Legal Aid
Legal Services Societyhttp://www.lss.bc.ca
The main Legal Services Society website provides information about legal aid in British Columbia and on-line resources. LSS appoints a lawyer for people who cannot afford a lawyer and whose legal problems are covered by legal aid rules, which may include criminal charges, mental health and prison issues, serious family problems and immigration problems.
Duty Counsel (Criminal and Immigration)
http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/legal_advice.asp#dutyCounsel
If you cannot get a legal aid lawyer and you are charged with a crime, you may be able to get help from duty counsel. Duty counsel are lawyers paid by LSS to provide legal services to in- and out-of-custody accused people in Provincial Court. Duty counsel can provide advice about charges against you, court procedures, and your legal rights. Duty counsel can represent you at a bail hearing, and, if there is time, help with a guilty plea.
Family Advice Lawyer Project
http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/legal_advice.asp#FamALP
If you are a low-income parent experiencing separation or divorce, you may be eligible for up to three hours of free legal advice from the Family Advice Lawyer Project. You may be able to get help from the project even if you do not qualify for a legal aid lawyer. Project lawyers can provide advice about custody, access, guardianship, child support, property (limited), tentative settlement agreements, and court procedures.
Family Law Website
http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca
A website providing legal information and self-help kits related to family law problems.
LawLINE
Free telephone service that provides general legal information and, in some cases, advice about legal issues for people who can’t afford a lawyer but do not qualify for legal aid. Staffed by lawyers and paralegals. Call 604-408-2172 within the Lower Mainland or toll-free 1-866-577-2424.
LawLINK
http://www.lawlink.bc.ca
A website providing links to public legal information and self-help resources.
Provincial Court Family Duty Counsel
http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/legal_advice.asp#PFDC
If you have a family law issue, you may qualify for help from family duty counsel even if you do not qualify for a legal aid lawyer. Family duty counsel are lawyers paid by LSS to assist people with family law problems or child protection issues (where the Ministry for Children and Families becomes involved with your family). If you do not have your own lawyer, duty counsel can provide advice and speak on your behalf in court on simple matters. Duty counsel may be able to help you even if you do not meet the financial eligibility requirements. You can make an appointment to see family duty counsel in Port Coquitlam, Surrey and Vancouver. Walk-ins are also welcome. At other locations, family duty counsel is a drop-in service. No appointments are made and people are helped on a first-come, first-served basis. The lawyers must first help people who have matters in court that day, but can assist others once they are not needed in court.
Supreme Court Family Duty Counsel
http://www.lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/legal_advice.asp#SFDC
If you are a low-income parent experiencing separation or divorce, you may be eligible for up to three hours of free legal advice from Supreme Court family duty counsel. Duty counsel can provide advice about custody, access, guardianship, and child support, property (limited), tentative settlement agreements and court procedures. Duty counsel can also assist you in Chambers if the matter is simple, unopposed or by consent.