Legal Aid BC
Legal Aid BC has a range of free services. Legal Aid BC gives priority to people with low income but many of its services are available to all people in BC. They can help you access legal information, advice and representation services.
You can apply for legal aid by phone or in person.
BC call centre
604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver)
1-866-577-2525 (elsewhere in BC)
All callers have an initial interview where staff ask questions to determine your eligibility for their services.
Call centre hours
9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday)
9:00 am to 2:30 pm (Wednesday)
Parents Legal Centres
Parents Legal Centres (PLCs) provide a free lawyer and an advocate to help parents address the social worker’s concerns about their children’s safety (child protection) early on. Together, they can help find solutions that work for the family. This service is available to parents any time after the ministry or a delegated Aboriginal agency contacts them.
There are ten Parents Legal Centres across BC. Learn more here
Family Duty Counsel
If you have a family law issue, you may qualify for help from Family Duty Counsel (FDC) or a family advice lawyer, even if you do not qualify for a legal aid lawyer.
Duty counsel can help with:
- Parenting time or contact / access
- Guardianship / custody
- Child support
- Property (limited advice)
- Tentative settlement agreements
- Court procedures
Learn more about getting family law help here
Don’t qualify for legal aid?
You are eligible to receive legal assistance if you are a member of a community that our Indigenous Justice Centres serve.
If you are located in any of the following communities, please reach out to the relevant Indigenous Justice Centre.
Prince George Indigenous Justice Centre Service Area
- Esdilagh
- Nazko
- Red Bluff
- Lheidli Tenneh
- Mcleod Lake Indian Band
- Saikuz
- Nadleh Whut’en
- Kwadacha
- Tse Key Dene
- Yecoohe
- Takla
- T’laz’ten
- Nak’azdli First Nation
Merritt Indigenous Justice Centre Service Area
- Upper Nicola
- Lower Nicola
- Coldwater
- Nooaitch
- Shackan
Prince Rupert Indigenous Justice Centre Service Area
- Metlakatla
- Lax Kw’alaams
- Gitxaala (Kitkatla)
- Gitga’at (Hartley Bay)
- Haida Gwaii
- Nisga’a
For more information on the Indigenous Justice Centres, contact information, and the services they provide, please visit the IJC webpage by clicking the link below.
