Legal Services

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

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.
Last reviewed July 2024
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.
Last reviewed July 2024
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.
Last reviewed July 2024
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.)
Last reviewed July 2024
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.
Last reviewed July 2024
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 the words "British Columbia" and a sun rising behind mountains.

Justice Access Centres

Government of British Columbia
For when you need help with family law issues that affect your everyday life. They can help assess what you need, provide information about your legal and related issues, and refer you to the services that are available for your situation. They offer self-help services, needs assessment, dispute resolution and mediation options, and more.
Last reviewed July 2024