Legal Help

Domestic Violence is any form of violent or abusive behaviour that happens during a relationship (including married, common law, or dating) or after a relationship ends. It is not just limited to physical or sexual violence and may also include intimidation, hurting or threatening to hurt pets, mental or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, threats, stalking and harassment.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Police decide whether or not to make an arrest when they are called to investigate a situation involving domestic violence. They have the authority to detain and hold individuals. 

If you or your family is in danger, you can apply for a protection order. A protection order is a court order made by a judge to help protect one person from another. You can apply for a protection order through criminal court (Peace Bond – which can be made against anyone, even if you have only dated) or through family court (Family Law Protection Order - which can be made against family members) or both. For more information, see “How do I get a protection order?” on this website.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, you can learn more about your options from the BC Government publication Help Starts Here or through VictimLinkBC.

Sexual assault includes all unwanted sexual activity, from unwanted sexual touching to rape, it also includes the threat of sexual contact and sexual activity with people unable to consent such as those under the age of consent or are unconscious. It can involve situations where agreement to sexual activity is obtained through coercion or by someone abusing a position of trust, power and authority. Sexual assault is a crime.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. 

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, you can learn more about your options from the BC Government publication Help Starts Here or through VictimLinkBC. VictimLinkBC can provide information about safe houses, outreach services, counselling, the criminal justice process and more.

A Victim Impact Statement describes how a crime has affected you. This may be a written statement or other form of information given to police, Crown counsel or the court.

A Victim Impact Statement can be written by you or some close to you. It will be used in sentencing if the accused is found guilty or pleads guilty. It should describe how the crime affected you and others close to you.

The BC government provides a victim impact statement guide and form in several languages.

In BC, you can access free or low-cost legal help through a variety of services. 

Start with this website. LegalHelpBC provides answers to common legal questions in British Columbia.

Need personalized help?
Ask JES responds to public inquiries by trained Legal Navigators. To access this free service, call, chat live or text your question using the information in the green column on the right. 

• Ask JES provides legal help information and referrals 
• Get legal help to take the next step to move forward with your legal issue
• Each year, Ask JES provides free answers to thousands of legal questions

Ask JES is live on weekdays from 11am to 2pm. During offline hours, leave your email address to receive an answer by email.

You can also access free or low-cost legal help through these BC services:

• Legal Aid BC: Provides lawyers in some criminal, family, and immigration cases if you meet financial eligibility.
• Access Pro Bono: Offers free legal advice clinics on many issues as well as assistance through their Everyone Legal Clinic.
• People’s Law School: Provides plain language information online and an AI-powered chat service.
• Courthouse Libraries: Have informed staff who can answer questions and help with legal research. They also publish Clicklaw, which provides legal information on a range of topics.
• Community Legal Assistance Society: Provides free assistance to modest-income British Columbians facing certain types of legal issues, including eviction, human rights complaints, and work-related issues.
• Legal advocates: Provide free support, advocacy and information to people who are on a low income or marginalized and are experiencing legal problems.
• Indigenous Justice Centres: Provide culturally-appropriate information, advice, support and representation for Indigenous people. 

Legal Help Tips

• Many courthouses have duty counsel lawyers who give free, short-term legal advice for criminal and family law cases. These services are designed to provide representation for people who need immediate assistance and cannot afford a full legal representation.
• If you are searching for legal help online, be sure to include “BC” in your keyword search.
• A great online resource for all legal issues is Clicklaw BC.
• If you have a legal problem, it is a good idea to talk to a lawyer to get legal advice. Even if you are going to handle your own case, a lawyer can help you at every step in the legal process. See the answer for “How do I find a lawyer or legal clinic near me?” to learn about services provided by Legal Aid BC, Access Pro Bono and BC Advocates.

The Criminal Code of Canada is the federal legislation that has codified the criminal law in Canada. It is divided into sections with different crimes. In addition to the Criminal Code, the common law, which are the decisions made by judges, also informs us about what is a crime as the judges must interpret the Criminal Code and apply it to different situations. You can search criminal cases on CanLII – a site that publishes court judgments and many tribunals from across Canada.

