Author: Clicklaw Editor

Helpful Resources for Navigating the New BC Family Law Act

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Confused about the new BC Family Law Act?  The new BC Family Law Act is in force as of today (March 18, 2013), and the Legal Services Society has published three very helpful new resources that explain the many changes. We’ve combined these resources in  a new common question:

I want to learn more about the new BC Family Law Act

Here is what you can expect to find in the new LSS publications:

  • The Guide to the New BC Family Law Act includes information about language changes, making agreements to stay out of court, parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, dividing property and debt, family law protection orders, and moving with children.
  • The FAQ pamphlet, presented in a Q & A format, addresses how the new law affects family matters, touching on issues pertaining to children, property and debt, and support payments.  In also highlights some of the changes to legal terminology.
  •  The Quick Reference Tool is a set of easy-to-understand visual cue cards that set out to explain the basics of the new family law and direct users to necessary next steps and resources.

JESS – A Virtual Assistant for BC Supreme Court Matters

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JESS, the Justice Education Society’s electronic diagnostic tool, is now available on the BC Supreme Court website.  Self-representing litigants dealing with civil, family law and criminal matters now have access to personalized free legal help via online chat and over the phone.  

 The civil matters component of JESS offers practical advice including tips on preparing a case, effective note taking methods and how to conduct yourself in court.  Navigating JESS is easy – you simply zero in on a specific stage of the litigation process, e.g. Before Trial, After Trial, to obtain a list of booklets covering that particular topic.  For example, the booklet titled Case Planning Conference describes the process of how parties come together before the trial to discuss and plan how the case will proceed.  Once the trial is in progress other questions may arise, such as what evidence must be presented in Court?  Answers to these questions can be found in the booklet titled Proving Your Case in Supreme Court.  

 Last but not least, check out Clicklaw’s own Common Question – I am trying to prepare a Supreme Court case – for additional resources on this topic.