Legal Services

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

Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Youth Against Violence Line

Government of British Columbia
A province-wide, 24/7 multilingual service offering confidential support to young people impacted by youth violence or crime. Parents, teachers, and service providers who are worried about a young person's well-being can also seek assistance and information.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features “o” in dark blue, “ip” in light blue, and “c” in dark blue. The organization name in full is on the right in dark blue.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC (OIPC)

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC (OIPC)
From promoting a more open government to protecting your privacy, the Commissioner enforces BC’s privacy and access laws. It handles disputes, complaints, and investigations, and provides guidance on access and privacy issues.
Last reviewed August 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.

Gladue Services

BC First Nations Justice Council
Helps First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who self-identify get a Gladue report. Fill out the information form online, or visit the Indigenous Justice Centre in your community. Once the form is submitted, a Gladue Services Coordinator will respond to the email or phone number you’ve provided within 72 hours.
Last reviewed August 2024
The logo consists of a shield with the text "University of Victoria" below it, and the text "Law" below that. The shield features three red birds at the top, a book with yellow pages in the centre, and alternating blue and white horizontal stripes at the bottom.

Inmate Legal Services

The Law Centre at the University of Victoria
Law students will come to William Head Penitentiary and the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre (Wilkinson Road) and may be able to provide advice and assistance to inmates.
Last reviewed August 2024
Yellow emblem featuring a detailed coat of arms with a lion and a unicorn flanking a shield.

Indigenous Sentencing Courts

Provincial Court of British Columbia
Criminal sentencing courts that use restorative justice and traditional ways to reach balance and healing. If you identify as Aboriginal or Indigenous and you plead guilty to a crime or are found guilty, you might be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing in a First Nations/Indigenous Court in BC.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features a dove in a circle outlined with a chain, with one link broken. The organization name is to the right.

Prisoners’ Legal Services

Prisoners’ Legal Services
Clinic providing prison-related legal aid (other than appeals) to people in federal and provincial prisons. Advocates help with issues including segregation, disciplinary hearings, involuntary transfers, parole suspensions, detention hearings, and sentence calculation. Services may range from summary advice to legal representation at hearings.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo featuring blue semi circles below a small solid blue circle representing water dropping, with the organization name to the right.

Restorative Justice Victoria

Restorative Justice Victoria
Provides restorative justice services in the Greater Victoria Area, working with youth (ages 12 and up) and adults. This victim-centred approach aims to address the harms caused by crime and violence. This approach can be used instead of, alongside, or independently of the traditional justice system.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons

Government of British Columbia
In BC, the Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons is responsible for the protection and well being of trafficked persons. If you suspect someone may be exploited or the victim of human trafficking, or if you would like some help or support, please call.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features interlocking purple and green curved lines to the left of the text "Credit Counselling Society" in purple.

Credit Counselling Society

Credit Counselling Society
Provides fee credit counselling appointments to discuss your personal finances with a certified credit counsellor. They will review your financial situation to help you make a plan to get out of debt.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Workers’ Advisers Office

Government of British Columbia
Provides workers and their dependents with free advice, assistance, and in some cases representation, to appeal WorkSafeBC decisions they disagree with. The service offers training, mentoring, and advice to union and other representatives helping injured workers with their disagreements with WorkSafeBC decisions.
Last reviewed August 2024