Difference between revisions of "Legal Help for British Columbians"

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**[[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]]


*'''[[Consumer and Debt]]'''
*'''[[Consumer and Debt Problems|Consumer and Debt]]'''
**[[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 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]]


*'''[[Criminal Law]]'''
*'''[[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 have a criminal record and want to get a pardon]].  
**[[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]].  


*'''[[Employment Law]]'''
*'''[[Employment Law Problems|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]]  
**[[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]]  


*'''[[Family Law]]'''
*'''[[Family Law Problems|Family Law]]'''
**[[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 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]]  


*'''[[Housing]]'''  
*'''[[Housing Problems|Housing]]'''  
**[[My landlord wants to evict me]]
**[[My landlord wants to evict me]]
   
   
*'''[[Human Rights]]'''  
*'''[[Human Rights Problems|Human Rights]]'''  
**[[I am being discriminated against or sexually harassed]]
**[[I am being discriminated against or sexually harassed]]
   
   
*'''[[Immigration]]'''  
*'''[[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]]  
**[[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]]  


*'''[[Mental Health]]'''  
*'''[[Mental Health Law Problems|Mental Health]]'''  
**[[A relative has been held against their will in a mental health facility]]  
**[[A relative has been held against their will in a mental health facility]]  


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**[[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]]
   
   
*'''[[Welfare and Disability]]'''  
*'''[[Welfare and Disability Problems|Welfare and Disability]]'''  
**[[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 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]]  


*'''[[Wills and Estates]]'''  
*'''[[Wills and Estates Problems|Wills and Estates]]'''  
**[[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]]
**[[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]]


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


This Guide was the first "Clicklaw Wikibook", which feature a free, accessible online resource (the wiki version of the publication) that is also used to produce a printed book. Learn more about [[Clicklaw Wikibooks]].
This Guide was the first Clicklaw Wikibook, which are collaboratively developed, plain language legal publications that are born-wiki and can also be printed. Learn more about [[Clicklaw Wikibooks]].


Leading the writing of this Guide is founding author [[Cliff Thorstenson]], who works 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.


==Launch of the Guide as a Clicklaw Wikibook==
==Launch of the Guide as a Clicklaw Wikibook==


This Guide was launched as an online resource in March 2012 as the first Clicklaw wikibook:     
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]"
*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://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
*"[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


== Additional resources==
== Additional resources==
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__NOTOC__
__NOTOC__
<noinclude>__NOGLOSSARY__</noinclude>
[[Category:Navigation Page]]
[[Category:Navigation Page]]

Revision as of 16:10, 31 March 2013

Cover of Legal Help for British Columbians
Cover of 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

Getting Started

Common Legal Problems

Resource List

Preparing for Your Interview

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

About this Guide

This Guide was the first Clicklaw Wikibook, which are collaboratively developed, plain language legal publications that are born-wiki and can also be printed. 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.

Launch of the Guide as a Clicklaw Wikibook

This Guide was launched as an online resource in March 2012 as the first Clicklaw Wikibook:

Additional resources

Find additional plain language, practical legal information on Clicklaw.

Find law-related help on the Clicklaw HelpMap.

Creative Commons

Creativecommonssmall.png

Legal Help for British Columbians © Cliff Thorstenson and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.