Specialized Legal Advice and Advocacy
Battered Women’s Support Services
http://www.bwss.org/
Provides counselling and advocacy for women survivors of violence in relationships. Also provides education and training on violence against women and related issues. Call 604-687-1867.
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
http://www.bccpd.bc.ca/s/Home.asp
A provincial umbrella group representing all people with disabilities. The Advocacy Access program provides group and individual advocacy, information and referrals. Advocates assist people with disabilities in applying for BC disability benefits and Canada Pension Plan disability benefits. Advocates also work with clients on appeals, tribunal appearances, and other disability-related issues. Call 604-872-1278 or toll-free 1-800-663-1278.
BC Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors (BC CEAS)
http://www.bcceas.ca
An advocacy project providing legal information, referral and advocacy to seniors, community agencies and organizations, government departments, Community Response Networks, victim services organizations, and others throughout the province. Call 604-437-1940 or toll free 1-866-437-1940.
BC Human Rights Coalition
http://www.bchrcoalition.org/
Specialized clinic providing services and public legal education on legal rights under the BC Human Rights Code. Advocates provide information, education, and run a clinic program in partnership with the Community Legal Assistance Society. Client services include initial and summary advice respecting human rights issues, assistance in pursuing complaints, and representation of complainants. Call 604-689-8474 or toll-free 1-877-689-8474.
Community Legal Assistance Society
http://www2.povnet.org/clas
Provides legal assistance to those with low income or physical or mental disabilities. Lawyers focus on Charter of Rights litigation, test cases and law reform work. Legal assistance to individuals is provided by the Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP). Call 604-685-3425 or toll-free 1-888-685-6222.
Downtown Eastside Residents Association
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/dera/index.htm
Advocates provide housing, advocacy, and community support programs and services. They also assist neighbourhood residents with welfare rights issues, pensions, Employment Insurance issues, and income tax preparation. Call 604-682-0931.
Lawyer Referral Service
http://www.cba.org/BC/initiatives/main/lawyer_referral.aspx
A service of the Canadian Bar Association – BC Branch providing consultation with a lawyer practicing in a particular field of law to determine if you have a legal problem. Up to 30 minutes for a fee of $25 plus taxes. If you wish to hire the lawyer, you will have to pay the lawyer’s regular rate. Call 604-687-3221, or toll-free 1-800-663-1919.
Legal Services Society Community Advocate Support Line ("CASL")
The Legal Services Society hs created the CASL project to be operated through LawLINE. CASL is a new, dedicated telephone support line that is staffed full-time by a lawyer who is available to provide brief legal advice and legal information to BC advocates in relation to certain client files that the advocate is handling. Advocates can contact CASL at 604-601-6074 from the Lower Mainland, and toll-free within BC at 1-877-601-6066 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. (Note this service is not available to the general public.)
MOSAIC
http://www.mosaicbc.com
Paralegals and advocates assist immigrants and refugees with settlement and integration. Paralegals provide summary legal advice, legal representation, and referrals to immigrants and refugees, concerning a variety of issues such as immigration, family, welfare, housing and employment. Call 604-254-9626.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, BC Division – Volunteer Legal Advocacy Program
http://www.mssociety.ca/bc/vlap.htm
An advocacy program dealing with a range of legal issues, from obtaining disability benefits to redressing discrimination in employment. The program features pro bono lawyers who provide services ranging from summary legal advice to representation. Call 604-689-3144 or toll-free 1-800-268-7582.
Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC
http://www.nccabc.ca/
Courtworkers and counsellors facilitate and enhance access to justice by assisting Aboriginal people involved in the criminal justice system to obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally sensitive treatment. Call 604-985-5355.
North Shore Women’s Centre
http://www.northshorewomen.ca/
Female lawyers provide monthly one-hour confidential legal advice sessions for North Shore women unable to afford a lawyer. Call 604-984-6009.
Pro Bono Students’ Canada at UBC
http://faculty.law.ubc.ca/probono
UBC Law organization matches volunteer law students with public interest organizations, government agencies, legal clinics and lawyers, in order to engage in law-related research projects.
Rape Crisis Line (Women Against Violence Against Women)
http://www.wavaw.ca/
24-hour crisis line offering court accompaniment, information, support, counseling and referrals to women who have experienced sexual violence. Call 604-255-6344 or toll-free 1-877-392-7583.
Richmond Women’s Resource Centre
http://www.richmondwomenscentre.bc.ca/
Provides information and help to women on domestic, welfare and tenancy issues. Call 604-279-7060.
Shelternet: for abused women
http://www.shelternet.ca/en/index.cfm
A website that directs abused women to the closest safe haven in their area. The site features a map of Canada on which a women can click to find a place of refuge. Clickable buttons include “Find a Shelter”, “Make a Safety Plan”, “Just for Kids”.
Storefront Orientation Services
Staff assist refugee claimants and refugees by processing immigration applications, interpreting, making referrals to legal aid and social services, and providing settlement information and referral. Call 604-253-8859.
Tenants Rights Action Coalition
http://www.tenants.bc.ca/
Staff and volunteers operate free tenant hotline and provide free information on tenant rights, including the Tenant Survival Guide and fact sheets. Call 604-255-0546, or toll-free 1-800-665-1185.
UBC First Nations Legal Clinic
UBC Law students provide free legal advice and representation to people of Aboriginal descent. Call 604-687-0285.
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter
http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/
24-hour rape crisis line and transition house for battered women and their children. Services include emotional support, peer counselling, support groups, advocacy, information and referral, legal clinic, and medical and legal accompaniment. Also operates a public education program and speakers bureau. Call 604-872-8212 or TDD 604-877-0958.