Legal Resources

Find websites and materials written in plain language.

Thumbnail of the cover, with the title, photos of people with moving boxes, and adults smiling with children, and the Government of BC logo.

British Columbia Newcomers’ Guide to Resources and Services

WelcomeBC (Government of BC)
Moving to a new country can be challenging. You probably have a number of questions that need to be answered right away. This guide has information on getting a job, finding a place to live, health services, banking, getting a driver’s licence, the legal system, and much more.
Last reviewed December 2024
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 features three overlapping hexagons in yellow, red, and blue, with the organization name to the right.

Solution Explorer: Intimate Images

Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
This free and anonymous tool is for those who’d like to make a claim for an intimate image protection order, damages, and a penalty if someone doesn’t comply with an intimate image protection order. It asks you simple questions and gives you customized legal information and options based on your answers. It also has self-help tools and referrals.
Last reviewed October 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Collecting Unclaimed Court Funds

People’s Law School
You may have received a letter from BC Unclaimed saying that you’re entitled to court funds, or you may have found out about it by looking up your court case. To claim the funds, you need a court order proving that you’re entitled to the funds and that gets BC Unclaimed to pay you. This page will walk you through the steps.
Last reviewed October 2024
Logo with six rectangles and a circle in six bright colours to represent people, and "People's Law School."

Six Steps to Claim Unclaimed Property

People’s Law School
This page explains the steps of making a claim for unclaimed property — the legal term for money held by an organization that the rightful owner hasn’t used for a long time.
Last reviewed October 2024
Emblem featuring a detailed coat of arms with a lion and a unicorn flanking a shield.

Traffic, Ticket, Bylaw

Provincial Court of British Columbia
This section of the BC Provincial Court website has information and guides for dealing with provincial violation tickets, federal contravention tickets, and municipal tickets.
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: Small Claims and the CRT

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on small claims is used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It describes the processes involved in commencing or defending an action, exploring settlement options, getting to trial, and enforcing a judgment. It includes guides to filling out court forms.
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: Public Complaint Procedures

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on administrative law is used by law students handling cases at LSLAP’s legal clinics. It’s an overview of citizens’ rights, including the right to vote, and sets out the legal avenues available to individuals who believe that a government agency has acted improperly.
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: Automobile Insurance (ICBC)

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
This chapter on automobile insurance law is from the manual used by law students handling cases at the LSLAP’s legal clinics. It’s an overview of the legislation, claims for accidents, optional insurance, disputes with ICBC, personal injury claims, and more.
Last reviewed September 2024