Free Legal & Advocacy Services In Vancouver
- Spencer van Vloten
- Nov 7, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 29, 2024
Lawyers are expensive! With costs quickly running into the thousands, few people can afford a lawyer without taking a significant financial hit.
Thankfully, there are numerous free legal and advocacy services in Vancouver which can provide you with support.
Find An Advocate Tool
A great starting point for help is PovNet's Find An Advocate tool. This allows you to find nearby support based on the type of help you're looking for, such as legal services, applying for benefits, general information, or something else.
Neighbourhood Houses and Seniors' Centres
Neighbourhood houses and seniors' organizations will often help community members with issues they're having, including if they need an advocate in their corner.
Check to see if there is an organization in your area, because they might be able to help you.
Free Legal and Advocacy Resources
Below you can find some of the organizations which provide legal support, advocacy, or investigate complaints from the public.
Legal resources and services for Indigenous persons
aboriginal.legalaid.bc.ca | 604-408-2172
Provides free legal advice to people who can’t afford a lawyer
accessprobono.ca | 604-482-3195 | help@accessprobono.ca
300 – 845 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4Z9
Free support in completing legal forms or preparing for a court appearance
legalformsbc.ca | 778-522-2839 | legalformsbc@gmail.com
Low-income women (inclusive of transwomen) in the Downtown Eastside can obtain free legal advocacy in a safe and confidential, women’s only space
atira.bc.ca/what-we-do/program/legal-advocacy | 604-331-1407 ext 114 legaladvocate@atira.bc.ca | 101 East Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1K7
Assists with complaints about the administration of government programs and services, such a delay receiving service or a disagreement with a decision made
bcombudsperson.ca | 1-800-567-3247 | info@bcombudsperson.ca
PO Box 9039, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9A5
Advances the interests of groups that are generally unrepresented or underrepresented in issues of major public concern, including helping people make complaints
bcpiac.com | 604-687-3063 | support@bcpiac.org
408-470 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1V5
Supports young people and their families in dealing with the provincial child and youth welfare system. The Representative is a non-partisan, independent officer of the legislature.
rcybc.ca | 1-800-476-3933 | rcy@rcybc.ca
Suite 400, 1019 Wharf Street, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y9
Monitors seniors’ services and issues in BC, making recommendations to government and service providers to address systemic issues. If you are a senior or have an issue related to seniors you want to report, get in touch with them.
seniorsadvocatebc.ca | 1-877-952-3181 | info@seniorsadvocatebc.ca
6th floor, 1405 Douglas Street, PO Box 9651, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9P4
Brydges Line
A free service available 24-7. You can call 1-866-458-5500 to speak to a lawyer if you are arrested, detained, and under investigation by a law enforcement agency
Low-barrier legal help for 2-Sprit, transgender, and gender non-conforming people
cwhwc.com | 604-442-4352 | contactus@cwhwc.com
408-55 Water Street, Private Mailbox #8945, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1A1
Free legal support for young people, with no minimum age to receive help
scyofbc.org/child-youth-legal-centre | 778-657-5544 | cylc@scyofbc.org
102 – 1678 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V6J 1X6
Provides free legal support to low-income persons over issues of housing, human rights, workers' rights, sexual harassment, and more
clasbc.net | 604-685-3425 | contact@clasbc.net
300-1140 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 4G1
Receives complaints from the public and conducts reviews when complainants are not satisfied with the RCMP’s handling of their complaints. The Commission is not part of the RCMP.
crcc-ccetp.gc.ca | PO Box 1722, Station B, Ottawa, ON, K1P 0B3
Features free information on the law in BC in 190 topic areas.
dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca | 604-687-4680
Income advocacy, planning support, and legal help for people with disabilities. If you need help with disability assistance issues or feel you have been discriminated against due to a disability, they are a great resource.
disabilityalliancebc.org/program/disability-law-clinic | 236-427-1108
lawclinic@disabilityalliancebc.org | #1450-605 Robson St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 5J3
Advocacy services for women who require assistance with legal or governmental bodies. Areas of advocacy include issues related to child and family issues, tenancy, benefits, and more.
