Nanaimo Justice Access Centre

Provided by: Ministry of Attorney General

Service Description

Offers assistance with family justice matters including: separation and divorce, guardianship, parenting arrangements or contact with a child when there is a separation or divorce, child and spousal support, parenting after separation issues, and Family Law Act protection orders for prevention. Also provides help with referrals, resources and information for limited Supreme Court of British Columbia civil law processes, including assistance with: simple probate, requesting a review of decisions of the Residential Tenancy Branch and various tribunals, appeals to the Supreme Court, and general Supreme Court information.

Staff are available one-on-one to assess client needs and provide referrals to services offered at the centre as well as in the community. The Self-Help Resource Room offers a resource library, booklets and brochures to take home; computers for doing research, completing forms and other word processing tasks; and printers to print forms and other materials. Where appropriate, trained mediators (family justice counsellors) are available to provide dispute resolution. Service is free and confidential. Limited legal advice and representation about a range of family and civil matters may be available based on eligibility guidelines (advice is not provided for criminal matters, small claims court forms and filings, and personal injury matters).

The Nanaimo Justice Access Centre can be contacted directly to schedule a family needs assessment and complete a parenting education program in order to fulfill the Family Justice Registry requirement of the Nanaimo Provincial Court for all family law matters filed there.

Serves Nanaimo and surrounding mid-island communities, including Bowser, Cedar, Coombs, Deep Bay, Errington, Gabriola Island, Nanoose Bay, Parksville, and Qualicum Beach. Hours are 8 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday (open until 7 pm on Wednesday by appointment only). In-person and virtual services are available during all business hours. The Self-Help Resource Room is open 9 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday. Hours subject to change. Clients without an appointment are advised to phone ahead before dropping in.

Service Location