DOING YOUR OWN LEGAL RESEARCH
It is not ideal to represent yourself in Court but many women have to do it. If this is your only option or you want to do the research for yourself enclosed is a number of options.
LEGAL RESOURCES
Peoples Law School
Offers classes and publications on a variety of topics including B.C. Benefits, Child Protection, Family Law Issues
#150-900 Howe Street Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 2M4,
604-331-5400,
www.publiclegaled.bc.ca
Law Courts Education Society
Offers educational programs and resources about the justice system.
Various regional offices: Head Office 221-800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, B.C.
604-660-9870
www.lawcourtsed.ca
Dial-A-Law
A library of prerecorded messages on specific topics of law as they apply in B.C.
Lower Mainland: 604-687-4680
Greater B. C.: 1-800-565-5297 www.bccba.org
LawLINE
Run by Legal Services Society can provide Legal Information and publications with no legal advice.
Vancouver: 604-408-2172
Greater B.C: 1-866-577-2525
Lawyer Referral Service
Will allow you to speak to a lawyer for an hour for only $25
Lower Mainland: 604-687-3221
Greater B. C.: 1-800-663-1919
Local Public Library or Law Library May have books and resources though may be out of date.
Salvation Army Pro Bono Lawyer Consultation Program
Free services in various locations around the province. For people who cannot afford a lawyer and do not qualify for Legal Aid.
604-296-3816
www.probono.ca
Queen’s Printers
Family Relations Act, Divorce Act, etc. available for purchase.
250-387-3309
Self Counsel Press
Available at major bookstores, Save-On-Foods, Staples, or On-Line Includes Divorce Guide and Forms for British Columbia, and a Separation Agreement.
604-986-3366
ON LINE RESOURCES
Government Web Sites
Ministry of the Attorney General Reports and Publications
List of publications which link to Family Court forms and Manual, Supreme Court Forms and Manual, Child Support Guidelines, and others.
www.ag.gov.bc.ca/public/index.htm
BC Supreme Court Forms
www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/
PDF format
Ministry of the Attorney General:
Contains links and Reports and Publications
www.gov.bc.ca
B.C. Provincial Court
Access the Criminal Rules of the Court, the Family Rules of Court and access recent judgments
www.provincialcourt.bc.ca
BC Family Justice
Good site. Contains forms and completion guide but not as good as Legal Services Society. www.ag.gov.bc.ca/family-justice/
Department of Justice Canada
Offers access to Federal laws and regulations ie: Divorce Act, www.Canada.justice.gc.ca
Non-Government Websites
Legal Services Society
Very good site including forms ie: Do it Yourself Divorce with a step-by-step guide to completing. http://www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca
LawLINK
This site has links to information on legal topics, including family law, Aboriginal law, immigration and refugee law, work, and housing.
www.lawlink.bc.ca
Legal Services Society
www.lss.bc.ca.htm
B.C. Supreme Court Self-Help Information Centre website
Provides self-help materials that will help you understand the court process
www.supremecourtselfhelp.bc.ca
Community Legal Assistance Society
Has a number of Supreme Court Lay Persons Guides
www2.povnet.org/clas/publications
ProBonoNet BC
Connects legal services to community groups. Groups enroll and can then request individual lawyers for their clients. Includes links to self-help materials.
www.probononet.bc.ca
BC Association of Specialized Victim’s Assistance and Counselling Programs
Includes the Family Resource Manual for Community Based Advocates
And Link to the RCMP Policy on Violence in Relationships
www.endingviolence.org
Electronic Law Library www.bcpl.gov.bc.ca/ell/
BC Chapter of the
Canadian Bar Association www.cba.org/bc
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program
A manual for Law Students. Not necessarily up to date. www.lslap.bc.ca
JP Boyd’s B.C. Family Law Web Resource
An excellent web site for those unfamiliar with family law rights and procedures. www.bcfamilylawresource.com
Access to Justice Network
Contains statutes, bylaws and some case law.
www.acjnet.org
Multilingual Legal Web Site
A site where community workers and newcomers can find legal information and community resources in their own languages
www.multilingolegal.ca
OTHER RESOURCES
BC Institute Against Family Violence Dedicated to ending and preventing family violence. Services include research studies, education projects, Resource centre, web site, publications, newsletter and audiovisual materials.
604-669-7055
www.bcifv.org
PovNet
Provides a searchable website providing information on and links to resources providing a variety of issues affecting the rights of the poor and otherwise disadvantaged.
www.povnet.org
VictimLink
Province wide. Offers information about various services in your area to survivors of sexual assault and spousal abuse.
1-800-563-0808
Women, Information & Advocacy
www.domesticabusemuststop.org
PLEASE NOTE
This brochure is intended for general information only. The writers and distributors of this pamphlet do not guarantee its legal accuracy and do not accept responsibility for loss or inconvenience suffered by its use.
Updated Feb. 14, 2006 |
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