The BCCLA does not operate a legal clinic.
We do not offer direct legal assistance, representation, advice, or referrals. If you’re looking for assistance, legal advice, or representation in British Columbia, please see below for a list of organizations and practitioners.
Legal Advice, Representation, and Information
Lawyer Referral (Access ProBono)
Lower Mainland: 604-687-3221
Toll Free: 1 800-663-1919
Facilitates a 30-minute consultation with a lawyer for $25 plus taxes. Inform the lawyer you have gone through Lawyer Referral, keep track of the time, and determine the hourly rate should you extend the consultation.
Legal Aid BC
604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver)
1-866-577-2525 (elsewhere in BC)
Legal Aid provides subsidized legal services, ranging from legal information and advice to legal representation, in the areas of criminal, family and immigration law. Legal aid is limited to criminal charges, mental health or prison issues, serious family problems or serious immigration problems. Applicants must meet financial guidelines to be eligible.
Access Pro-Bono
1-877-762-6664 (toll free)
604-878-7400
Legal help for people who live in British Columbia that are not eligible for government funded legal aid. Financial eligibility criteria is required.
Brydges Line
1-866-458-5500 (call no charge)
Brydes Line is a province-wide toll-free telephone service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide criminal law advice. You can call to speak to a lawyer if you’re: arrested; detained; or under active investigation by the police or another law enforcement agency for a criminal offence, but not yet charged, and in need of emergency legal services.
Indigenous Justice Centres in BC
Phone numbers vary by location. Please refer to the website for direct contact information.
Culturally-appropriate information, advice, support, and representation for Indigenous people. All Indigenous Peoples, regardless of whether they qualify for legal aid, can access free legal and outreach services if they are facing a criminal or child protection issue.
Justice Education Society’s Ask JES Legal Help Services
Justice Education Society’s Ask Jes Legal
For the phone line, text or call 1-855-875-8867
Live chat and website: legalhelpbc.ca/ask-jes
This is a free phone and text line that answers legal questions, and provides information and referrals Monday – Friday 11am-2pm.
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)
Phone: 604-822-1661 (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
The Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) is a non-profit run by law students at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. We provide free legal advice and representation to low-income earners in the Lower Mainland.
Migrant Workers Centre
1 888 669 4482
604-669-4482
[email protected]
MWC provides free (pro bono) legal advocacy services to migrant workers. Appointments and summary legal advice are available over the phone, video conference, or WhatsApp.
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
A community legal centre providing legal navigation services that are responsive to the unique needs of self-identifying women and gender diverse clients, primarily in the area of family law. Rise clients are often caught in the gap between being ineligible for legal aid yet unable to afford legal representation. Rise does not provide legal representation, lawyer referrals or services outside of British Columbia.
Legal Advice, Information, and Representation for Youth under the age of 19
Society for Children and Youth of BC
Society for Children and Youth of BC
Phone: 778-657-5544
Toll Free: 1-877-462-0037
[email protected]
The Child and Youth Legal Centre provides legal support for young people (under the age of 19) who are experiencing problems relating to family law, child protection, a breach of your human rights and many other legal issues.
Human Rights Complaints
Canadian Human Rights Commission
Toll Free: 1 888 214 1090
TTY: 1 888 643 3304
The Canadian Human Rights Commission deals with human rights complaints against the federal government, First Nations governments, or private companies that are regulated by the federal government such as banks, trucking companies, broadcasters and telecommunications companies.
BC Human Rights Clinic
Lower Mainland: 604 622 1100
Toll Free: 1 855 685 6222
The BC Human Rights Clinic assists people across BC with human rights complaints before the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
Lower Mainland: 604 775 2000
Toll Free: 1 888 440 8844
TTY: 604 775-2021
[email protected]
The BC Human Rights Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body that deals with human rights complaints covered by the BC Human Rights Code. Resolution can be done through mediation or in a hearing.
For a complete up to date list of organizations that can support you in the human rights complaint process please refer to the list provided by the BC Human Rights Tribunal.
General Resources
BC 211
Email: [email protected]
Live chat: bc.211.ca/chat
Online database: bc.211.ca/
Website: bc211.ca
211 is a free and confidential service that connects people to helpful and vital resources in their community. Available in 240 languages.
