Guide to Free Legal Services in Prince George
There are a variety of free (or nearly free) legal resources available to
residents of Prince George
Legal Aid
Internet Legal Resources
Books & Printed Materials
By Phone
In Person
Family Law
Criminal Law
Landlord & Tenant Law
Litigation (suing or being sued)
Legal Aid - Legal Services Society (“LSS”)
Prince George Regional Centre
302 - 1488 Fourth Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2L 4Y2
(250) 564-9717
Legal
Services Society: What is legal aid?
LSS will pay for a lawyer to handle your legal problem. Legal Aid is only
available for specific types of legal problems (usually criminal, family and
immigration cases) and only covers a minimum level of legal service. Asset
and income restrictions apply.
Note: LSS is an independent non-profit society funded by the Province of
British Columbia. LSS administers Legal Aid and is responsible for many of
the other legal resources listed below.
LawLINK - LSS
www.lawlink.bc.ca
This website provides a wealth of legal information on a variety of topics.
It is the best place to start researching your legal problem online.
Electronic Law Library - LSS
www.bcpl.gov.bc.ca/ell
This is like a search engine for British Columbia government and legal
information.
Online Publications - LSS
Legal
Services Society: Publications
The Legal Services Society publishes brochures on a variety of topics. They
are available online or in print form at the Prince George Courthouse.
Dial-A-Law-Online - Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch
www.cba.org/BC/Public_Media/dal/default.aspx
Dial-A-Law is a library of legal information on various topics (also
available by phone at 1-800-565-5297).
People's Law School – The Public Legal Education Society
www.publiclegaled.bc.ca
This website has some online brochures on a variety of legal topics. Check
the “Publications” section and the “Newspaper Articles” section as well.
They also organize and sponsor a variety of free legal lectures, but mostly
in the Vancouver area.
Professional Legal Training Course Materials - Law Society of British
Columbia
The Law Society of BC
All lawyers must write bar exams before becoming a lawyer. The Law Society
of British Columbia publishes study materials for each major area of law.
They are a good way to learn about the law. They are available online and in
print at the Prince George Courthouse Library.
UBC Legal Clinic Manual
Law
Students' Legal Advice Program
The Law School at the University of British Columbia offers a legal clinic.
They have created a law manual for the law students who are working in the
clinic. The manual is available online for self-help.
Prince George Courthouse Library
250 George Street, Prince George BC, V2L 5S2
(250) 614-2763
www.bccls.bc.ca
The Prince George Courthouse Library has everything a lawyer needs to solve
legal problems. It is located on the 4th floor of the courthouse (you need
to take the elevator). It is open to the public and is staffed by a very
helpful librarian. A lot of the books are written for the layperson. Check
out the Professional Legal Training Course materials (see above) and CLE
Practice Manuals.
Publications - LSS
250 George Street, Prince George BC, V2L 5S2
Legal
Services Society: Publications
The Legal Services Society publishes brochures on a variety of topics, they
are available online or in print form at the Prince George Courthouse.
LawLINE – LSS
1-866-577-2525
Legal
Services Society: LawLINE
LawLINE, a legal aid service, is a toll-free hotline for people in BC. It
helps with most legal issues such as family law problems, criminal, debt,
housing, welfare, or contract/consumer matters. It provides: (1) information
about print and website materials and resources that can help you resolve
your legal problem; (2) referrals to other services if another LSS program
or another agency could help you resolve your legal problem; and (3) legal
advice that may include written opinions and advice, correspondence, help
writing documents, and contact with third parties, but does not include
being represented in court or other hearings. You may be on hold for a long
time before talking to someone who can help you, but the service is worth
the wait.
Dial-A-Law – Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch
1-800-565-5297
Dial-A-Law is a library of legal information that is available as recorded
scripts by phone (also available in writing at
www.cba.org/BC/Public_Media/dal/default.aspx).
