BC Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre Website
If you do not have a lawyer representing you, this website can help you to learn more abut the court system and court procedures, get legal information, locate and fill out the relevant court forms, find out about free legal advice, and find alternatives to court. www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
Telephone: 604-685-3425
Provides legal assistance to those with low income or physical or mental disabilities. Lawyers focus on Charter of Rights litigation, test cases and law reform work. Contains link to “A Guide to Successful Interview with a Lawyer” plus comprehensive list of self-help resources when dealing with legal matters.
Canadian Legal Information Institute
Links to BC Statutes and Regulations www.canlii.org
Dial-A-Law
Dial-A-Law is a library of scripts prepared by lawyers. It offers general information on a variety of topics on law in British Columbia, but not legal advice. If you need further information, you should consult a lawyer. Information is available in English, Chinese and Punjabi.
Toll-free: 1-800-565-5297 www.dialalaw.org
Electronic Law Library
This website provides the residents of BC with access to general legal information. Including information about common legal problems, laws & regulations, by-laws of BC municipalities, information about governments, legal information resources in other jurisdictions, including the US. It is not intended to give legal advice.
www.bcpl.gov.bc.ca/ell
Law Courts Education Society
Civil law self help section on Accessing Court Documents Online, Taking Your Case to the Supreme Court of Canada, Guidebooks for Representing Yourself in Supreme Court, Tip Sheets for Self-Representing Litigants.
www.lawcourtsed.ca/index
The following sites may also be helpful:
BC Courthouse Library Society
BC Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre
LawLINE
LawLINK
PovNet (A Guide to a Successful Interview with a Lawyer)
Lawyer Referral Service
Toll-free: 1-800-663-1919 www.cba.org/BC/Initiatives/main/lawyer_referral.aspx
Connects you with the right lawyer. Initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a fee of $25 plus taxes.
LawLINE*
Staff gives free legal information and advice, including: criminal charges, debt problems, family disputes, housing concerns, immigration issues, pensions and benefits, welfare.
Toll-free: 1-866-577-2525, then press ‘7’
Call for drop-in hours.
LawLINK* www.lawlink.bc.ca.
Find legal information and self-help resources on the internet.
*Access LawLINE and LawLINK free from Legal Information Outreach, 205, 304 Martin Street, Penticton.
Call for drop-in hours.
Legal Information Outreach, Legal Aid Services/Legal Services Society of BC
Access Legal Aid Services, LawLINE and LawLINK free from
205, 304 Martin Street, Penticton. Call for drop-in hours.
The Legal Services Society offers a variety of services in BC including Legal Aid Services, publications and videos, a comprehensive website, legal information outreach workers, LawLine, LawLink, duty counsel. Services are available Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. See index for specific references.
Telephone: 250-493-7164 www.lss.bc.ca
Ombudsman for the Province of BC
Can investigate provincial government ministries, including complaints regarding income assistance and the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program; crown corporations such as ICBC and BC Hydro; government boards such as WCB and the BC Human Rights Tribunal; hospitals, regional and local health agencies, and health-related government agencies such as Medical Services Plan and Pharmacare; schools and school districts; universities and colleges; municipal and regional governments; self-regulating professions such as the Law Society, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia
Toll-free: 1-800-567-3247 www.ombud.gov.bc.ca
People’s Law School
Produces booklets about the law.
150-900 Howe Street, Vancouver, B.C. B6Z 2M4
Telephone: 604-331-5400 www.publiclegaled.bc.ca
PovNet
www.povnet.org
For people on welfare, advocates and community groups who are involved in anti-poverty work. Includes up-to-date information about welfare, housing and homelessness, poor bashing, workfare, community organizing and disability and human rights issues, provides links to other sites of interest to advocates.
Online publications:
a guide for advocates: knowing your rights www.povnet.org/resources/fapgmanual
Witnessing an MHR/Client Interview www.povnet.org/downloads/Witnessing
UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program “The LSLAP Manual”
Online manual providing a thorough and practical guide to many areas of poverty law. Includes chapters on family law, victims, workers’ compensation, employment insurance, consumer protection, creditors’ remedies and debtors’ assistance, landlord and tenant law, mental health, wills and estates, immigration law, human rights, public complaints, social assistance, small claims procedures.
www.lslap.bc.ca
University of Victoria—The Law Clinic
Publications: factsheets, booklets and self-help kits, small claims forms, defending traffic tickets, Family Court Forms, Family Court Booklets www.thelawcentre.ca/lawpubs.html