Find organizations that provide legal help in BC. Most services are free or low cost.
Family LawLINE lawyers give legal advice about family law issues such as parenting time or contact/access, guardianship/custody, child support, spousal support, property division, family agreements, adoption, and court procedures. To be considered for this service, call Legal Aid BC’s Call Centre at the hours listed on the web page.
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.
These service providers located throughout BC have partnered with Legal Aid BC to improve access to legal aid services in rural, remote, and Aboriginal communities. They help you get free legal information, call legal aid, find your nearest legal aid location, get legal help online, and connect with people who can help.
Legal Aid BC staff who guide you through the legal aid process, if you're a legal aid client. They answer questions about legal aid, provide practical support, help with your appointments, communicate with your lawyers, find specialized support services for your needs, and connect you with duty counsel, Family LawLINE, and other community services.
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.
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).
A province-wide toll-free telephone service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide criminal law advice. You can call to speak to a lawyer if you’re arrested, detained, or under active investigation by the police or another law enforcement agency for a criminal offence, but not yet charged, and in need of emergency legal services.
Lawyers who help people with low incomes deal with their family law issues, including child protection issues if the MCFD is involved, and if you’re going through a separation or divorce. You might qualify for help from family duty counsel in Provincial or Supreme Court even if you don’t qualify for a legal aid lawyer.
Lawyers for people in detention at the Canada Border Services Agency’s enforcement centre in Vancouver. They can give advice regarding procedures and your legal rights, and may appear on your behalf at detention hearings. You don’t have to meet financial eligibility requirements for these services.
Lawyers who can help you in Provincial Court if you’re charged with a crime, and can’t get a legal aid lawyer, or haven’t yet applied for legal aid. They can give you advice about the charges, court procedures, and your legal rights, and can represent you at a bail hearing. If there’s time, duty counsel can help with a guilty plea.
