Legal system & courts PDFs
Listing publications by subject matter. For a complete list, view all PDFs available.
PDFs by subject

How to Appeal Your Conviction
How to Appeal Your Conviction
Explains how to appeal a conviction for a summary or indictable criminal offence if you don’t have a lawyer

How to Appeal Your Sentence
How to Appeal Your Sentence
Explains how to appeal your sentence if you’ve been convicted of a summary or indictable criminal offence and don’t have a lawyer

If You Can’t Get Legal Aid for Your Criminal Trial
If You Can’t Get Legal Aid for Your Criminal Trial
How to apply for a free lawyer if you’re facing a serious and complicated criminal charge, but can’t get legal aid or afford a lawyer
Crimes & offences, Legal help & lawyers, Legal system & courts

If You’re Charged with a Crime
If You’re Charged with a Crime
Outlines what happens when you’re charged with a criminal offence

Representing Yourself in a Criminal Trial
Representing Yourself in a Criminal Trial
Explains what happens when an accused person wants to plead not guilty to a summary offence

Speaking to the Judge Before You’re Sentenced
Speaking to the Judge Before You’re Sentenced
Describes what a convicted person can say to the judge before the judge decides on a sentence

What Can I Expect if My Lawyer Is Given a Family Standard Contract?
What Can I Expect if My Lawyer Is Given a Family Standard Contract?
What is a family standard contract, and why has my lawyer been given one? A contract includes the instructions that Legal Aid BC (LABC) gives to a lawyer when they start a legal aid case. A family standard contract allows your lawyer to help you under specific circumstances.

When You’re Told to Have “No Contact”
When You’re Told to Have “No Contact”
Explains what it means when the court makes a no contact order against you
Abuse & family violence, Crimes & offences, Legal system & courts