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Free and Low-Cost Legal Help (view source)
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]] |date= February 2019}} {{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = help}} | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]] |date= February 2019}} {{Dial-A-Law TOC|expanded = help}} | ||
Options for | Options for free or low-cost legal help include legal aid, pro bono services, legal clinics, and advocates. As well, learn the best sources of legal information for resolving legal problems. | ||
== | ==What you should know== | ||
===Legal aid covers some types of criminal, family, and immigration problems=== | ===Legal aid covers some types of criminal, family, and immigration problems=== | ||
If you have a low income, and are facing some types of criminal, family, or immigration problems, you may be able to get a lawyer for free from '''legal aid'''. Contact | If you have a low income, and are facing some types of criminal, family, or immigration problems, you may be able to get a lawyer for free from '''legal aid'''. Contact Legal Aid BC by visiting [https://legalaid.bc.ca/ legalaid.bc.ca] or calling 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver or toll-free 1-866-577-2525 elsewhere in BC. Their website lists [https://legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/legalAidLocations.php legal aid service locations] across the province. | ||
If you don't qualify for representation by a legal aid lawyer, you may still be eligible for other legal aid services. These include duty counsel and lawyers who provide telephone advice. | If you don't qualify for representation by a legal aid lawyer, you may still be eligible for other legal aid services. These include duty counsel and lawyers who provide telephone advice. | ||
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If you have a low income and are experiencing a family law issue, you may be eligible for free legal advice over the telephone from a family lawyer. '''Family LawLINE''' lawyers give brief "next step" advice about family law issues. Call Legal Services Society at 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver or toll-free 1-866-577-2525 elsewhere in BC. | If you have a low income and are experiencing a family law issue, you may be eligible for free legal advice over the telephone from a family lawyer. '''Family LawLINE''' lawyers give brief "next step" advice about family law issues. Call Legal Services Society at 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver or toll-free 1-866-577-2525 elsewhere in BC. | ||
If you are arrested or detained and in police custody, you can call the '''Brydges Line''' to speak with a lawyer. This is a free 24-hour emergency number for legal advice. Call toll-free 1-866-458-5500. | If you are arrested or detained and in police custody, you can call the '''Brydges Line''' to speak with a lawyer. This is a free 24-hour emergency number for legal advice. Call toll-free 1-866-458-5500. | ||
If you are in police custody awaiting a bail hearing, you can get legal advice over the phone during the evenings and on weekends and holidays. You can reach legal aid’s '''advice counsel lawyers''' by calling toll-free 1-888-595-5677. | If you are in police custody awaiting a bail hearing, you can get legal advice over the phone during the evenings and on weekends and holidays. You can reach legal aid’s '''advice counsel lawyers''' by calling toll-free 1-888-595-5677. | ||
===Justice Access Centres provide free help on a range of problems=== | ===Justice Access Centres provide free help on a range of problems=== | ||
'''Justice Access Centres''' in Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo provide help with family issues and everyday problems such as work, housing or debt problems. The Justice Access Centres offer free mediation services and limited legal advice services. Many of these services are available to everyone. Some services (such as '''family advice lawyers''') are available to those on a low income. For more information, call these numbers: in Vancouver, 604-660-2084; in Victoria, 250-356-7012; and in Nanaimo, 250-741-5447. Or | '''Justice Access Centres''' in Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo provide help with family issues and everyday problems such as work, housing or debt problems. The Justice Access Centres offer free mediation services and limited legal advice services. Many of these services are available to everyone. Some services (such as '''family advice lawyers''') are available to those on a low income. For more information, call these numbers: in Vancouver, 604-660-2084; in Victoria, 250-356-7012; and in Nanaimo, 250-741-5447. Or [http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre/ visit ag.gov.bc.ca/justice-access-centre]. | ||
===With pro bono services, lawyers volunteer to help people of limited means=== | ===With pro bono services, lawyers volunteer to help people of limited means=== | ||
“Pro bono” means “for the public | “Pro bono” means “for the public good." With '''pro bono legal services''', lawyers volunteer to provide free legal advice and assistance to those who can’t afford a lawyer or get legal aid. Through '''Access Pro Bono''', volunteer lawyers provide summary legal advice at a network of legal clinics around British Columbia. Other Access Pro Bono programs provide representation services in limited situations. Call 604-878-7400 in Greater Vancouver or toll-free 1-877-762-6664 from elsewhere in the province, or visit their website at [https://www.accessprobono.ca/get-legal-help accessprobono.ca]. | ||
