Legal Services

Find organizations that provide legal help in BC. Most services are free or low cost.

Logo featuring the outline of a semi circle, coloured turquoise. Inside the semi circle is the word "migrant" in large black letters, and below that are the words "workers centre" in smaller black letters.

Legal advocacy & clinic

Migrant Workers Centre

Pro bono (free) legal advocacy services to caregivers and other migrant workers. They help with immigration, employment issues, labour exploitation, and trafficking and human rights. They cover issues such as recovering lost wages, illegal recruitment fees, employment contracts, EI, immigration status, work permits, and temporary resident visas.

Last reviewed July 2024
The logo shows the scales of justice above an open book, with a wreath at either side. Under the book are the letters “LSLAP.” To the right are the words “LAW STUDENTS’” above the words “LEGAL ADVICE PROGRAM.” All these elements are white, and the rectangular background is a dark blue to darker blue gradient.

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)

Free legal advice and representation on issues such as criminal summary offences, civil resolution, small claims, residential tenancy, WorkSafeBC, consumer protection, EI, CPP and Old-Age Pension, wills and estates, and immigration and refugee issues. They may draft certain types of legal documents such as demand letters, wills, and more.

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo is a blue circle in which there’s a line drawing of mountains, with the sun overhead and a pine tree in the foreground. The words “Okanagan Thompson Legal Clinic” are to the right.

Okanagan Thompson Legal Clinic

Community Legal Clinic Operating Society of BC

Free legal advice and representation to low-income people in the Kamloops and Kelowna area. They help with income assistance, limited family law, disability, tenancy, employment insurance, employment standards, Indigenous legal issues, human rights, small claims, CRT matters, judicial reviews, and other areas not covered by legal aid.

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Legal aid intake services

Legal Aid BC

To qualify for a legal aid lawyer, your legal problem must be covered by their legal aid rules and you must meet their financial guidelines. When applying, intake staff will ask you for complete and true information about your legal problem, income, savings, and assets. Proof of the financial information you provide is required.

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo shows three fish forming a circle in the Pacific coast Indigenous art style, in black, teal, and white. To the right are the words “BC FIRST NATIONS” in black, above the much larger words “JUSTICE COUNCIL” in teal.

Indigenous Justice Centres

BC First Nations Justice Council

The centres provide culturally appropriate information, advice, support, and representation directly to Indigenous people at the community level. While focused primarily on criminal law and child protection issues, they also offer services based on community and cultural needs.

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo featuring the letters "bwss" in an italic font, in black, with curved black lines swooping round the upper left and lower right. Below this are the words "BATTERED WOMEN'S" in black, with the word "WOMEN'S" in a bold font. Below this are the words "SUPPORT SERVICES" in black, with the word "SUPPORT" in a bold font.

Justice Centre at BWSS

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)

A legal clinic for women who have experienced violence. Services are trauma informed and violence informed, culturally responsive, and offered in several languages. Staff, interns, and volunteer lawyers provide legal information, accompany you to court and legal appointments, appeal when legal aid has been denied, and help you prepare documents.

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Parents Legal Centres

Legal Aid BC

Parents Legal Centres (PLCs) provide a lawyer and an advocate to help parents in select locations settle their child protection matters early on and collaboratively (everyone works together).

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Indigenous community legal workers

Legal Aid BC

Legal Aid BC staff who give legal information and limited legal advice, including about the legal process. They also attend court with you, help you prepare forms and letters, participate in negotiations, talk on your behalf (to MCFD staff, legal aid lawyers, duty counsel, or your band), and give referrals to other services.

Last reviewed July 2024
Logo showing the name "Seniors First BC" in a modern lowercase font in a gradient of blue colors, each letter overlapping the next.

Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL)

Seniors First BC

SAIL is a safe place for older adults to talk to someone about situations where they feel they’re being abused or mistreated. They provide information about elder abuse and the legal rights of older adults to friends, family members, and professionals who are concerned about an older adult.

Last reviewed July 2024
The logo features a stylized pale purple tree with green leaves over the words, in blue, "Family Services of Greater Victoria."

Separation Resource Services

Family Services of Greater Victoria (formerly BC Families in Transition)

Helps you work out your next steps if you’re pre-separated or recently separated by giving you key information as the first step towards a non-adversarial process in settling your family law matters. They don’t provide legal advice, but for a small fee offer coaching, help filling out court forms & accompany you to lawyer appointments or court.

Last reviewed July 2024