LEGAL AID BC (LABC)
Call Centre (legal aid applications):
1-866-577-2525 (call no charge)
Call Centre hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 am – 4 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 2:30 pm
Website: legalaid.bc.ca
Administration (general inquiries only):
604-601-6000 (Greater Vancouver)
Office hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 9 am – 2:30 pm
Address: 400 – 510 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8
Legal Aid BC (LABC) is a non-profit organization that provides legal aid in British Columbia. LABC provides legal information, advice, and representation services for people with criminal law issues, serious family problems, child protection matters and immigration issues. Its priority is to serve people with low incomes, but many services are available to all British Columbians.
To qualify for legal representation, you must meet financial eligibility requirements. If you don’t qualify, you may still be eligible for some legal advice services.
LABC also produces public legal education and information publications on a wide variety of subjects in English and many other languages. These free online and print publications are available to all British Columbians, regardless of income.
Legal Aid BC – Courtenay Legal Aid Office
Contact: Local Agent, Doug Marion (Barrister & Solicitor)
Address: 1625B McPhee Ave, Courtenay, BC V9N 3A6
Phone: 250-897-1400 Fax: 250-897-3261
Email: Intake.CampbellRiver.Courtenay@legalaid.bc.ca
Website: legalaid.bc.ca
Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 am – 4 pm; Thursday: 11 am – 4 pm.
Thursday: 9 am – 10:30 am (Courtney Courthouse)
LABC Programs & Services:
Legal information:
- Free publications in many languages
- Information services in person and over the phone
- Referrals to other services in your community
- Online legal information and self-help resources
Legal advice:
- Duty counsel (lawyers) provide family, child protection, or criminal advice, and may be able to help at some types of court appearances
- Family LawLINE provides free family and child protection advice over the phone from a family lawyer
Legal representation:
- A lawyer to take your case when you have a criminal, child protection, immigration, or serious family law issue
Important Phone Numbers by Area of Law:
Criminal law:
Brydges Line: 1-866-458-5500 (call no charge)
Brydges Line is a province-wide toll-free telephone service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call to speak to a lawyer if you’re:
- arrested
- detained; and
- under active investigation by the police or another law enforcement agency for a criminal offence and in custody, but you are not yet charged, and you need emergency legal services.
Family law:
Family LawLINE: 1-866-577-2525 (call no charge)
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 am – 3 pm; Wednesday: 9 am – 2:30 pm
If you live on a low income and are experiencing a family law issue, you may be eligible for free legal advice over the telephone from a family lawyer. When you call the toll-free number above, an intake worker will ask you questions about your financial situation and legal issue. If you qualify, you’ll be transferred to the Family LawLINE service.
Child protection law:
Parents Legal Centres: 1-888-522-2752 (call no charge)
Parents Legal Centres (PLCs) help parents with child protection matters. If a social worker from the Ministry of Children and Family Development or a delegated Aboriginal agency contacts you or visits your home, you may be under investigation. You have the right to free legal advice. Call the toll-free number above immediately to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer and advocate.
Immigration and refugee law:
LABC’s immigration line: 1-888-601-6076 (call no charge)
If you are in BC, you can get a lawyer to represent you in your immigration law case if:
- you are facing an immigration proceeding that may result in your removal from Canada, or
- you wish to claim refugee status.
If you wish to claim refugee status and you qualify, you can get a lawyer to:
- help you fill out forms
- help you prepare for a refugee claim hearing
- represent you at your hearing
If you’re in detention, ask to speak to duty counsel or call the legal aid immigration line above.
More information:
For more information about LABC’s programs and services, visit legalaid.bc.ca or one of LABC’s other websites listed below.
Family Law in BC website:
Family.legalaid.bc.ca
Find answers to your family law issue.
Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC website:
Aboriginal.legalaid.bc.ca
Legal aid for Indigenous people in BC.
MyLawBC website:
Mylawbc.com
Free help for parenting and child support arrangements, separation and divorce, abuse and family violence, missed mortgage payments, wills, and planning for your future care.