Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo of the Community Legal Assistance Society, featuring a workmark in black text with a colorful abstract design on the left around another wordmark "CLAS" consisting of blue, green, purple, and orange shapes.

BC Judicial Review Self-Help Guide

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
This guide gives an overview of the judicial review process, from preparing and filing your petition and affidavit to representing yourself in court. It includes sample documents and ways to get in touch with CLAS lawyers to receive advice about your situation.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features a shield coloured yellow, green, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Debt Collection

Consumer Protection BC
Consumer Protection BC regulates the debt collection and repayment industry. The website offers information on your rights and obligations around debt-collection practices. Includes links on how to dispute a debt, request communication in writing only, or notify a collection agency that you are not the debtor.
Last reviewed January 2026
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Co-operative Housing: Members’ Rights & Duties

People’s Law School
Explains co-op housing, the law and rules that apply, how co-ops are governed, the rights and duties of co-op members, if members have a dispute, ending a person’s membership, if a person disagrees with a decision to end the membership, and leaving the co-op and recovering unpaid housing charges.
Last reviewed July 2025
Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, with a scenic photograph of a mountainous landscape with a path running through a lush green valley.

JP Boyd on Family Law: How Do I Make a Priority Parenting Matter Application?

John-Paul Boyd, KC
Explains issues that count as priority parenting matters and how to make an application in the Provincial Court. Priority parenting matters include urgent health decisions for a child, immediate needs for a passport, a child’s upcoming travel or activity, or issues relating to relocation or removal of a child.
Last reviewed February 2025
Logo features the initials "JES" in green on the left and a grey scale of justice with the text "Justice Education Society" in a circular arrangement around it on the right.

Before Trial: Avoiding Trial Basics (civil law)

Supreme Court BC (Justice Education Society)
This guidebook explains how you can resolve your case before it goes to trial. Most disputes are resolved before reaching that stage. It’s important to think about settling your case; lawsuits are time-consuming and expensive, and costs increase at every stage of the proceeding.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo features the initials "JES" in green on the left and a grey scale of justice with the text "Justice Education Society" in a circular arrangement around it on the right.

Court Process (small claims court)

Small Claims BC (Justice Education Society)
This website explains the process of going to BC small claims court. You can learn more details about each step as you go through the web pages. Find out what to do if you’re being sued and how to sue someone in small claims court.
Last reviewed March 2024
Front cover of the booklet with the word "testing" in a droplet shape.

HIV Testing Handbook: A Guide to Your Rights

BC Civil Liberties Association
This handbook covers some of the topics that you need to know to understand your rights in regard to HIV testing. It covers topics like informed consent, “non-nominal” (no-name) testing, and how to safeguard your medical privacy and limit who can view your medical information.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Making a Claim for Workers’ Compensation

People’s Law School
Explains how workers’ compensation works and who can get it. It describes the benefits you might be entitled to if you suffer a temporary disability, or are permanently disabled, and the benefits for families of workers. It explains the steps you need to take to make a claim.
Last reviewed October 2025
Organization logo of "TRAC" with the "A" shaped like a house.

Your Tenancy: Finding Rental Housing

Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)
Tips on finding a place to rent, including potential additional costs, what questions to ask when you view a unit, the signs of a rental scam, what to do if you have a poor credit history, and information on tenant insurance. Includes templates for a cover letter, references list, and pet resumé.
Last reviewed July 2025
Logo features three overlapping hexagons in yellow, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Solution Explorer: Vehicle Accidents

Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
This tool asks you simple questions and gives you customized legal information and options based on your answers. Depending on the type of claim, there may be strict requirements or timelines set by law. It will classify your issue and give you the right online application form.
Last reviewed June 2024