Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Thumbnail of the cover of the PDF version of the guide, featuring a photo of a hand holding a feather with a scenic view of a sunset over a shoreline.

Legal Information for Indigenous People: National Edition

S.H.E.D. Society of Bella Coola
This booklet provides basic, accessible legal information for Indigenous people across the continent who are facing legal issues. It provides a national perspective on topics covered in the BC-specific booklet, including your rights and protections, restorative justice, child protection, prisons, crossing the border, wills and estates, and benefits...
Last reviewed November 2024
Thumbnail of the cover, with the title and a photo of the view from an airplane flying over a lake nestled between snow-capped mountains.

Legal Information for Indigenous People

S.H.E.D. Society of Bella Coola
This booklet provides basic, accessible legal information for Indigenous people facing legal issues. Topics include justice systems, children and families, rights and protections, death and taxes, income security, and class actions. It explains how the laws can vary for people based on their Indigeneity.
Last reviewed November 2024
Logo with the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Parenting after Separation for Indigenous Families (course)

Government of British Columbia
This free online course is for parents and family members who identify as Indigenous or have children who identify as Indigenous. It helps parents and family members make decisions about caring for their children after separation or divorce. Learn about guardianship, parenting arrangements, contact, spousal and child support, and using mediation.
Last reviewed November 2024
Emblem featuring a detailed coat of arms with a lion and a unicorn flanking a shield.

Indigenous Sentencing Courts

Provincial Court of British Columbia
Explains Indigenous Courts including court locations, how they work, and their goals.
Last reviewed September 2024
Logo features a scale of justice and a book with the acronym "LSLAP" in white on a blue gradient background.

LSLAP Manual: Human Rights

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter is used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It’s an overview of legislated human rights, the contexts in which those rights operate, and prohibited grounds of discrimination. The complaints process and available remedies are also addressed.
Last reviewed September 2024
Thumbnail of the handbook cover showing a child walking across a rainbow-toned ground. The Lawyers Against Transphobia logo is placed at the bottom.

Protecting Our Schools: A Handbook to Address Transphobia in Education

Lawyers Against Transphobia
A detailed guide to help school boards, staff, and students fight transphobia in schools. It was created by Lawyers Against Transphobia, a group of about 50 lawyers, teachers, parents, and justice workers, whose goal is to tackle transphobia by working within the legal system and with the media, and responding to transphobic incidents as they...
Last reviewed September 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

First Nations/Indigenous Courts

Legal Aid BC
Explains that if you identify as Aboriginal or Indigenous and you plead guilty to a crime or are found guilty, you might be able to have your bail or sentencing hearing in a First Nations/Indigenous Court in BC. These are criminal sentencing courts that focus on balancing rehabilitation, accountability, and healing.
Last reviewed September 2024
Thumbnail of the first page, with the title, text, and the Government of British Columbia logo.

Sentencing (information sheet)

Government of British Columbia
This fact sheet explains what a judge considers when sentencing in criminal court and the types of sentences can be given. It also talks about pre-sentence reports, victim impact statements, and the sentencing of Indigenous persons.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features a dove in a circle outlined with a chain, with one link broken. The organization name is to the right.

Booklets for Indigenous Prisoners

Prisoners’ Legal Services
Various booklets that explains your rights and the programs available to you as an Indigenous person in federal or provincial custody.
Last reviewed August 2024
Logo features two rainbow-coloured arcs forming a left-pointing arrow, and the organization name.

Know Your Rights: A Toolkit for 2SLGBTQIA+ Folks in Navigating Youth, Healthcare and Criminal Justice Issues

Kamloops Pride
This online toolkit is a compilation of questions and answers around issues affecting 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. The content is divided into sections on criminal justice, health care, youth health care, and youth. The appendixes include definitions, resources, human right complaints, BC Corrections, and forms.
Last reviewed August 2024