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  • Spencer van Vloten

Free Legal & Advocacy Services In Vancouver



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.


Printable Vancouver legal and advocacy resource list


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.


Find An Advocate


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.


Aboriginal Legal Services

Legal resources and services for Indigenous persons ​


aboriginal.legalaid.bc.ca | 604-408-2172


Access Pro Bono Society of BC

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

Amici Curiae

Free support in completing legal forms or preparing for a court appearance


legalformsbc.ca | 778-522-2839 | legalformsbc@gmail.com


Atira Legal Advocacy

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

BC Ombudsperson

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

BC Public Interest Advocacy Centre

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


BC Representative for Children and Youth

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


BC Seniors Advocate

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

Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre

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


Child and Youth Legal Centre

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

CLAS BC

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

Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP

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​​


Dial-A-Law

Features free information on the law in BC in 190 topic areas.​

dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca | 604-687-4680


Disability Alliance BC

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


Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre Advocacy

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

Elder Law Clinic

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


Find A Mediator

An online directory of Registered Roster Mediators in British Columbia


mediatebc.com/find-a-mediator

First United Legal Advocacy

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

Human Rights Clinic

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


Immigration and Refugee Legal Clinic

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

Indigenous Community Legal Clinic

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


Indigenous Justice Centre

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


Judicial Review Guides

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

Justice Access Centre

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


Justice Education Society

Helps people to understand their legal rights and take the next step to address their legal issues


justiceeducation.ca | 604-660-9870 | info@justiceeducation.ca

#260-800 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6X 2C5

Kinship Care Help Line

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


Law Students' Legal Advice Program

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


Legal Aid BC

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


Legal Rights For Youth

Information about legal rights for youth in BC


legalrightsforyouth.ca

Migrant Workers Centre

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

MLA Offices

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


MOSAIC Legal Advocacy Program

Legal info, advice, referrals, support, and representation to low-income newcomers


mosaicbc.org/our-programs/legal-help-for-immigrants-and-refugees | 236-479-7153

lap@mosaicbc.org

MP Offices

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


Native Courtworker and Counselling Association

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


Office of Police Complaints Commissioner

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

Parents Legal Centre

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


RISE Women's Legal Centre

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

​​

Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre

Provides free legal education and advocacy for BC tenants


tenants.bc.ca | 604-255-0546

Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services

Provides justice, homelessness, and crime prevention services for Indigenous persons


vatjss.com | 604-251-7200 | administration@vatjss.com

YWCA Legal Supports for Women

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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