As the regulator of the legal profession, the Law Society cannot provide legal assistance or advice to the public. Below are some resources to access if you need assistance.

Public legal information

  • Clicklaw is a comprehensive website of legal information for the public. Operated by Courthouse Libraries BC, Clicklaw brings together the learning materials and educational resources of over 20 legal organizations throughout the province. Clicklaw Wikibooks are collaboratively developed, plain-language legal publications that can be printed. The following wikibooks are currently available:
    • JP Boyd on Family Law from Vancouver lawyer John-Paul Boyd is now updated for the new Family Law Act. Written in plain language, with rollover definitions for legal words and phrases, JP Boyd on Family Law provides practical, in-depth coverage of family law and divorce law in BC.
    • Legal Help for British Columbians, 3rd ed., covers over 40 common legal problems faced by low-income clients in BC. This edition includes new chapters on immigration and mental health. The guide also contains a list of legal agencies that provide information, assistance, advice and representation for low-income clients in BC. 
    • Consumer Law Wikibook from People's Law School describes some of the most common consumer problems faced by British Columbians and in particular by newcomers to the province. It covers problems with a purchase, home repairs, loans, debt, identity theft and scams.
    • A Death in Your Family from People’s Law School covers what to do first when a family member dies, making funeral arrangements and where to find support. 
    • The Tenant Survival Guide Wikibook gives tenants a basic understanding of residential tenancy law in British Columbia.
  • People's Law School provides free and impartial public legal education.
  • Dial-a-Law is a starting point for information on the law in BC in over 130 topic areas. Operated by the People's Law School, the information is available online, as audio recordings and by telephone at 1.800.565.5297 (604.687.4680 in the Lower Mainland).
  • Unbundled Legal Services was launched by the People's Law School to explain unbundling of legal services for the public. The website features a self-assessment to help people decide if unbundling is a good fit for their situation, a directory of lawyers offering unbundled services, and tips for working with a lawyer on an unbundled matter.
  • Legal Aid BC provides legal assistance to BC residents living in poverty and has a number of publications for the public.
  • Family Law in British Columbia is a website operated by Legal Aid BC and dedicated to helping families use the law.
  • The Supreme Court of British Columbia website has information packages designed to assist people who are representing themselves in court.
  • JusticeBC is the provincial government’s web-based gateway for British Columbians who want information about the family and criminal justice systems, and justice reform. 
  • Justice access centres in Nanaimo, Vancouver and Victoria are available to help with family and civil law issues, such as separation or divorce, income security, employment, housing or debt.  
  • The Justice Education Society provides resources to help people access British Columbia’s justice system and resolve their legal matters. Most services are available free of charge and include several websites on the courts, small claims, family law, victim services and more.
  • AdminLawBC is an online help guide for British Columbians navigating the world of administrative law.
  • MyLawBC is a service provided by the Legal Aid BC to help people deal with everyday legal issues, ranging from family breakdown and family violence to preparing wills and powers of attorney. The website's interactive tools tailor the information to the user and produce personalized action plans.
  • Access Pro Bono Society of British Columbia provides free legal services to people and non-profit organizations of limited means throughout BC.
  • Rise Women’s Legal Centre is a full-service storefront legal clinic, provided by West Coast LEAF and the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC, that focuses on providing legal representation to low-income women in the Lower Mainland. Students and lawyers work together to provide women with legal advice on family law and related matters, file documents in court, represent them in their hearings and generally assist women with accessing their legal rights. 
  • BC Centre for Elder Advocacy & Support
  • Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC

Glossary of legal terms

There are many online resources that provide definitions of legal terms, including:

Legal research

Laws, statutes and regulations

Law libraries

Courts and court information

Lawyer directories