To qualify for Legal Aid in BC, you must have a low income and your legal issue must fall into an area they cover:

• Serious criminal charges
• Family law involving safety or children
• Refugee and immigration matters
• Mental health or prison law issues

Legal Aid BC uses financial eligibility guidelines based on your income, family size, and assets. You can apply online, by phone, or in person at a Legal Aid office. If accepted, Legal Aid will assign a lawyer to your case. More information is available at Legal Aid BC.

There are two types of protection orders: family law protection orders and peace bonds.

A family law protection order is made under the Family Law Act and you can ask for one in the Provincial Court or the Supreme Court. It is only to protect you from family members. Someone you dated might not count as a family member. You should consider speaking to a lawyer if you are seeking a family law protection order. Legal Aid BC created a guide for how to apply for a family law protection order. You might also qualify for a free lawyer through Legal Aid who could assist you in making an application for a protection order.

A peace bond is a protection order made under s. 810 of the Criminal Code of Canada. It does not create a criminal record. Contact your local police to ask for one. A peace bond can be against anyone including someone you dated. You do not need a lawyer as Crown counsel (a government lawyer) will make the application for you in criminal court.

Police are responsible for helping to keep our communities safe and they may require your assistance to do that. In most cases, if you are stopped and questioned by the police, you do not have to answer their questions, but it is a good idea to be polite. You do not have to tell them your name nor provide identification, if you were not driving when you were stopped. You have the right to remain silent.

When talking to police, the key point is do they suspect you of committing a crime. If you are suspected of a crime, police have more rights, but you always have the right to remain silent. If you are not suspected of a crime and you are not driving, then your participation in the exchange is voluntary. You are free to go. If police choose to detain you, they must provide a reason for suspecting you of a crime.

If you are riding a bike and the police think you have broken a traffic law, then you must give them your name and address. If you refuse, they can arrest you. If you are in a car and the police flash their lights, you must safely pull over to the right side of the road. You will need to tell the police your name and address; say whose car it is; and, show your driver’s licence, registration and insurance papers. Do not offer the police money – it is a serious crime to bribe a police officer.

If the police come to your house and ask to enter, you do not have to give your consent. Police have the right to enter your home without your consent when:

• They have a warrant (from a judge allowing them to enter)
• They are chasing someone and they think that person is in your house
• They have a reason to believe that someone in the home is in danger
• They think there is a serious crime happening in your home

If you are being arrested by the police, the police officer must state their name and why they are arresting you. You have a right to a lawyer and do not have to answer any questions the police officer asks you. In fact, it is in your interests not to answer police questions. The police officer has to let you call a lawyer right away. If you want to speak to your lawyer in private, the police officer has to let you. Within 24 hours, the police have to take you to court or let you go.

You can search for a lawyer through the Law Society of BC’s Lawyer Directory.

BC Lawyer Referral Service

You can receive 15 minutes of free consultation with a lawyer by following these steps:

1. Call the BC Lawyer Referral Service telephone line at 604-687-3221 from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
2. Briefly explain your legal problem to get the name and contact information of a suitable lawyer to help you.
3. Get 15 minutes of free consultation to determine your legal needs and how you can serve them. 
4. If you want more help from the lawyer, you must pay their fee. Only 15 minutes is free consultation.

Everyone Legal Clinic

You can also receive low-cost representation services through an online referral to a supervised articling clinician at Everyone Legal Clinic if you:

1. Have a family, tenancy, employment, wills/estates, civil, corporate, consumer or criminal law issue
2. Have the ability to pay for the fixed-fee after an initial meeting
3. Are willing to work with the clinician by telephone or videoconference
4. Can communicate in English

If you meet all of the above criteria, call 778-200-4478 to schedule an initial meeting with a clinician (up to 30 minutes) by videoconference or telephone. Articling clinicians work under the supervision of practising lawyers, and provide legal services on a lower-cost, fixed-fee basis.

If you are charged with a crime, you should remain silent and talk a lawyer. If you do not have a lawyer, ask for a lawyer who can provide you with legal advice and explain your rights to you. Legal Aid BC provides lawyers for people who have been charged with a crime. You can contact Legal Aid to inquire about getting a lawyer to represent you.

The illustration below illustrates the legal process your case will follow. After being charged, you will have the chance to enter a plea: guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, it is the role of BC Crown Counsel to prosecute the crime and present their case at a trial. If you are found not guilty at trial, you are free to go. If you plead guilty or are found guilty by a trial, the judge will decide your criminal sentence.

