Legal Resources

Explains what you need to do to get — and keep — your licence, including if you’re new to BC, and what it takes to lose your driver’s licence. Helps you work out problems, like if you lose your licence and want a review, or if you have to take a driver medical exam.

Explains your options if you get a traffic ticket. You can pay, fight the ticket, or do nothing. There are time limits to pay or to file your dispute, and if you do nothing you’ll be treated as if you pled guilty. The page explains what you need to know to dispute your ticket. It also answers common questions, and links to help.

British Columbia has a law to help protect you from discrimination and harassment. Learn what it covers, and what’s involved in making a complaint that someone has discriminated against you.

Explains that going to court is just one way to resolve a legal problem. Other ways can be cheaper, faster, and more effective. They often require you to be more involved and willing to compromise. Topics include common alternative dispute resolution options and situations where they might fit best.

Explains that small claims court charges filing fees, which can be a barrier for many people. Find out how you can ask to have the fees waived, so you don’t have to pay them. It explains how the court decides whether or not to waive your fees, and the steps you need to take.

Explains the driver penalty points you’ll typically get if you’re ticketed for a driving offence in BC. Learn about how ICBC calculates driver penalty point premiums, how long they stay on your driving record, what if you can’t (or don’t) pay the premium, what if you’re not allowed to drive, and the points leading to a driving prohibition.

Learn about what claims you can bring in small claims court, and what the time limit is. It details the steps in the process (prepare the notice of claim, file the notice of claim on court, serve the notice on the defendant, wait for a reply, and attend the settlement conference).

It is criminal harassment for someone to repeatedly follow or contact you or engage in threatening behaviour to make you afraid. This can also include cyberbullying.

Shoplifting is taking (or trying to take) something from a store without paying for it, with the intention of stealing. Learn what to expect if you’ve been charged with shoplifting.

A criminal conviction can seriously affect the rest of your life. Understand what it means to “plead guilty” to a criminal charge, and learn the steps involved in the process.