Legal Help for British Columbians

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A guide for non-legal professionals in British Columbia to learn where to direct clients when legal problems occur. It can also be used directly by those seeking assistance with their legal problem.

Contents

• Introduction

Getting Started

• Know any good lawyers?

Common Legal Problems

• Complaints about Police and Other Authorities
  • I was harassed or assaulted by the police · A provincial government worker was abusive to me · A federal government worker was abusive to me · I was abused in a Residential School

• Consumer and Debt
  • I don't have enough money to pay my debts · The bank is threatening foreclosure on my home · A debt collector is harassing me · I bought a product from a door-to-door salesperson and no longer want it · My car broke down and the dealer won’t fix it

• Criminal Law
  • I've been charged with a criminal offence and have to go to court · I've been offered "diversion" · I want to change my release conditions · I want to move my criminal case closer to home · I have a criminal record and want to get a pardon.

• Employment Law
  • My employer isn't paying my wages  · I have been dismissed (fired) without just cause · I've been turned down for Employment Insurance benefits  · I've been cut off workers' compensation benefits

• Family Law
  • I have a family problem and I want to resolve it out of court · I just separated from the other parent of my children · My partner is abusing me and my kids · My ex is not paying child support · I am having challenges with my children and don't want the Ministry to remove them · The Ministry has taken my kids

• Housing
  • My landlord wants to evict me

• Human Rights
  • I am being discriminated against or sexually harassed

• Immigration
  • I want to claim refugee status in Canada  · I'm a permanent resident and have been charged with a criminal offence  · My husband sponsored me and we have now separated

• Mental Health
  • A relative has been held against their will in a mental health facility

• Suing and Being Sued
  • I am being sued · I need to take someone to court

• Welfare and Disability
  • I have no money for food or shelter · I have been denied or cut off welfare  · I need to apply for disability benefits  · I'm being investigated by the welfare Ministry

• Wills and Estates
  • I want to write a will · I am the executor or administrator of an estate · I want to help a friend or relative manage their affairs

Resource List

• A list of the best sources of legal information and help available for low-income British Columbians

Preparing for Your Interview

• A sample form to help you prepare for meetings with a lawyer or an advocate

About this Guide

This Guide was the first "Clicklaw Wikibook", which feature a free, accessible online resource (the wiki version of the publication) that is also used to produce a printed book. Learn more about Clicklaw Wikibooks.

Leading the writing of this Guide is founding author Cliff Thorstenson, who works a team of lawyers and editors in updating the Guide on this wiki.

Launch of the Guide as a Clicklaw Wikibook

This Guide was launched as an online resource in March 2012 as the first Clicklaw wikibook:

• Clicklaw blog posting "Clicklaw Wikibook – Legal Help for British Columbians, 3rd Edition"
• Legal Help Guide Announcement, a one sheeter describing the Guide
• "BC lawyers help launch public legal help guide in Clicklaw wikibook format", a Courthouse Libraries BC news release

Creative Commons

Legal Help for British Columbians by Courthouse Libraries BC and Cliff Thorstenson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License.

This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this work non-commercially, as long as they credit Courthouse Libraries BC and Cliff Thorstenson and license their new creations under the identical terms.

Additional Resources

Find additional plain language, practical legal information on Clicklaw.

Find law-related help on the Clicklaw HelpMap.

A person licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction by that jurisdiction's law society. See "barrister and solicitor."

(1) A lawyer or a person other than a lawyer who helps clients with legal issues, or (2) to argue a position on behalf of someone.

In family law, a legal document in which a person gives up a right or a claim, or the entitlement to enforce a right or advance a claim; a waiver. Releases are usually signed following the settlement of a court proceeding or legal dispute. See "action" and "claim."