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Logo featuring the outline of a semi circle, coloured turquoise. Inside the semi circle is the word "migrant" in large black letters, and below that are the words "workers centre" in smaller black letters.

Legal advocacy & clinic

Migrant Workers Centre
Pro bono (free) legal advocacy services to caregivers and other migrant workers. They help with immigration, employment issues, labour exploitation, and trafficking and human rights. They cover issues such as recovering lost wages, illegal recruitment fees, employment contracts, EI, immigration status, work permits, and temporary resident visas.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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The logo shows the scales of justice above an open book, with a wreath at either side. Under the book are the letters “LSLAP.” To the right are the words “LAW STUDENTS’” above the words “LEGAL ADVICE PROGRAM.” All these elements are white, and the rectangular background is a dark blue to darker blue gradient.

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)

Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
Free legal advice and representation on issues such as criminal summary offences, civil resolution, small claims, residential tenancy, WorkSafeBC, consumer protection, EI, CPP and Old-Age Pension, wills and estates, and immigration and refugee issues. They may draft certain types of legal documents such as demand letters, wills, and more.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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Logo featuring the letters "bwss" in an italic font, in black, with curved black lines swooping round the upper left and lower right. Below this are the words "BATTERED WOMEN'S" in black, with the word "WOMEN'S" in a bold font. Below this are the words "SUPPORT SERVICES" in black, with the word "SUPPORT" in a bold font.

Justice Centre at BWSS

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS)
A legal clinic for women who have experienced violence. Services are trauma informed and violence informed, culturally responsive, and offered in several languages. Staff, interns, and volunteer lawyers provide legal information, accompany you to court and legal appointments, appeal when legal aid has been denied, and help you prepare documents.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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Logo shows three fish forming a circle in the Pacific coast Indigenous art style, in black, teal, and white. To the right are the words “BC FIRST NATIONS” in black, above the much larger words “JUSTICE COUNCIL” in teal.

Indigenous Justice Centres

BC First Nations Justice Council
The centres provide culturally appropriate information, advice, support, and representation directly to Indigenous people at the community level. While focused primarily on criminal law and child protection issues, they also offer services based on community and cultural needs.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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How do I apply for probate?

As the executor of a will, you may need to apply for probate to distribute the estate. Probate is a legal procedure that confirms the will is legally valid and that you have the authority to act as executor. Be aware that you don’t always have to apply for probate. It depends on the type of assets in the estate. Certain assets can be passed down...
Type
common question
Last reviewed July 2024
Learn more
The logo consists of a shield with the words "Thompson Rivers University" on the right. The shield depicts two rivers running between two hills, with a semi-circle of sun behind the hills.

TRU Community Legal Clinic (TRU CLC)

Thompson Rivers University Faculty of Law
This student-staffed free legal clinic provides legal help and advice to eligible people. They represent clients in areas including residential tenancy, employment standards, small claims, human rights claims, and some criminal charges. They draft legal documents such as simple wills, demand letters, powers of attorney, and more.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Family duty counsel

Legal Aid BC
Lawyers who help people with low incomes deal with their family law issues, including child protection issues if the MCFD is involved, and if you’re going through a separation or divorce. You might qualify for help from family duty counsel in Provincial or Supreme Court even if you don’t qualify for a legal aid lawyer.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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The logo features a stylized infinity symbol, with the female symbol joined to the infinity symbol on the bottom left, and the male symbol joined to the infinity symbol on the top right. The words "Catherine While Holman Wellness Centre" are to the right of the female symbol.

Summary legal advice

Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre
Provides low-barrier wellness services to trans and gender-diverse people. Volunteer lawyers offer summary advice about legal issues you may have — family law, human rights, employment, immigration, etc. (But they can’t take on your case and act for you as your lawyer.) They can also notarize documents, for example for a name or gender change.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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The logo consists of a shield with the text "University of Victoria" below it, and the text "Law" below that. The shield features three red birds at the top, a book with yellow pages in the centre, and alternating blue and white horizontal stripes at the bottom.

Shut-In and Hospital Legal Services

The Law Centre at the University of Victoria
Persons who are hospitalized or who can’t attend the Law Centre in person because of disability or illness may telephone the office for more information. A staff member may arrange to visit them. (The Law Centre staff won’t give legal advice over the telephone.)
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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The logo features a stylized pale purple tree with green leaves over the words, in blue, "Family Services of Greater Victoria."

Separation Resource Services

Family Services of Greater Victoria (formerly BC Families in Transition)
Helps you work out your next steps if you’re pre-separated or recently separated by giving you key information as the first step towards a non-adversarial process in settling your family law matters. They don’t provide legal advice, but for a small fee offer coaching, help filling out court forms & accompany you to lawyer appointments or court.
Type
service
Last reviewed July 2024
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