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Difference between revisions of "Free and Low-Cost Legal Help"
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Free and Low-Cost Legal Help (view source)
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*'''Duty Counsel''' | *'''Duty Counsel''' | ||
:'''''Criminal Law matters''''' | :'''''Criminal Law matters''''' | ||
:Duty counsel are lawyers paid by LSS to provide legal services in Provincial Court to in- and out-of-custody accused people who have been charged with a crime, do not have a lawyer, do not qualify for legal aid, or have not yet contacted legal aid. Duty counsel can provide you with advice about the charges against you, court procedures, and your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid). Duty counsel can also represent you at a bail hearing, and, if there is time, help with a guilty plea. While you do not have to be financially eligible for legal aid to receive duty counsel services, you must meet LSS coverage and eligibility requirements to get a referral for ongoing representation. For duty counsel hours of operation in your area, check your local court registry. | :Duty counsel are lawyers paid by LSS to provide legal services in Provincial Court to in- and out-of-custody accused people who have been charged with a crime, do not have a lawyer, do not qualify for legal aid, or have not yet contacted legal aid. Duty counsel can provide you with advice about the charges against you, court procedures, and your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid). Duty counsel can also represent you at a bail hearing, and, if there is time, help with a guilty plea. While you do not have to be financially eligible for legal aid to receive duty counsel services, you must meet LSS coverage and eligibility requirements to get a referral for ongoing representation. For duty counsel hours of operation in your area, check your local court registry. [http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/locations-contacts Court registry contact information] can be found on the [http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/ Provincial Court of British Columbia website], or in the blue pages of your phone book (under “Government of British Columbia – Court Services”). | ||
:'''''Are you Aboriginal? First Nations Court''''' | :'''''Are you Aboriginal? First Nations Court''''' | ||
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:'''''In Provincial Court''''' | :'''''In Provincial Court''''' | ||
:Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis in Vancouver, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Nanaimo and New Westminster (although appointments are encouraged). At other locations, duty counsel services are on a drop-in basis. The lawyers must first help people who have matters in court that day, but can assist others once they are not needed in court. For | :Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis in Vancouver, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Nanaimo and New Westminster (although appointments are encouraged). At other locations, duty counsel services are on a drop-in basis. The lawyers must first help people who have matters in court that day, but can assist others once they are not needed in court. For [https://legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/familyDutyCounsel.php duty counsel] hours in your community, go to the LSS website or contact your local legal aid office. You can also contact your local court registry (look in the blue pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia—Court Services"). | ||
:'''''In Supreme Court''''' | :'''''In Supreme Court''''' | ||
:If you are a person with a low income experiencing separation or divorce, you may be eligible for free legal advice from Supreme Court family duty counsel. Duty counsel are lawyers who can provide advice about: parenting arrangements, child support, property (limited advice), tentative settlement agreements, and court procedures. They can also attend judicial case conferences at some courts. Duty counsel may be able to help you even if you are not financially eligible. Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis in Vancouver. At other locations, duty counsel services are on a drop-in basis. | :If you are a person with a low income experiencing separation or divorce, you may be eligible for free legal advice from Supreme Court family duty counsel. Duty counsel are lawyers who can provide advice about: parenting arrangements, child support, property (limited advice), tentative settlement agreements, and court procedures. They can also attend judicial case conferences at some courts. Duty counsel may be able to help you even if you are not financially eligible. Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis in Vancouver. At other locations, duty counsel services are on a drop-in basis. | ||
:For the addresses and phone numbers of BC Supreme Court registries, look in the blue pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia – Court Services". For Supreme Court | :For the addresses and phone numbers of BC Supreme Court registries, look in the blue pages of your phone book under "Government of British Columbia – Court Services". For Supreme Court [http://www.legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/familyDutyCounsel.php duty counsel] hours, visit the LSS website or call your local legal aid office. | ||
*'''Family Advice Lawyers''' | *'''Family Advice Lawyers''' | ||
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“Pro bono” basically means “free,” and in these programs, private and experienced lawyers volunteer to provide free legal advice to those who can’t reasonably afford a lawyer or can’t get Legal Aid. | “Pro bono” basically means “free,” and in these programs, private and experienced lawyers volunteer to provide free legal advice to those who can’t reasonably afford a lawyer or can’t get Legal Aid. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.accessprobono.ca/ Access Pro Bono Society of BC]''' | ||