Meeting with a lawyer can feel overwhelming, but preparing ahead of time will help you make the most of your consultation.

Start by writing down the main points of your legal problem.

• What happened (a short summary of the situation).
• When it happened (important dates or deadlines).
• Who was involved (people, organizations, or agencies).

Bring any papers that relate to your issue, such as contracts, letters, emails, or court documents. Organize them so the lawyer can easily follow your story.

Think about your goals before the meeting. Are you looking for legal advice, wanting to know your rights, or needing help to start or respond to a court case?

Having clear questions written down ensures you don’t forget what matters most during your appointment.

It also helps to bring a notepad so you can take notes. Legal information can be complex, and you may want to review the lawyer’s answers later.

If you don’t understand something, ask the lawyer to explain it in plain language.

Finally, be honest. Lawyers need accurate information to give you reliable advice. Even details that feel embarrassing or unimportant might matter legally.

Good preparation saves time, reduces costs, and helps your lawyer understand how best to support you.

To get legal advice, see "How do I find a BC lawyer or legal clinic near me?"

If a person is 12 to 17 years old and is charged with a crime, the Youth Criminal Justice Act applies. The YCJA is a Canadian law that guarantees the rights of young people in the criminal justice system. You can read more on the YCJA website.

The law applies to youth between the ages of 12 and 17. A child under the age of 12 cannot be charged with a crime. At age 18, a person is considered to be an adult and will go to trial in adult court.

You have a right to have a lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, a Legal Aid lawyer will be provided to you. Remain silent until you speak to a lawyer. Ask for a lawyer as soon as possible and speak to your lawyer at every step in the criminal process. If a youth goes to court without a lawyer, a duty counsel (lawyer paid by the government) will be there to help.

When a youth is arrested or held at the police station for questioning, the police must tell the youth’s parents about the arrest. The parents are also told about the youth’s right to have a lawyer.

Legal Aid BC provides lawyers for people who have been charged criminal. You can contact Legal Aid to inquire about getting a lawyer to represent you.

You are not required to have a lawyer to go to court in BC. Many people represent themselves, especially in small claims, family, or tribunal matters.

Having a lawyer can make the process easier and improve your chances of success, particularly in complex cases. See "How can I get free or low cost legal help?" and "How do I find a BC lawyer or legal clinic near me?". 

The Justice Education Society (JES) publishes a series Online Help Guides. 

• SmallClaimsBC.ca
• SupremeCourtBC.ca 
• CourtofAppealBC.ca
• FamilyLawinBC.ca
• AdminLawBC.ca

You can also use Ask JES to get answers to your legal questions.

You can still get help.

On this website, you can use Ask JES to get answers to your legal questions.

• The BC Legal Referral Service offers a free 15 and 30 minute consultation with a lawyer or notary.  
• The Everyone Legal Clinic provides lower-cost, fixed-fee services.
• BC Advocates provide legal help assistance and in some cases representation for income qualified clients on a range of legal issues.
• Staff at Courthouse Libraries BC provide free assistance to the public and BC Justice Access Centres can provide information about court forms and processes.

See “How can I get free or low cost legal help?” and "How do I find a BC lawyer or legal clinic near me?".

In BC, there are a range of services to help you with legal forms and documents.

• Amici Curiae Friends of Court provides trained volunteers and paralegals to help you fill out legal forms and explain procedures.
• Access Pro Bono offers free legal advice clinics that may also help with documents.
• Staff at Courthouse Libraries BC provide free assistance to the public.
• BC Justice Access Centres can provide information about court forms and processes.

If you have a specific question about completing a BC court form, you can use the Ask JES service.

Many BC organizations offer free legal help. Check the descriptions below to see which one best meets your needs:

• Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC): Information and advocacy for renters. 
• West Coast LEAF: Legal support for gender equality issues.
• PovNet: Directory to find advocates across BC. Advocates often deal with issues related to income assistance, housing, employment, family law and more.
• Community Legal Assistance Society: Provides free assistance to modest-income British Columbians facing certain types of legal issues, including eviction, human rights complaints, and work-related issues.
• Seniors First BC: Free legal services for older adults.
• Indigenous Justice Centres: Provide culturally-appropriate information, advice, support and representation for Indigenous people.

