Legal Services

Make an appointment to talk to a professional civil or family mediator and ask questions about mediation generally or about a specific conflict, including child welfare. Mediators can help you determine if mediation is appropriate and discuss timelines, cost, and how to discuss going to mediation with the other party, among other topics.

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.

May provide legal advice, assistance, and representation to eligible clients who live in the Capital Regional District and who can’t afford a lawyer. They help with criminal matters, divorce, support and other family law matters, human rights complaints, and civil disputes. They also help with some hearings before administrative tribunals.

Information, referrals, and help for residential tenancy law matters (renting) in BC. They help with common problems such as tenancy agreement forms, repairs, eviction, quiet enjoyment, security deposits, fixed-term leases, rent increases, termination of services, and dispute resolution.

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.

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.

Provides legal information and resources for people dealing with family law issues. Issues they help with include separation and divorce, guardianship and parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, and more. They help with court forms and preparing for court. They help with both Provincial Court and Supreme Court matters.

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.)

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 offer coaching, help filling out court forms, will accompany you to lawyer appointments or court, and more.

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.