Lawyer Referral Service – Canadian Bar Association - BC Branch
1-800-663-1919
This service gives you an opportunity to have a 30 minute appointment with a
lawyer to discuss your legal problem. You start by calling the Lawyer
Referral Service to get the name of a lawyer who has experience with your
type of problem. You then call the lawyer directly to schedule your
appointment. The cost of the appointment will be $25 plus tax. Note: This
service is offered by lawyers to try to obtain clients, not as a charitable
service. However, the lawyer should be able to give you some advice about
your problem and an estimate of what it would cost to hire the lawyer to
assist you further, if necessary.
Free Legal Clinic - Prince George Native Friendship Centre (open to
everyone)
1600 Third Avenue, Prince George, BC, V2L 3G6
(250) 564-3568
www.pgnfc.com
They will arrange a 30 minute session with a lawyer to discuss you legal
issue. Usually takes about a week to schedule an appointment.
Free Legal Clinic - The Salvation Army
(604) 296-3816
www.probono.ca
This organization has previously operated a legal clinic in Prince George
and plans to do so again in the future. You can find out if one is operating
by visiting their website or calling their Burnaby number.
Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC
(250) 562-9513
www.nccabc.ca
Provides assistance to aboriginal people in conflict with the law and
ensures they participate fully in the justice system through a holistic
approach to prevention and intervention.
Family Law Website – LSS
www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca
This website includes self-help materials to help people resolve family law
problems, current family law information and resources, and links to useful
related sites.
LawLINE - LSS - see info above
1-866-577-2525
Family Duty Counsel – LSS
Prince George Courthouse
250 George Street, Prince George, BC, V2L 5S2
drop in service
Supreme Court - Monday (9-4), Wednesday (9-12) & Friday (1-4)
Provincial Court - Thursday (9-12)
Family duty counsel are lawyers paid by LSS to assist people with family law
problems or child protection issues (where the Ministry of Children and
Family Development becomes involved with your family). You may be eligible
for help from family duty counsel even if you do not qualify for legal aid.
Family Justice Resource Centre – BC Attorney General
http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/family-justice/index.htm
This web site provides general information about a number of issues of
interest to BC couples who have separated or who are about to separate. It
may also be useful for guardians and other family members, such as
grandparents, who may be involved in making important decisions about the
family and its future.
LawLINK - Criminal – LSS - see info above
LawLINK -
Crime
Publications - Criminal - LSS - see info above
Legal Services Society: Publications by subject - Criminal law
LawLINE - LSS - see info above
1-866-577-2525
Brydges Line – LSS
1-866-458-3300
If you are being investigated for a crime, or have been arrested or
detained, you can get 24-hour access to emergency legal advice by phoning
the "Brydges Line" .
Criminal Duty Counsel
Prince George Courthouse
250 George Street, Prince George, BC
drop in service - Monday - Friday
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
you with advice about the charges against you, court procedures, and your
legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for
legal aid). Duty counsel can also represent you at a bail hearing, and, if
there is time, help with a guilty plea. While you do not have to be
financially eligible for legal aid to receive duty counsel services, you
must meet LSS coverage and eligibility requirements to get a referral for
ongoing representation.
Residential Tenancy Office
1-800-665-8779
www.rto.gov.bc.ca
Residential tenants have strong rights in British Columbia. Your rights as
tenants are set out in the Residential Tenancy Act and are administered by
the Residential Tenancy Office (a department of the British Columbia
government). Note that university residences are excluded from this law and
there is no office in Prince George (forms and guides are available online
and at the BC Access Centre 1044 - 5th Avenue, Prince George, BC).
Small Claims (Provincial Court)
Small claims court is a court of law, but it's not designed for lawyers.
It's meant to be a "do-it-yourself" kind of court, where ordinary people can
handle their own cases, whichever side they're on. Small claims court is a
place where people can go to settle their differences in cases worth
anywhere up to $25,000.
Court Services - BC Attorney General
www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/civil/smallclaims
This website gives you complete do-it-yourself information about Small
Claims Court.
British Columbia Supreme Court
The British Columbia Supreme Court is our main trial court. All disputes are
heard by this court other than small claims disputes and some family and
criminal matters.
Law Courts Education Society
www.lawcourtsed.ca
This website has information about the British Columbia Supreme Court. For
information on suing or being sued in Supreme Court, click on Civil
Litigation under self-help on the home page.
(Revised November 2005) |
