If you’re going to court without a lawyer and you’re looking for some resources to guide you, look no further! The BC Provincial Court and Clicklaw have teamed up to provide useful online legal resources in each of the Court’s major areas of work and we’ve gathered some of their info to share with you.
Who is Clicklaw?
Clicklaw is a website that provides British Columbians access to legal information and help from trusted contributor organizations.
You can use the search function on the Clicklaw website to find the information you’re looking for, or explore the Common Questions pages that directs users to good starting points for specific problems.
Resources to help you prepare for court
1. Family Court
Going to family court? Read this page for resources that can help with family matters in Provincial Court.
What kinds of issues will this help me with? Guardianship, parenting arrangements, child/spousal support, and protection orders.
2. Small Claims Court
Are you suing someone or being sued for an amount between $5001 and $35,000? Read this page for resources that can help with claims that can be addressed in Provincial Court.
What kinds of issues will this help me with? Debt, damages, personal property, and specific performance of a contract.
3. Criminal Court
Going to criminal court? Read this page for resources that can help with the Criminal Court process in Provincial Court.
What kinds of issues will this help me with? According to Clicklaw, over 90% of criminal cases in BC are heard in Provincial Court. If the offence is a serious of “indictable” offence, you may have a choice to hold your trial in Provincial or Supreme Court.
Do you have legal questions? Consider searching Clicklaw for the information you’re looking for. Another option is to consult with a lawyer. Clicklaw’s HelpMap allows you to search for free or low-cost services provided by phone or in-person, based on area of law and/or your location. While we like to share information that is useful to British Columbians, we are not in a position to offer legal advice.
ADDITIONAL READING
Resolving small claims strata disputes online: what to expect from the CRT
Who do I talk to about…strata issues?
What is a “quality of service” issue and what can you do about it?
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
The Justice Education Society has a great site to help litigants navigate the Supreme Court
Hi Doug, thanks for sharing that with us here. Much appreciated and good to know.