:Access Pro Bono promotes access to justice in BC by providing and fostering quality pro bono legal services for people and non-profit organizations of limited means. Access Pro Bono provides summary legal advice through its network of legal clinics around the province. It also provides representation services in limited situations, through its Roster Programs, Civil Chambers Duty Counsel Project (Vancouver), and the Nanaimo Children's Lawyer Project. The client access phone numbers for all services are 604.878.7400 in Greater Vancouver or 1.877.762.6664 from anywhere else in the province. | :Access Pro Bono promotes access to justice in BC by providing and fostering quality pro bono legal services for people and non-profit organizations of limited means. Access Pro Bono provides summary legal advice through its network of legal clinics around the province. It also provides representation services in limited situations, through its Roster Programs, Civil Chambers Duty Counsel Project (Vancouver), and the Nanaimo Children's Lawyer Project. The client access phone numbers for all services are 604.878.7400 in Greater Vancouver or 1.877.762.6664 from anywhere else in the province. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.bcpiac.com/ BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre'''] | ||
:BCPIAC is a non-profit, public interest law office. Its task is to provide representation to groups that would not otherwise have the resources to effectively assert their interests. Call 604.687.3063 in Vancouver. | :BCPIAC is a non-profit, public interest law office. Its task is to provide representation to groups that would not otherwise have the resources to effectively assert their interests. Call 604.687.3063 in Vancouver. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.clasbc.net/ Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)]''' | ||
:The purpose of the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) is to provide legal advice and assistance and to use and develop the law for the benefit of people who are physically, mentally, socially, economically or otherwise disadvantaged or whose human rights need protection. Call 604.685.3425 in Vancouver or toll free 1.888.685.6222. | :The purpose of the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) is to provide legal advice and assistance and to use and develop the law for the benefit of people who are physically, mentally, socially, economically or otherwise disadvantaged or whose human rights need protection. Call 604.685.3425 in Vancouver or toll free 1.888.685.6222. | ||
*'''Immigration & Multicultural Services''': | *'''Immigration & Multicultural Services''': | ||
:*'''Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA)''' | :*'''[http://www.amssa.org/ Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA)]''' | ||
::AMSSA provides leadership in advocacy and education in British Columbia for anti-racism, human rights, and social justice. AMSSA supports its members in serving immigrants, refugees and culturally diverse communities. Call 604.718.2780 in Vancouver or 1.888.355.5560. | ::AMSSA provides leadership in advocacy and education in British Columbia for anti-racism, human rights, and social justice. AMSSA supports its members in serving immigrants, refugees and culturally diverse communities. Call 604.718.2780 in Vancouver or 1.888.355.5560. | ||
:*''' | :*'''[http://www.issbc.org/ Immigrant Services Society of BC]''' | ||
::Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISS) will continue to be a leader in identifying the needs of immigrants and refugees and in developing, demonstrating and delivering effective, quality programs and services which meet those needs. Call 604.684.7498 or 604.684.2561 in Vancouver. | ::Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISS) will continue to be a leader in identifying the needs of immigrants and refugees and in developing, demonstrating and delivering effective, quality programs and services which meet those needs. Call 604.684.7498 or 604.684.2561 in Vancouver. | ||
:*''' | :*'''[http://www.mosaicbc.com/ MOSAIC]''' | ||
::MOSAIC is a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society. Call 604.254.9626 in Vancouver. | ::MOSAIC is a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to addressing issues that affect immigrants and refugees in the course of their settlement and integration into Canadian society. Call 604.254.9626 in Vancouver. | ||
:*'''S.U.C.C.E.S.S.''' | :*'''[http://www.successbc.ca/ S.U.C.C.E.S.S.]''' | ||
::S.U.C.C.E.S.S. supports the well being of Canadians and immigrants from diverse ethnic origins through the provision of social, educational and health services, business and community development, and advocacy. Call 604.684.1628 in Vancouver for general inquiries. | ::S.U.C.C.E.S.S. supports the well being of Canadians and immigrants from diverse ethnic origins through the provision of social, educational and health services, business and community development, and advocacy. Call 604.684.1628 in Vancouver for general inquiries. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/ Justice Access Centres (Nanaimo, Vancouver and Victoria)]''' | ||
:The justice access centres are the place to come when you need help with family and civil law issues that affect your everyday life, such as separation or divorce, income security, employment, housing or debt. The Justice Access Centres have information and services you need to reach solutions to your problems. Services are provided in person, but you can call for information: | :The justice access centres are the place to come when you need help with family and civil law issues that affect your everyday life, such as separation or divorce, income security, employment, housing or debt. The Justice Access Centres have information and services you need to reach solutions to your problems. Services are provided in person, but you can call for information: | ||
:*Nanaimo: 250.741.5447 or toll free 1.800.578.8511 | :*Nanaimo: 250.741.5447 or toll free 1.800.578.8511 | ||
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:*Victoria: 250.356.7012 | :*Victoria: 250.356.7012 | ||
