Not sure where to start?
Call 211. BC211 is a multi-lingual service line that can direct you to the various resources from government, health, social and other referral services. http://www.bc211.ca
Information/Resources
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Courthouse Libraries BC
604-660-2841
Various locations across the
Province
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The Courthouse library provides legal research and information to the
members of the public, notaries and lawyers. Please note libraries are only
open to the public during the business hours of the courthouse. After-hour
access is only granted to notaries, lawyers and members of the judiciary.
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The People’s Law School
604-331-5400
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The People’s Law School provides booklets, brochures and other
education materials for educating the public about the laws in BC.
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Clicklaw
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A website operated by the Courthouse Libraries BC, providing general information
on various areas of law.
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Tenant Resource & Advisory
Centre
1-800-665-1185/ 604-255-0546
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The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre provides tenants with legal
education and information about residential tenancy law.
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Nidus Personal Planning
Resource Centre
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The Nidus registry created plain-language guides on personal planning
documents such as a representation agreement, advanced directive, powers of
attorney and more.
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BC Centre for Elder &
Advocacy Support
604-437-1940 / 1-866-437-1940
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BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support provides information on the
legal rights of elderly people, and to bring awareness of elder abuse to the
public.
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Justice Education Society
604-660-9870
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The Justice Education Society primarily provides information about
the judicial and legal system.
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JusticeBC
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The website of JusticeBC is operated by the Ministry of Justice of
BC. The information presented mostly focus on the criminal justice and family
law issues.
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YWCA Legal Educator - Andrea
Vollans
604-734-5517 ext 2235
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The legal educator provides peer support on matters related to income
assistance, housing, and child custody matters.
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Referrals
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Legal Services Society of BC
(Legal Aid)
604-601-6000
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You will find some publication on specific areas of law at the LSSBC
website. Further, if you meet the eligibility requirement, Legal Aid may be
able to assist you with your case.
The interests from trust
account held by BC Notaries and lawyers are automatically forwarded to the Notary
Foundation and Law Foundation, which in turn, provide a grant to fund the Legal Aid services in
British Columbia.
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Access Pro Bono
604-482-3195
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If you meet the eligibility requirement for Access Pro Bono, you may
get specific legal assistance from notaries or lawyers who volunteer their
time to provide pro bono (free)
services to the community.
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Community Legal Assistance
Society
604-685-3425/ 1-888-685-6222
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CLAS specializes in providing legal services in selective areas of
the law such as human rights and housing matters.
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Legal Advocacy – MOSAIC
604-254-9626
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MOSAIC Legal Advocacy provides low income immigrants and refugees on
immigration and poverty law matters.
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Canadian Bar Association -
Lawyer Referral Service
604-687-3221/1-800-663-1919
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If you require the assistance of a lawyer, but do not know one, you
may consider using the CBA Lawyer Referral Service. For a small fee, you can
get a 30 minutes phone consultation.
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UBC Law Students' Legal Advice
Program
604-822-5791
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If you are a low income earner requiring legal advice, but am not
able to retain a lawyer for service, you may try the LSLAP referral process.
Law students at UBC can provide guidance to your legal issues. There is also
a manual published by LSLAP that provides in-depth information on various
branches of the law.
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Office of the British Columbia
Ombudsperson
1-800-567-3247
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The Ombudsperson investigates complaints made by the public against a
public or government agency for unfair treatments. The Ombudsperson has
jurisdiction over Crown Corporations such as ICBC and BC Hydro, government
ministries and agencies, hospitals, school districts, universities and colleges, local governments,
Translink and the Land Title and Survey Authority.
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Office of the Police Complaint
Commissioner
1-877-999-8707
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The Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner (OPCC) is provides
impartial civilian oversight of complaints against police officers in BC, except for members of the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police (RCMP).
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Commission for Public
Complaints Against the RCMP
1-800-665-6878
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The Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP is responsible
for providing civilian oversight of complaints made against a member of the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
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Regulatory Agencies
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Society of Notaries Public
of British Columbia
1-800-663-0343
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The Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia (SNPBC)
Is the self-regulating regulatory body for Notaries Public In British
Columbia. Complaints or concerns can be addressed to them.
Note: The
Society cannot insist on notaries to provide service, continue to act, or
withdraw their service. This is a matter of professional judgement, and is up
to each notary to make his or her own decisions.
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Law Society of British
Columbia
1-800-903-5300
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The Law Society (LSBC) is the self-regulating regulatory body for
lawyers In British Columbia. Complaints or concerns can be addressed to them.
Note: The
Society cannot insist on lawyers to provide service, continue to act, or
withdraw their service. This is a matter of professional judgement, and is up
to each lawyer to make his or her own decisions.
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Real Estate Council of British
Columbia
1-877-683-9664
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The Real Estate Council of British Columbia (RECBC) is responsible
for the licensing of real estate agents/firms, and those involved in the
rental and strata property management. The Council has the power to
discipline members if they are found to have contravened the rules and laws
governing those entities.
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Financial Institutions Commission
604-660-3555
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The Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM) is responsible for
regulation of mortgage brokers, sub-brokers and firms, matters relating to
strata developments, financial institutions (i.e. credit unions), and pension
plans under provincial jurisdiction.
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Insurance Council of British
Columbia
1-877-688-0321
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The Insurance Council of British Columbia is responsible for the
licensing of insurance agents, salesperson, adjusters and firms in BC.
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Judicial Council of British
Columbia
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The Judicial Council of British Columbia is responsible for the
screening and handling of complaints against provincial court judges and
justices of the peace. Complaints against a superior court justice should be
directed to the Canadian Judicial Council.
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Canadian Judicial Council
613-288-1566
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The Canadian Judicial Council is responsible for handling complaints
against federally appointed judges (i.e. judges from the BC Supreme Court and
Court of Appeal, as well as Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Court
Martial Appeal Court of Canada, Tax Court of Canada and the Supreme Court of
Canada).
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Consumer Protection BC
1-888-564-9963
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Consumer Protection BC is responsible for the enforcement of consumer
protection laws in BC. Specifically, they regulate the debt collection,
travel agencies, payday loans, cemetery and funeral services, home
inspectors, credit reporting agencies, consumer contracts and gift cards
under provincial jurisdictions.
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Financial Consumer Agency of
Canada
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The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is responsible for
enforcing consumer protection laws with respect to the federally regulated
financial institutions (i.e. banks), and various voluntary codes with the
financial industry.
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Residential Tenancy Branch
1-800-665-8779
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The Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) promotes the understanding of
tenants and landlord rights under the laws of BC. If the tenant and landlord
cannot reach an agreement over an dispute, the RTB may hold a dispute
resolution hearing to settle the dispute with an arbitrators.
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