See "How can I get free or low cost legal help?" and "How do I find a BC lawyer or legal clinic near me?" to get legal help from other BC service providers. Or, use Ask JES to ask your legal question.

In BC, there are a range of websites that provide legal help information. The list below provides trusted online legal information from JES, as well as other BC organizations.

Legal Help Websites by Justice Education Society of BC

• Legal Help BC: An online resource that features FAQs on a range of topics. Also includes access to Ask JES, which provides free answers to legal questions.
• Family Law in BC: Dedicated to family law issues such as divorce, separation, parenting, and child support. Includes practical tools like a separation agreement builder and a series of guides to help British Columbians move through separation and divorce processes.
• SmallClaimsBC.ca: Explains the Small Claims Court process in BC, including how to start a claim, respond to one, and resolve disputes involving money or property.
• SupremeCourtBC.ca: Provides step-by-step guidance, forms, and resources for people representing themselves in civil or family cases in the BC Supreme Court. Also includes information related to criminal law cases heard by the court.
• CourtofAppealBC.ca: Offers information on the appeal process in BC’s highest court, including timelines, rules, forms, and tips for self-represented litigants.
• AdminLawBC.ca: Helps people understand their rights when dealing with government agencies and tribunals, including how to make complaints, prepare for hearings and appeal decisions.
• RentingItRight.ca: An online course for tenants that explains rental rights and responsibilities in BC, including leases, repairs, and dispute resolution.
• HowToSeparate.ca: Guides to help separating couples through legal, financial, and parenting issues, with interactive tools and plain-language resources. Sections include: Working it Out, Separating Finances and Going to Court.
• LegalRightsForYouth.ca: Explains legal rights and responsibilities for young people in BC, covering topics like work, school, family, police, and housing.
• LawLessons.ca: Provide legal lessons plans for teachers that are aligned with BC's social studies curriculum. The site also enables schools and community groups to book court visits.

More Legal Help Websites

• Clicklaw: A central portal that links to many legal information sources in BC. Includes plain-language legal content and a directory of legal help services across the province.
• People’s Law School: Offers plain-language information on many legal topics such as housing, employment, consumer law, wills, and debt. Materials are designed for people with little legal background. Includes Beagle+, an AI legal help chat service.
• Legal Aid BC: Explains legal aid services available to people with low income. Publishes eligibility information, as well as legal help resources.
• BC Courts: Official website of the BC courts. Provides court forms, procedures, schedules, and rules of court for the BC Provincial Court, BC Supreme Court and BC Court of Appeal. The BC Provincial Court has a dedicated site with a range of helpful information. 
• BC Government Justice Services: Contains official guides, legislation, and information about justice programs and services offered by the BC provincial government.

Ask JES can provide additional information about these resources, as well as respond to YOUR legal questions.

If you see a crime happening, call 9-1-1 (if it is urgent) or call your local police.

If it is safe and you are not threatened, wait for the police to come. As a witness, it is your duty to talk to the police. The police will talk to you and other witnesses. Speaking with witnesses helps the police gather evidence to be able to arrest a criminal. If a witness cannot speak English, the police will get an interpreter. Witnesses provide their name, address, phone number, and describe the crime they witnessed.

If you are unsure whether what you experienced, know or saw is a crime or if you would like to report a crime:

• Contact your local police
• Speak to a victim service worker by calling VictimLinkBC.

If you get a traffic ticket in BC, you have two main options:

1. Pay the ticket – This means you accept the fine and any penalty points. You can pay online, by mail, or in person. Details: Pay a traffic ticket – Government of BC
2. Dispute the ticket – If you believe the ticket is wrong, you must file a dispute within 30 days. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a court registry. More info: Dispute a ticket – Provincial Court of BC

If you get a traffic summons:

• A summons means you are required to attend court on a set date. It is more serious than a ticket.
• You cannot simply pay the fine to avoid court.
• If you miss your court date, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
• You may want to speak to a lawyer or duty counsel for advice. See “How do I find a BC lawyer or legal clinic near me?”

You can use Ask JES to get more information about how to handle your traffic ticket or summons.