*''' | *'''[http://tenants.bc.ca/ Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC)]''' | ||
:TRAC is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that offers services on legal information for tenants, publications on tenants’ rights, organizing tenants and workshops. Call 604.255.0546 in Vancouver or toll free 1.800.665.1185. | :TRAC is a Vancouver-based non-profit organization that offers services on legal information for tenants, publications on tenants’ rights, organizing tenants and workshops. Call 604.255.0546 in Vancouver or toll free 1.800.665.1185. | ||
====Law School Student Services==== | ====Law School Student Services==== | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.lslap.bc.ca/ The Law Student’s Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)]''' | ||
:It is a student-run organization that provides legal advice to those who cannot otherwise afford such assistance. Since recent cutbacks to Legal Aid in the province, LSLAP has become increasingly important in dispensing free legal advice. The main number is 604.822.5791. Their manual of free legal information is available online. | :It is a student-run organization that provides legal advice to those who cannot otherwise afford such assistance. Since recent cutbacks to Legal Aid in the province, LSLAP has become increasingly important in dispensing free legal advice. The main number is 604.822.5791. Their manual of free legal information is available online. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.thelawcentre.ca/ The Law Centre]''' | ||
:It is a service of the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law. It provides advice, assistance and representation to clients who cannot afford a lawyer. Free legal representation is for those who are qualified for legal assistance. Call 250.385.1221 or check their website for more information. | :It is a service of the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law. It provides advice, assistance and representation to clients who cannot afford a lawyer. Free legal representation is for those who are qualified for legal assistance. Call 250.385.1221 or check their website for more information. | ||
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====Legal Researches and Websites==== | ====Legal Researches and Websites==== | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.legalresearch.org/ Canadian Legal Research and Writing Guide]''' | ||
:A starting point for legal research. Effective strategies and techniques for Canadian legal research, find and using secondary sources, finding and analyzing cases, updating your research, legal writing, and frequently asked questions. | :A starting point for legal research. Effective strategies and techniques for Canadian legal research, find and using secondary sources, finding and analyzing cases, updating your research, legal writing, and frequently asked questions. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng Department of Justice, Canada]''' | ||
:Information on issues related to federal laws. For example, federal statutes and regulations, constitutional documents, court decisions, child support guidelines, and immigration matters. | :Information on issues related to federal laws. For example, federal statutes and regulations, constitutional documents, court decisions, child support guidelines, and immigration matters. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.gov.bc.ca/justice BC Ministry of Attorney General]''' | ||
:The website has information on court services, criminal justice, family law, justice reform and other related links. | :The website has information on court services, criminal justice, family law, justice reform and other related links. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/ Provincial Court of British Columbia]''' | ||
:Information on appeals, alternatives trial, frequently asked questions, the complaint process, a court locations map as well as some information about criminal, youth, family, small claims, traffic, bylaw matters and related laws. | :Information on appeals, alternatives trial, frequently asked questions, the complaint process, a court locations map as well as some information about criminal, youth, family, small claims, traffic, bylaw matters and related laws. | ||
*''' | *'''[http://www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca/ Vancouver Justice Centre’s Self Help and Information Services]''' | ||
This website has the Supreme Court’s Rules of Court and decisions that you can study, as well as information about alternatives to court and where you can obtain legal information and legal advice. | :This website has the Supreme Court’s Rules of Court and decisions that you can study, as well as information about alternatives to court and where you can obtain legal information and legal advice. | ||
====Other Information and Referral Services==== | ====Other Information and Referral Services==== | ||
*BC211 provides information and referral services. Staff can provide information and refer you to the appropriate community, social or government services. Call 211 or 604.875.6381 | *[http://www.bc211.ca/ BC211] provides information and referral services. Staff can provide information and refer you to the appropriate community, social or government services. Call 211 or 604.875.6381, or check their website. | ||
*If you live in the Okanagan area of BC, you can call the Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan at 250.545.8572 | *If you live in the Okanagan area of BC, you can call the [http://www.socialplanning.ca/ Social Planning Council for the North Okanagan] at 250.545.8572. They’ve published a "[http://www.canwehelpyou.ca/ ''Can We Help You?'']" guide to community services that are available primarily in the Okanagan. | ||
*VictimLink BC is a 24-hour phone service for victims of all crimes anywhere in BC. Call 1.800.563.0808 in BC | *[http://www.victimlinkbc.ca/ VictimLink BC] is a 24-hour phone service for victims of all crimes anywhere in BC. Call 1.800.563.0808 in BC. | ||
====Some other Resources for Legal Information==== | ====Some other Resources for Legal Information==== | ||
