Legal Aid Representation Services

Provides eligible low-income people with a lawyer, under certain circumstances. Apply at all Legal Aid BC local agents and regional centres, or by phoning the LABC Call Centre.

Representation Services (Serious Family Law Matters) are provided in situations such as getting an immediate court order to ensure a person's or their children's safety and security, to resolve a serious denial of parenting time or contact with their children, when the other parent threatens to remove the children permanently from the province, or when someone has guardianship or parenting time with the children and the other parent has contact with or parenting time, but they have unlawfully held the children and not allowed the other parent to carry out their parenting time. A lawyer may also be provided, depending on available funding the circumstances, and based on a merit test - for high conflict cases, when someone has experienced court-related harassment (ex-partner is using the legal system to harass them); when a person is unable to self-represent due to emotional abuse, psychological trauma, or mental illness; or when all other efforts to resolve the case have been exhausted and resolving the case will make a significant difference to the person or their children. The above is an incomplete list of situations that may be covered. Call Legal Aid BC to determine eligibility for services.

Representation Services (Child Protection Matters) are provided if the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) or a delegated Aboriginal agency has taken or has threatened to take their child or children away from them, or there are guardianship or custody and contact or access issues related to a child in the care of the MCFD (foster care).

Representation Services (Criminal Law Matters) are provided in criminal cases if, after being convicted, the individual would go to jail, face a conditional sentence that would severely limit their liberty, lose their way of earning a living, or face an immigration proceeding that could lead to deportation from Canada. Individuals can also receive representation if they have a condition that makes it impossible to represent themselves, such as a physical condition, disability, or mental illness. Aboriginal individuals whose case affects their ability to follow a traditional livelihood of hunting and fishing can receive representation. An individual can get a lawyer to represent them but not go to trial with them if they have been charged and don't face a risk of jail, or face a risk of jail and have a higher household monthly income. Young people who are charged with a federal offense can also receive representation.

Representation Service (Immigration) are provided in immigration law cases if the individual is facing an immigration proceeding that may result in their removal from Canada, or they wish to claim refugee status. If someone wishes to claim refugee status and they qualify, they can get a lawyer to help them fill out forms, help them prepare for a refugee claim hearing, and represent them at their hearing.

Representation Services (Mental Health, and Prison Issues) are provided to individuals who face a Mental Health Review Panel or a BC Review Board Hearing, or face prison issues for which the Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides the right to a lawyer.