Settlement Workers Guide to Finding Legal Information

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This section is about finding legal information that is reliable, up to date and understandable. Knowing where to find such information is an important first step.

Find legal information online

A good starting point is Clicklaw, a website that helps you find legal information on everyday legal topics. The information found through Clicklaw is produced by trusted organizations such as the Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch, Legal Services Society and TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre and is:

• specifically written for people in BC,
• written in plain language, and
• up to date.

The website includes common questions, links to legal information and the Helpmap to find legal services across BC. Clicklaw is a program of Courthouse Libraries BC.

Examples of topics include debt, family law, health, housing, rights & citizenship, abuse & family violence and the court system.

You can search for information by topic and by language. Searching by language can be helpful for clients who read languages other than English but it is important to know that the amount of legal information available in other languages is limited. The legal information your client needs may be available only in English.

If you use a search engine like Google to find legal information, it is very important that you ask the following questions:

• What is the jurisdiction? Make sure the information is for people in BC. For example, the law in Alberta, Ontario or the US may not be the same as in BC.
• Is the website easy to read and clear? Plain language information that is well organized makes it easier for people to understand legal concepts.
• Who created the information? Look for who produced the information and check their credentials.
• Is the information up to date? Good online information will show when it was written or last updated. Laws can change at any time, so finding current information is important.
• Is the site asking you to pay a fee? Some websites provide legal information as a way to attract customers. The information may be limited.

When you use Clicklaw or see a result from Clicklaw in your Google search, you know editors and contributors have done this work for you. You can trust the legal information you find through Clicklaw.

Find legal information booklets and other print information

Most legal information booklets are available electronically on Clicklaw. Publications can be printed from the online version, or they can be ordered. For information on how to order print copies of booklets, brochures or pamphlets, check the inside or back cover. Or, check the website of the organization that produces the information.

For example, the Legal Society Services of BC provides information on how to order the booklet Living Together or Living Apart.

Select legal information

You can help your client select the information that is best suited for them. Print information in other languages, if available, may be helpful as a starting point. Clients need to know the amount of legal information available in other languages is limited. If your client has access to a computer, perhaps an online video would be best, or reading information online.

Helping clients determine what level of detail is a good idea at this point. Would a general overview be the most help or do they need more information such as a self-help guide or a step-by-step list of instructions?

You can explain the choices available and show them where they can get more detailed information if they need it.

The testing of the claims in a court proceeding at a formal hearing before a judge with the jurisdiction to hear the proceeding. The parties present their evidence and arguments to the judge, who then makes a decision resolving the parties' claims against one another that is final and binding on the parties unless successfully appealed. See "action," "appeal," "argument," "claim," "evidence" and "jurisdiction."

In law, the re-examination of a term of an order or agreement, usually to determine whether the term remains fair and appropriate in light of the circumstances prevailing at the time of the review. In family law, particularly the review of an order or agreement provided for the payment of spousal support. See "de novo," "family law agreements," "order" and "spousal support."

With respect to courts, (1) the authority of the court to hear an action and make orders, (2) the limits of the authority of a particular judicial official, (3) the geographic location of a court, or (4) the territorial limits of a court's authority. With respect to governments, (5) the authority of a government to make legislation as determined by the constitution, or (6) the limits of authority of a particular government agency. See “constitution."

In law, a form of possession of property in which a "trustee" keeps and manages property for the benefit of another person, the "beneficiary," without owning that property and usually without acquiring an interest in that property other than as payment for their services. The trustee holds the property in trust for the beneficiary. See "constructive trust," "ownership," "possession" and "resulting trust."

A mandatory direction of the court that is binding and enforceable upon the parties to a court proceeding. An "interim order" is a temporary order made following the hearing of an interim application. A "final order" is a permanent order, made following the trial of the court proceeding or the parties' settlement, following which the only recourse open to a dissatisfied party is to appeal. Failing to abide by the terms of an order may constitute contempt of court. See "appeal," "consent order," "contempt of court," "decision" and "declaration."

Under the old Divorce Act, the schedule of a parent's time with their children under an order or agreement, replaced with "parenting time" and "contact" in the new Divorce Act. Access usually referred to the schedule of the parent with the least amount of time with the child. See "contact," "custody" and "parenting time."

In law, the directions given by a client to their lawyer about either the conduct of their affairs or a court proceeding.