Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Legal Changes of Name

Vital Statistics Agency (Government of BC)
Provides information on how to legally change your name.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the booklet cover illustrated with an Indigenous family of two children, two parents, and two grandparents with trees and stars in the background.

Keeping Aboriginal Kids Safe: Your Family’s Rights

Legal Aid BC
Illustrated booklet that explains the child protection process for Aboriginal children and families. Describes delegated Aboriginal agencies, mediation, the court process, and the Family Extended Program. Has a flow chart of the child protection process.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, with a scenic photograph of a mountainous landscape with a path running through a lush green valley.

JP Boyd on Family Law: Specific Communities and Family Law

John-Paul Boyd, KC
This chapter provides an overview of the ways some laws apply differently to specific communities regarding family law problems. It covers Indigenous families, newcomers to Canada, same-sex relationships, and issues affecting transgender and transsexual people.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the first page, with the title, two columns of text, and the Government of BC logo. It’s illustrated with line drawings of a sun, a leaf, a person, and a house.

Help Starts Here: Information on Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults

Government of British Columbia
Abuse and neglect of older adults takes many different forms: physical, sexual, emotional, and financial. This information sheet is part of the Help Starts Here series and provides information for older adults who have suffered abuse and neglect.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Abuse & Family Violence

Legal Aid BC
Describes the challenges Aboriginal families and communities face when there’s abuse and family violence. Explains types of abuse that are against the law, and where victims can get help and support services. Includes information on who can stay in the family home on reserve.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC

Legal Aid BC
This website is for people who identify as Aboriginal, and the people who help them. Features up-to-date legal information, links to community-based resources, and Aboriginal publications.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Dial-a-Law: Aboriginal Law

People’s Law School
The legal position of Aboriginal people in British Columbia involves an interplay of federal and provincial law, plus treaty and other rights. Learn the basics of Aboriginal law in BC.
Last reviewed March 2024
Thumbnail of the brochure cover with a photo of an older Indigenous man holding a bowl with a smoking bundle of herbs.

Aboriginal Health Advance Care Planning: Respecting Aboriginal Ceremonies and Rites

Government of British Columbia
This brochure tells you about advance care planning from the Aboriginal perspective, why it is important, and what to do with it.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo of the Community Legal Assistance Society, featuring a workmark in black text with a colorful abstract design on the left around another wordmark "CLAS" consisting of blue, green, purple, and orange shapes.

Discrimination & Human Rights: Information for indigenous People (part 3 of 3)

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
The three-video series provide information about the BC Human Rights Code and how it protects Indigenous people in three areas of life: jobs, tenancy, and access to services. It explains human rights complaints and how the BC Human Rights Tribunal works.
Last reviewed March 2024
Logo of the Community Legal Assistance Society, featuring a workmark in black text with a colorful abstract design on the left around another wordmark "CLAS" consisting of blue, green, purple, and orange shapes.

Discrimination & Human Rights: Information for Indigenous People (part 2 of 3)

Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS)
The three-video series provide information about the BC Human Rights Code and how it protects Indigenous people in three areas of life: jobs, tenancy, and access to services. It explains human rights complaints and how the BC Human Rights Tribunal works.
Last reviewed March 2024