===Specialized legal assistance for disadvantaged people=== | ===Specialized legal assistance for disadvantaged people=== | ||
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'''Community Legal Assistance Society''' (CLAS) provides legal advice and assistance to people who are disadvantaged or whose human rights need protection. Visit [http://www.clasbc.net/ clasbc.net] or call 604-685-3425 in Vancouver or toll-free 1-888-685-6222. | '''Community Legal Assistance Society''' (CLAS) provides legal advice and assistance to people who are disadvantaged or whose human rights need protection. Visit [http://www.clasbc.net/ clasbc.net] or call 604-685-3425 in Vancouver or toll-free 1-888-685-6222. | ||
'''Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC''' provides culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people in communities across BC. Courtworkers help Indigenous people charged with a crime understand their rights and options, and navigate the court system. For more information, visit [http://www.nccabc.ca/ nccabc.ca] or call toll-free 1-877-811-1190. | '''Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC''' provides culturally appropriate services to Indigenous people in communities across BC. Courtworkers help Indigenous people charged with a crime understand their rights and options, and navigate the court system. For more information, visit [http://www.nccabc.ca/ nccabc.ca] or call toll-free 1-877-811-1190. | ||
The '''Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre''' (TRAC) offers a telephone infoline to help tenants experiencing legal problems. They also provide free representation to tenants at dispute resolution hearings in limited situations. Call 604-255-0546 in Vancouver or toll-free 1-800-665-1185 or visit [http://tenants.bc.ca/ tenants.bc.ca]. | The '''Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre''' (TRAC) offers a telephone infoline to help tenants experiencing legal problems. They also provide free representation to tenants at dispute resolution hearings in limited situations. Call 604-255-0546 in Vancouver or toll-free 1-800-665-1185 or visit [http://tenants.bc.ca/ tenants.bc.ca]. | ||
'''MOSAIC''' provides legal advice and representation to low-income immigrants and refugees. They help newcomers navigate the Canadian legal system. Call 604-254-9626 in Vancouver or visit [https://www.mosaicbc.org mosaicbc.org]. | '''MOSAIC''' provides legal advice and representation to low-income immigrants and refugees. They help newcomers navigate the Canadian legal system. Call 604-254-9626 in Vancouver or visit [https://www.mosaicbc.org/ mosaicbc.org]. | ||
In communities across the province, '''advocates''' provide free support and advocacy to low-income and marginalized people experiencing legal problems. Advocates help with legal problems such as tenancy or work problems, family violence, accessing government benefits, and immigration issues. Advocates work mostly out of community agencies, such as community service centres, churches or women's centres. Advocates are trained to help people assert their rights, including with the paperwork involved. PovNet has a '''Find an Advocate Map''' at [ | In communities across the province, '''advocates''' provide free support and advocacy to low-income and marginalized people experiencing legal problems. Advocates help with legal problems such as tenancy or work problems, family violence, accessing government benefits, and immigration issues. Advocates work mostly out of community agencies, such as community service centres, churches or women's centres. Advocates are trained to help people assert their rights, including with the paperwork involved. PovNet has a '''Find an Advocate Map''' at [https://www.povnet.org/find-an-advocate povnet.org]. '''Clicklaw’s HelpMap''' at [http://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap clicklaw.bc.ca/helpmap] lists dozens of advocates in BC. | ||
===Student legal clinics provide assistance in some communities=== | ===Student legal clinics provide assistance in some communities=== | ||
At '''student legal clinics''' in the Lower Mainland and Victoria, law students can help those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance. The students help with legal problems such as tenancy or work problems, accessing government benefits, (less serious) criminal charges, and small claims cases. In the Lower Mainland, call 604-822-5791 or visit [http://www.lslap.bc.ca/ lslap.bc.ca]. In the Victoria area, call 250-385-1221 or visit [https://www.uvic.ca/law/about/centre/ uvic.ca/law/about/centre]. | At '''student legal clinics''' in the Lower Mainland and Victoria, law students can help those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance. The students help with legal problems such as tenancy or work problems, accessing government benefits, (less serious) criminal charges, and small claims cases. In the Lower Mainland, call 604-822-5791 or visit [http://www.lslap.bc.ca/ lslap.bc.ca]. In the Victoria area, call 250-385-1221 or visit [https://www.uvic.ca/law/about/centre/ uvic.ca/law/about/centre]. | ||
===You can get a low-cost consultation with a private lawyer=== | ===You can get a low-cost consultation with a private lawyer=== | ||
