Legal Services

Find organizations that provide legal help in BC. Most services are free or low cost.

Logo showing the name "Seniors First BC" in a modern lowercase font in a gradient of blue colors, each letter overlapping the next.

Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL)

Seniors First BC
SAIL is a safe place for older adults to talk to someone about situations where they feel they’re being abused or mistreated. They provide information about elder abuse and the legal rights of older adults to friends, family members, and professionals who are concerned about an older adult.
Last reviewed July 2024
Rise logo with organization name and bird icon

Rise Women’s Legal Centre

Rise Women’s Legal Centre
Provides free or low-cost legal services to self-identified women. Services are provided by upper-year law students, who are supervised by staff lawyers. Rise offers a range of services, from information and summary advice to unbundled legal services, and in some instances representation in court. Make an appointment online, by phone, or by email.
Last reviewed July 2024
The logo features the lower-case word “taps” in a teal colour. Inside the “a” is a clenched fist. The words “TOGETHER AGAINST POVERTY SOCIETY” are on the right, in the same teal colour.

Poverty Law Clinic

Together Against Poverty Society (TAPS)
Provides rights-based information and advocacy services for income assistance, provincial disability benefits, and residential tenancy issues. The clinic also offers free, year-round income tax filling services.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Legal aid navigators

Legal Aid BC
Legal Aid BC staff who guide you through the legal aid process, if you're a legal aid client. They answer questions about legal aid, provide practical support, help with your appointments, communicate with your lawyers, find specialized support services for your needs, and connect you with duty counsel, Family LawLINE, and other community services.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Indigenous community legal workers

Legal Aid BC
Legal Aid BC staff who give legal information and limited legal advice, including about the legal process. They also attend court with you, help you prepare forms and letters, participate in negotiations, talk on your behalf (to MCFD staff, legal aid lawyers, duty counsel, or your band), and give referrals to other services.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo of Nidus with a stylized wordmark with "Nid" in blue and "us" in green, with a small triangle above the letter "i."

In-person help from Nidus

Nidus Registry
Nidus can help you with personal planning. You can contact them on behalf of an adult you’re helping. They have a trained volunteer who helps with education, with forms for making a representation agreement, and with using the Nidus Registry. You need to book ahead for an in-person appointment in South Granville Seniors Centre (in Vancouver).
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with the text "Amici Curiae" in blue and "Friends of Court" in brown forming a circular border around a blue scale of justice in the centre.

Help with preparing for a virtual appearance

Amici Curiae (AC) Friends of Court
AC helps British Columbians prepare for their virtual appearance. Use the online form on their website to make an appointment. The coaching provided includes how to behave during the court session, what to do when emotionally challenged, and other helpful tips. Email legalformsbc@gmail.com.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with the text "Amici Curiae" in blue and "Friends of Court" in brown forming a circular border around a blue scale of justice in the centre.

Help with legal forms

Amici Curiae (AC) Friends of Court
Get help with completing legal forms and court forms in civil and family matters at the Provincial Court of BC, Supreme Court of BC, BC Court of Appeal, federal court, and tribunals. They help with forms for legal issues such as Indigenous rights, animal law, foreclosure, mental health, income assistance, parole, small claims, and immigration.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with "Plan Institute" and three overlapping green circles to the right, and the words “for caring citizenship” below.

Disability Planning Helpline

Plan Institute
Family experts are available on the helpline to answer your questions about the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs, social network building, and more.
Last reviewed July 2024
Logo with two swoops and a circle, to represent a person, and "Legal Aid BC."

Community partners (legal aid community outreach)

Legal Aid BC
These service providers located throughout BC have partnered with Legal Aid BC to improve access to legal aid services in rural, remote, and Aboriginal communities. They help you get free legal information, call legal aid, find your nearest legal aid location, get legal help online, and connect with people who can help.
Last reviewed July 2024