dewc.ca/programs/support-advocacy | 604-681-8480 ext 342 | admin@dewc.ca
Multiple locations – contact for a specific one
Free legal services to older adults on a wide range of legal matters
seniorsfirstbc.ca/programs/elder-law-clinic | 604-437-1940
1281 W Georgia St Suite 502, Vancouver, BC V6E 3J7
An online directory of Registered Roster Mediators in British Columbia
mediatebc.com/find-a-mediator
Offers legal assistance, advice, and representation to low-income and vulnerable people in the Downtown Eastside, with a focus on tenancy and social assistance issues
firstunited.ca/how-we-help/legal-advocacy | 604-251-3323
advocacy@firstunited.ca | 542 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Provides free legal services to people who need help with a provincial human rights complaint
bchrc.net | 604-622-1100 | infobchrc@clasbc.net
300-1140 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 4G1
Free legal support for low-income people, focusing on assisting individuals and families whose immigration or refugee legal issues aren’t easily served in the traditional legal aid system
irlc.ca | 778-372-6583 | info@irlc.ca
103 – 2610 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5N 4L2
Advice and representation for criminal matters, Aboriginal law/Indigenous legal issues, family law matters, child protection, human rights complaints, letters of administration, police complaints
allard.ubc.ca/community-clinics/indigenous-community-legal-clinic/information-clients
604-778-5421 | iclc@allard.ubc.ca | 148 Alexander Street, Vancouver, BC
Provides free legal services to Indigenous clients living in under-served areas of the province where access to legal advice or representation is difficult or non-existent
bcfnjc.com/virtual-indigenous-justice-centre | 1-866-786-0081 | virtual@bcfnjc.com
Self-help guides for BC's judicial review processes. A judicial review's a court action in which a judge reviews the decision of a tribunal or other legal decision-maker for errors or unfairness.
judicialreviewbc.ca
Helps with family and civil law issues, such as separation and divorce
604-660-2084 | 290–800 Hornby Street, Robson Square, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2C5
Provides support, advocacy and resource information to grandparents and other relatives raising a family member’s child as well as to service providers and allies
parentsupportbc.ca/services/support-line | 604-558-4740 kinshipcare@parentsupportbc.ca
Free legal advice for people who cannot afford a lawyer. UBC law students are supervised by practicing lawyers.
lslap.bc.ca | 604-822-5791 | 1822 East Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z1
Provides a range of free legal services. Priority’s given to people with low incomes, but many services are available to all British Columbians. Apply by phone in your community.
legalaid.bc.ca | 604-408-2172 | 400 – 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3A8
Free answers to legal questions
legalhelpbc.ca | 1-855-875-8867
Information about legal rights for youth in BC
legalrightsforyouth.ca
Helps temporary foreign workers with legal issues, particularly in the areas of employment and immigration
mwcbc.ca | 604-669-4482 | info@mwcbc.ca
119 West Pender Street, Suite #302, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1S5
The office for your Member of the Legislative Assembly can help resolve issues you are having with provincial government or within the constituency
leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members
Legal info, advice, referrals, support, and representation to low-income newcomers
mosaicbc.org/our-programs/legal-help-for-immigrants-and-refugees | 236-479-7153
The office for your Member of Parliament can help resolve issues you are having with federal government or within the constituency
ourcommons.ca/members/en
Helps Indigenous people navigate the criminal justice system in BC, while providing support services for a healthier and more satisfying life free from alcohol, drugs, and violence
nccabc.ca | 604-985-5355 | nccabc@nccabc.net
207 – 1999 Marine Drive, North Van, BC, V7P 3J3
You can contact the OPCC to make a complaint against the municipal police
opcc.bc.ca | 1-877-999-8707 | info@opcc.bc.ca
5th Floor, 947 Fort Street, PO Box 9895, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9T8
Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments
Have a problem with your bank? The Ombudsman can help you resolve it.
obsi.ca | 1-888-451-4519 | ombudsman@obsi.ca
20 Queen Street West, Suite 2400, PO Box 8, Toronto, ON, M5H 3R3
Helps parents with child protection issues
legalaid.bc.ca/legal_aid/parents-legal-centres | 604-601-6310
Room 129 - 800 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2C5
Provides free legal services to low-income women dealing with family law issues such as divorce, custody, protection orders, child support, and spousal support
womenslegalcentre.ca | 604-451-7447 | info@womenslegalcentre.ca
516 Richards Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3A2
Provides free legal education and advocacy for BC tenants
tenants.bc.ca | 604-255-0546
Provides justice, homelessness, and crime prevention services for Indigenous persons
vatjss.com | 604-251-7200 | administration@vatjss.com
Offers legal support to women who have experienced violence or abuse
ywcavan.org/programs/legal-supports
To find more community resources, click here! Also feel free to email me at spencer@bcdisability.com
-Spencer van Vloten
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