The information we provide on this site explains the law in general and isn’t intended to be used as legal advice for specific legal problems. Because each person’s legal issue is different, it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer. See Where can I get legal advice? to find legal services.
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Legal aid can help you
What is legal aid?
Information
- Help for legal aid clients both in person and by phone
- Legal aid navigators can provide legal education and support for clients
- Online legal information and resources
Advice
- Duty counsel (lawyers) provide family, child protection, immigration or criminal law advice, and can help at some court appearances
Representation
- A lawyer to take your case when you have a serious family, child protection, criminal, immigration or refugee law matter
What help can I get?
It depends on your legal problem and your income.
Family and child protection law matters
- Help for people representing themselves at court
- Legal advice or representation for matters including separation and divorce, parenting time and contact with children, parental responsibilities, financial support, and other family law and child protection problems
- Advice, representation, and support at Parents Legal Centres
- Legal representation and support from the Family Law Centres if you’re experiencing family violence
Criminal law matters
- Advice and assistance from duty counsel (lawyers) virtually or in person at the courthouse
- Advice and representation from duty counsel for bail hearings
- Representation at your court hearing or trial
- Access to a 24-hour phone line for people arrested, detained, or under investigation
Prison law and mental health issues
- Help for some prison law issues and for some people detained due to their mental health
Immigration and refugee matters
- Help with refugee claims and non-refugee applications for people at risk of persecution, torture, or serious undue harm or mistreatment if returned to their country of origin
- Access to our immigration pho
How can I get help?
Call to apply for legal aid
Contact our Call Centre at:
604‑408-2172 (Greater Vancouver)
1-866‑577-2525 (elsewhere in BC)
Services in many languages
- Help from an interpreter (or translator if needed) when you apply for legal aid or when you talk to a lawyer
For more information, visit legalaid.bc.ca