Legal Services

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

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Lawyer Referral Service

Access Pro Bono
This service helps you find a suitable lawyer. Anyone can call to get contact information of a lawyer who will meet for a free 15-minute appointment. You can retain the lawyer at a rate you both agree to, but there’s no obligation for either of you to continue after the free consultation.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo featuring the scales of justice, in white, inside a circle. The left side of the circle is blue, the right side is green. Below are the words “The Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch.”

Find-a-Lawyer

The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC)
Online legal directory where you can find legal services in your community by searching for the location, area of practice, and language spoken to find all lawyers that meet those criteria. You can also find a specific lawyer or law firm if you know the name.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo with the letters “BC” and the larger word “Notaries.” On their right is a shield with a lion on either side. The shield has the British flag over three wavy lines, all in dark red. There is a crown above and the words “SINCE 1926” below.

Find a Notary

BC Notaries
Find a notary by searching by name, location, or language. Notaries provide a broad range of legal services, including affidavits for all documents you need at a Public Registry, authorization of minor child travel, certified true copies of documents, powers of attorney, and will preparation.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo with “MOSAIC” in dark blue letters, above which is the outline of the Canadian flag’s maple leaf made out of three letter “M”s, in orange, blue, and green.

Support for migrant workers and legal advocacy

MOSAIC
Provides the information, support, and referrals you need to understand your rights as a newcomer to Canada. Programs include support in family law, immigration law, workers rights, and victim support. All services are confidential and free for eligible people.
Last reviewed August 2024
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Everyone Legal Clinic (lower-cost representation services)

Access Pro Bono
Connect with an articling clinician for a family, tenancy and strata, employment, wills and estates, civil, corporate, consumer, or criminal law issue. Schedule a free initial phone or video meeting with a clinician (up to 30 minutes). They work under the supervision of practising lawyers and provide legal services on a lower-cost, fixed-fee basis.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo showing the name "Seniors First BC" in a modern lowercase font in a gradient of blue colors, each letter overlapping the next.

Elder Law Clinic

Seniors First BC
Offers pro bono (free) legal advice to eligible older adults (55+) living in BC on a wide range of legal matters, including helping throughout court processes and dealing with adult guardianship issues. They also help prepare advance planning documents such as wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo is the words, in black, "Society for children and youth of BC" with the words "children" and "youth" larger than the other words.

Child and Youth Legal Centre

Society for Children and Youth of BC
The Child and Youth Legal Centre provides legal help for young people who are experiencing problems relating to family law, child protection, a breach of human rights, and many other legal issues.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo of the website with "Unbundled Legal Services" in black on a white background with a horizontal stripe of various colors at the bottom.

Family lawyers offering unbundled legal services

Unbundled Legal Services
A list of family lawyers and paralegals who will perform select legal tasks if you don’t want or can’t afford full representation. You’ll pay for some assistance depending on what help you want and what you can afford. Professionals are sorted by location. Many of the practitioners on the list provide remote/digital as well as in-person service.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features two stylized trees and the text "Burnaby Family Life: A Place to Go...A Place to Grow!" in blue.

Family law and poverty law advocate (Burnaby)

Burnaby Family Life
The program provides free and confidential legal information, advocacy and referrals to qualifying residents in the Lower Mainland. The program includes family law and poverty law advocates.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features an orange maple leaf inside of which is an image of a handshake. The letters “PICS” are under the maple leaf, the “I” forming the stem of the leaf. The other letters are green.

Legal Advocacy Program

Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society
Helps agricultural workers with multiple barriers deal with legal appeals and complaints related to employment insurance, WorkSafeBC, employment standards, and more. They also help with employment-related disability cases, tenancy issues, and more. They offer legal representation and information, maintain resources, and do referrals.
Last reviewed August 2024