phone 1-604-437-1940 Toll-free: 1-866-437-1940 Find on Clicklaw Seniors First BC on Clicklaw HelpMap

Lawyer Referral Service

Access Pro Bono Society of BC's Lawyer Referral Service provides referrals to lawyers in private practice who specialize in various areas of the law. Any member of the public may call this service to obtain the contact information of a lawyer who will provide a free half-hour legal consultation. Website www.accessprobono.ca Phone 604-687-3221 Find on Clicklaw Lawyer Referral Service on HelpMap

Legal Aid Representation

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 section XX for a detailed description of Legal Aid Representation.

In contract law, a promise made by someone about a certain state of affairs, like "the plumbing was replaced last year" or "I had a vasectomy two years ago." See "misrepresentation."

In law, to formally deliver documents to a person in a manner that complies with the rules of court. Service may be ordinary (mailed or delivered to a litigant's address for service), personal (hand-delivered to a person), or substituted (performed in a way other than the rules normally require). See "address for delivery," "ordinary service," "personal service" and "substituted service."

Under the Family Law Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a guardian of a child, including a parent who is not a guardian, has with that child. Under the Divorce Act, a term that describes the time a person who is not a married spouse has with a child. See "guardian" and "parental responsibilities."

A person licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction by that jurisdiction's law society. See "barrister and solicitor."

(1) In law, a court proceeding; a lawsuit; an action; a cause of action; a claim. (2) A historic decision of the court; case law. See "action," "case law, " "court proceeding," and "precedent."