Getting Help

How do I get help?

There are many ways to find out more about your legal problem, who can help you, and how a particular tribunal works. Some organizations provide advocacy services where a lawyer or a knowledgeable staff member can give you information and advice about how to handle your problem. Other organizations provide information and brochures that explain the area of law that you are interested in. You will find the following resources useful.

Start with an overview
The Administrative Justice Office (AJO), BC Ministry of the Attorney General, provides information about BC tribunals, statutory decision makers and others in BC’s administrative justice system, and how those entities work to provide an effective alternative to the courts to resolve disputes. The AJO website has an excellent self-help section, which explains many administrative law issues and provides a general overview of how tribunals conduct their work.  It also provides links to BC tribunals and other resources.

Look at tribunal websites
It is also helpful to have a look at the website for the tribunal you are interested in. Many websites provide self-help information for people who will be involved in a tribunal hearing. For example, the Residential Tenancy Office has a great deal of information to get you started on resolving your dispute.

Learn more about your administrative law problem

Dial a Law
Dial-A-Law is a library of scripts prepared by lawyers. It offers general information on a variety of administrative law topics on law in British Columbia, but not legal advice. Dial-A-Law is a free service that is available in English, Chinese, and Punjabi by telephone and on the Internet.

Clicklaw
Couldn’t find the right resource? Search Clicklaw.

Clicklaw is a website that features legal information and education from more than 24 public legal education contributors. The resources available through Clicklaw were designed to be used by the public and those helping the public access legal information. Clicklaw: Solve Problems. Find Help.

Dispute Resolution Office
The Ministry of Attorney General’s Dispute Resolution Office develops and promotes non-adversarial dispute resolution options within the justice system and government. The Office also publishes information bulletins and other educational materials, including a Guide to Mediation in British Columbia and the Dispute Resolution Series, a four-volume set on negotiation and mediation.

British Columbia Council of Administrative Tribunals
The British Columbia Council of Administrative Tribunals is comprised primarily of tribunal members, lawyers, and staff of administrative tribunals of BC. The organization fosters improvements in the administrative justice system in the Province.

SmallClaimsBC
SmallClaimsBC.ca provides an introduction to the Small Claims Pilot, which aims to ensure faster and earlier solutions to small claims cases. The site’s videos explain summary and simplified trials, mediations, trials and trial conferences. The site also features downloadable forms and provides information in French, Simplified Chinese, Punjabi and Vietnamese.