Lawyers across BC participate in the '''Lawyer Referral Service''', which can connect you with a lawyer for a half-hour consultation | Lawyers across BC participate in the '''Lawyer Referral Service''', which can connect you with a lawyer for a free half-hour consultation. The service is operated by Access Pro Bono. Call 604-687-3221 in the Lower Mainland or 1-800-663-1919 toll-free elsewhere in BC, or visit [https://www.accessprobono.ca/our-programs/lawyer-referral-service accessprobono.ca]. After you explain your problem, the service will give you the name of a lawyer who does that type of law in your area of the province. You contact the lawyer to make an appointment. The lawyer will meet with you for a free consultation for up to 30 minutes. The lawyer can provide some initial advice on your options. Then, if you and the lawyer agree, you can hire that lawyer at their regular rates. | ||
More generally, if you want to talk to a lawyer, but are afraid of what it might cost, call the lawyer. Ask what they charge for an initial consultation. Some lawyers don’t charge for the first interview and others charge very little. | More generally, if you want to talk to a lawyer, but are afraid of what it might cost, call the lawyer. Ask what they charge for an initial consultation. Some lawyers don’t charge for the first interview and others charge very little. | ||
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For example, if you’re going to court, you can hire a lawyer to help you prepare documents or to coach you on how to present your case. | For example, if you’re going to court, you can hire a lawyer to help you prepare documents or to coach you on how to present your case. | ||
Unbundling works well for many people and many types of legal matters — but not for all. To learn about unbundled legal services and whether it might be a good fit for your situation, see [ | Unbundling works well for many people and many types of legal matters — but not for all. To learn about unbundled legal services and whether it might be a good fit for your situation, see [https://unbundlinglaw.peopleslawschool.ca/ unbundlinglaw.ca]. | ||
===Top sources of free legal information=== | ===Top sources of free legal information=== | ||
There is a wealth of free legal information available online. Here are some of the best sources for British Columbians. | There is a wealth of free legal information available online. Here are some of the best sources for British Columbians. | ||
'''Clicklaw''' is a website operated by Courthouse Libraries BC to provide access to legal information for the layperson. It covers dozens of topics, and features problem-solving information. Visit [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/ clicklaw.bc.ca]. | '''Clicklaw''' is a website operated by Courthouse Libraries BC to provide access to legal information for the layperson. It covers dozens of topics, and features problem-solving information. Visit [https://www.clicklaw.bc.ca/v clicklaw.bc.ca]. | ||
Courthouse Libraries BC also provides '''Clicklaw Wikibooks''', plain language legal publications that are born-wiki and can also be printed. See [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/ wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca]. | Courthouse Libraries BC also provides '''Clicklaw Wikibooks''', plain language legal publications that are born-wiki and can also be printed. See [http://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/ wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca]. | ||
'''People’s Law School''' is a non-profit society dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. Their website at [https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/ peopleslawschool.ca] provides free education and information to help people deal with the legal problems of daily life. Featured topics include consumer and debt problems, problems at work, and wills and estates. | '''People’s Law School''' is a non-profit society dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. Their website at [https://www.peopleslawschool.ca/ peopleslawschool.ca] provides free education and information to help people deal with the legal problems of daily life. Featured topics include consumer and debt problems, problems at work, and wills and estates. | ||
'''Legal | '''Legal Aid BC''', the legal aid provider in the province, provides free legal information on family law, criminal law, immigration, and Aboriginal legal issues. Their main website [https://legalaid.bc.ca/ legalaid.bc.ca] includes many publications in languages other than English. Their '''Family Law in BC''' website at [https://familylaw.lss.bc.ca/ familylaw.lss.bc.ca] features self-help information for people in family disputes. Information for Aboriginal people is available on their '''Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC''' website at [https://aboriginal.legalaid.bc.ca/ aboriginal.legalaid.bc.ca]. | ||
'''Justice Education Society''' improves the legal capability of people through education programs and resources to strengthen legal knowledge, skills and confidence. Visit [https://www.justiceeducation.ca justiceeducation.ca]. | '''Justice Education Society''' improves the legal capability of people through education programs and resources to strengthen legal knowledge, skills and confidence. Visit [https://www.justiceeducation.ca/ justiceeducation.ca]. | ||
In communities across BC, '''public libraries''' provide access to books and resources about the law aimed at non-lawyers. Librarians can help in finding what you need. Visit [https://newtobc.ca/bc-libraries/ newtobc.ca/bc-libraries] for a map of public libraries across the province. | In communities across BC, '''public libraries''' provide access to books and resources about the law aimed at non-lawyers. Librarians can help in finding what you need. Visit [https://newtobc.ca/bc-libraries/ newtobc.ca/bc-libraries] for a map of public libraries across the province. | ||