Category: Community posts

We ran a user survey on Clicklaw and Clicklaw Wikibooks websites from November 2019 to April 2020 to gather on-site feedback from the audience. This post is admittedly late, but we hope you’d still find it useful to know who our users are and what they think about the sites. Please read to the end for the prize winners and what they said.

Who are our users?

It looks like members of the public are still the primary users before the helpers or intermediaries. The proportion of this is higher for Clicklaw (76% of 1032 respondents) than for Clicklaw Wikibooks (65% of 465 respondents).

Why did they visit the site?

They mostly wanted to find legal information. This is more evident for Clicklaw Wikibooks (82%) than for Clicklaw (65%). The next reason was to find someone who can help with a legal question or problem. Clicklaw Wikibooks hosts plain language legal information. Clicklaw offers listings of online resources and the HelpMap for finding local legal services.

Were they able to find the legal info?

The good news is many Clicklaw users thought they succeeded – over half the respondents said they were able to find the legal info. A third chose neutral, which could mean they weren’t sure about what they found yet. They might feel like they would need more time to digest the information before saying it’s what they were looking for.

For Clicklaw Wikibooks, two-thirds of respondents (67%) indicated they could find the legal info. One-fifth of them were neutral (21%).

What did they say?

Here are some of the interesting comments we’d like you to know. Shout out to all the Clicklaw contributors! Let’s give a big round of applause for the legal professionals and law-related, non-profit organizations that contribute to the Clicklaw Wikibooks collection.

Clicklaw

I have used Clicklaw in the past and always found it helpful. Thanks for providing this valuable service.

I referred this website to my supervisor, co-workers and clients as well after learning about this thru the legal booth camp. Since then, this website has been my companion and source of info.

Thank you for putting and managing such an important resource online.

This website is a great resource for those that cannot afford a lawyer.

The site is straight forward. The general categories section with sub categories is easy to use. The questions in “Popular Questions” reflects my experience when assisting Library customers.

I didn’t have to look around too much. I found what I needed (phone #) right away. Thanks.

I was looking for information and a formset for an RA9 and found it; very pleased.

My thanks for posting and maintaining the legal information regarding pensions.

I truly appreciate the fact that the website helps people find the information. Information should be free asset and easy to access by everyone. This site is really useful.

Clicklaw Wikibooks

As a practising lawyer I find it a useful reference tool, thanks!

Great website. Especially on asset and debt division.

This site has been at the top of my search for answers since I separated and divorced over 10 years ago, and found myself in need of answers every few years, with new circumstances, from my rural home before heading to see a duty counsel, super grateful,,,,

thank you. many times i consult this site.

The page is professionally written, neatly laid out, and seems clear… at least at this early stage in my efforts to understand how things work out there. https://wiki.clicklaw.bc.ca/index.php?title=Steps_to_Take_regarding_Public_Complaints_(5:III)

very valuable information that help alleviate anxiety

I found more information here than I was expecting

It is very useful to be able to give clients a source for reliable information about family law.

its a great comfort knowing that i can get answers or directions on how to proceed on legal actions its rather confusing when you are not a lawyer

You guys are my heroes! I was despairing of ever being able to probate my late wife’s estate, which meant I couldn’t file her final taxes, file my back taxes, and file my new wife’s taxes. You’ve saved me a lot of headaches and stress by having this wonderful website set up with easily accessible forms. You’ve made it all nice and simple and set it all up in a way that makes my work so much easier! It’s still a lot of paperwork, but I’m good at that. Thank you so much!

Very informative site to help me as executor of father’s estate, and to “walk” me through the probate process. Thankyou!

Our entire board is now using the comparison of old and new model bylaws vs the Societies Act

The prize winners

Finally, we drew and delivered the prize, a Chapters gift card, to the winners. Congrats to ND in Smithers and RK in Burnaby.

One of them shared this comment, and with their permission, we’re sharing it here.

My visit to Clicklaw was to educate myself regarding resources I might be able to recommend to members of the public who use the small local library I work for in northern BC. I now feel better equipped to empower library users, especially more vulnerable members or our community.

Stay informed:

October 4 to 10 is Make a Will Week! The government of British Columbia designated the week to encourage the public to write or update their will.

Will making is getting even more manageable. Remote witnessing of will signing is now a permanent part of BC law. Recognition of electronic wills is coming soon once tweaks to the probate rules are made to allow for the filing of electronic wills.

Why do I need a will? Why should I make one?

A will is a legal document that leaves instructions about what you want to be done with everything you own after your death. If you die without a will, your property will be divided according to the law in BC. It could make things more difficult for your loved ones.

I want to make a will. What should I do?

You could start by reading any of the free resources available for British Columbians. Go to the Courthouse Libraries BC website for a complete list of resources and services prepared for various audiences: http://bit.ly/clbcwills. At the Wills & Personal Planning Resources page, you could also find information about personal planning documents, such as Representation Agreements and Enduring Power of Attorney.

Printable handouts

For a quick overview, this one-pager for everyone (PDF) comes handy. The handout is also available for public librarians & community helpers (PDF), as well as for lawyers & legal professionals (PDF). Feel free to print and distribute these handouts, but please highlight the short URL that directs back to the Wills & Personal Planning Resources page: http://bit.ly/CLBCwills.

Any public events to help me get started?

Check out the listings in our October Events post. Different non-profit organizations hold free or low-cost webinars to help you with various topics around wills. They are listed below in alphabetical order, along with description taken from their website:

• Nidus – is currently the only community-based resource in Canada devoted to personal planning. Its existence sets British Columbia apart as a leader in addressing the critical needs of an ageing population.
• People’s Law School – provides free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.
• Plan Institute – works to improve the lives of people with disabilities by collaborating on community-based projects, offering a suite of learning initiatives, and advocating for policy reform.

Stay informed: