The following services provide legal assistance on a province-wide basis, often by phone:
The CLAS Community Law Program provides assistance with judicial reviews about a human right, government benefit, eviction, work-related legal issue, or mental health law issue. Request assistance with the form on this site’s “Ask Us A Question” section.
Access Pro Bono operates a range of programs that will connect you with a volunteer lawyer who will consult with you or represent you. See especially their civil chambers program, roster program, and residential tenancy program.
The Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) runs a telephone infoline to give tenants information and also provides advocacy services.
The BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support runs the Seniors Abuse & Information Line (SAIL) which people can call for advice and information that is tailored to the sorts of situations that seniors in particular face.
The UBC Indigenous Community Legal Clinic provides legal services to Indigenous persons, both in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver and across the province.
Disability Alliance BC assists people applying for, and appealing the denial of, provincial and federal disability benefits.
Justice Access Centres (JACs) at the courthouses in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Vancouver provide self-help and information services, mediation options, limited legal advice, free publications, and presentations.
A half-hour consultation with a lawyer is $25 through the Lawyer Referral Service. Our chart When to get Legal Advice in a Judicial Review provides suggestions about “unbundled” legal services, where the lawyer helps with parts of your case as you go along.
The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association helpline will provide callers with summary advice about the options they have.
The Office of the Ombudsperson will conduct investigations to determine whether provincial public authorities have acted fairly and reasonably. They are often an alternative to judicial review.
The BC Human Rights Clinic provides assistance and representation to those who need help dealing with a provincial human rights complaint. Filing such a complaint may be an alternative to judicial review.
Courthouse Libraries BC will assist people across the province who are searching for legal resources and information.
The BC Workers’ Advisers Office provides free advice and assistance to workers and their dependants on disagreements they may have with WorkSafeBC, including appeals for those who have not reached the judicial review stage.
The Islamophobia Hotline provides free confidential legal advice if you feel that you have been discriminated, harassed, or faced violence because you are Muslim or were perceived to be Muslim.