You are facing a legal problem and you have reached a point where you decide to hire a lawyer. You want to make sure you use their time well, but how do you do that? The Law Society of British Columbia has published a number of helpful guides to assist clients who are seeking legal assistance and generally trying to learn more about lawyers' professional code of conduct.
Access Pro Bono - The mission of Access Pro Bono (APB) is to promote access to justice in British Columbia by providing and fostering quality pro bono legal services for people and non-profit organizations of limited means. APB operates an extensive network of summary legal advice clinics throughout the province, including in Kelowna. APB's volunteer lawyers provide up to a half-hour of free, summary legal advice to low- and modest-income individuals on a wide range of legal issues, including family, immigration, criminal, and civil law (such as debt, employment, welfare, and housing).
Community Legal Assistance Society - The Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) provides free legal assistance to disadvantaged people throughout BC, specializing in the areas of poverty, disability, workers' compensation, employment insurance, mental health, human rights and equality law. Their activities include test case and Charter litigation; service case work and law reform; liaison and consultation with community groups; legal supervision of advocacy groups and law students; publication of legal materials designed to assist self-represented litigants; and legal training and support to lay advocates, community groups, law students, and lawyers doing pro bono work.
when the applicant calls the lawyer to make the appointment, the applicant should advise that the lawyer's name was provided by the Lawyer Referral Service; this is to let the lawyer know that he or she is only to charge this minimal fee. Many lawyers enroll in the Lawyer Referral Service as a public service, and have few expectations with respect to gaining clients. Others find the Service a good source of client referrals. Regardless of your motivation, we encourage you to get involved in this worthwhile CBA program.
If you wish to find a lawyer please use the Lawyer Lookup directory provided by the Law Society of British Columbia. If you wish to make a complaint about a lawyer or have questions about the legal profession, please contact the Law Society of British Columbia. For legal advice, legal information, help with legal documents and procedures, and referral to other resources contact the Law Line at (604) 408-2172 or toll free at 1-866-577-2525.
