Legal Help for British Columbians

Cover of Legal Help for British Columbians

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 © Cliff Thorstenson and Courthouse Libraries BC is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada Licence.

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."