The law is part of your daily life and lawyers are trained to guide you through the legal process. A lawyer can help you buy a home, write a will or run a business. A lawyer can also help you if you have an accident, if you and your spouse separate or if you have to go to court.

Personal recommendations

There are several ways to find the lawyer who is right for you. A good starting point is to ask friends, relatives and co-workers for a referral. Other professional people that you already consult, such as doctors, dentists or accountants, may also be able to refer you to a lawyer.

Many lawyers now advertise their services or have websites that provide information about their background, experience and areas of practice. Unlike doctors, lawyers in BC are not certified as specialists in any particular field. Many lawyers do, however, restrict their practices to specific areas of law.

If you are a member of a club, society or other organization, there may be a lawyer who regularly assists the members of the organization. Social service agencies, counselling services or advocacy organizations may also be able to recommend a lawyer.

Lawyer Referral Service

Another option is the Lawyer Referral Service run by the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. This service will give you the name of a lawyer near you who has requested referrals. You can arrange a half-hour interview for $25 plus tax. Call (604) 687-3221 or 1-800-663-1919. More information is also available on the BC Branch website at www.cba.org/bc.

Members of the public should exercise caution when seeking referrals from lawyer referral services or lawyer directory websites that are not sponsored by the Canadian Bar Association or a provincial law society. The Law Society has received a report of an on-line lawyer referral website that was charging a fee for referrals but not providing appropriate services.

The Law Society Lawyer Look-up allows you to search by name for a current member of the Law Society. The service provides a lawyer's name, business address, telephone number, call date and current practising status.

In BC, the legal aid program is run by the Legal Services Society — an independent, non-profit organization that provides legal help for people in BC. If you have a legal problem but can't afford a lawyer, you may qualify for legal aid.

For more information on BC's legal aid program, the types of legal issues covered and the financial eligibility requirements, visit the Legal Services Society's website at: www.lss.bc.ca.