2017 Bi-Monthly Update Series: January/February

New on Clicklaw, The broader context

To keep you informed, here are some key changes and updates made to Clicklaw in January and February (plus one March bonus):

Jan-Feb | Mar-Apr | May-Jun | Jul-Aug | Sep-Oct | Nov-Dec

Going to (Provincial) Court
by Provincial Court of BC

Most people attending court are nervous, but knowing what to expect can help. Here are answers to some of the questions you may have, depending on why you’re going to court.

Common Question: What if I want legal help for only part of my (family law) problem?

Unbundled legal services may be an option for those who want the advice and assistance of a family lawyer, but for whom hiring one from beginning to end is too expensive. Unlike the traditional full-representation model, a lawyer providing unbundled legal services works on, and charges you for, only those tasks that you agree to in advance. Read more at the Common Question page and see lawyers/paralegals who offer unbundled services on the Roster page.

Mothers Leaving Abusive Partners: Information on Custody and Access for Women with Children
by Legal Services Society and YWCA Vancouver

This updated resource contains information on: what abuse is, how to protect yourself and your children, what the courts can do, deciding parenting arrangements, and where to get help and support. Includes a checklist of what to take with you when you leave an abusive relationship.

Court rules, forms and self-help guides to court procedures

All links to court forms changed this February as Ministry websites were redesigned. Our flow chart that helps you find the forms you may need when going to court (among other things) and has been updated with the latest links.

Service: BWSS Drop-In Family Law Information and Referral Clinic
by Battered Women Support Services

This clinic is designed to provide legal information to women who have urgent matters in family law proceedings; legal information, legal referrals and legal advocacy support will be provided during one to one appointments.

Starting a Franchise in B.C.
by BC Ministry of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction

This resource covers: What is a Franchise?, Franchisee Checklist, Questions to Ask when purchasing a franchise, Q&A on the new Franchises Act that came into force on February 1, 2017.

An Agenda for Justice
 by Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch

The CBABC presents a series of reforms and recommendations aimed at improving access to justice for all British Columbians. An effective justice system is one that actively supports the ability of families, communities and businesses to evolve and thrive.

A Vision for Publicly Funded Legal Aid in British Columbia (March Bonus!)
by Law Society of BC

This report prepared for Benchers by the Law Society’s Legal Aid Task Force concludes that legal aid is a crucial part of the proper administration of justice in a free and democratic society. In a society based on the rule of law, every person must have equal access to the justice system. The report provides a brief history of legal aid in BC, sets out the need for a principled vision, and makes a number of recommendations to realize the Law Society’s Vision for Public Legal Aid in BC.

Stay informed:

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Mar. 2017 Events – (Online, Burnaby, Richmond, Vancouver)

Events, The broader context

Bookmark this post! It will be updated as more events are announced. You can also get frequent updates via our Twitter. Have a suggestion? Email us.

Wednesday, March 1 (11:30-12:30pm) Online Webinar: Live Demo of the Personal Planning Registry

Wednesday, March 8 (11:30-12:30pm) Online Webinar: Planning for Health and Personal Care

Wednesday, March 22 (11:30-12:30pm) Online Webinar: Planning for Financial and Legal Matters

  • March 2-April 27 (Wed & Thurs): Little Mountain Neighbourhood House at 3981 Main Street, Vancouver presents Free Income Tax Clinics

These clinics are offered to low income immigrants, students and seniors. You may be eligible if you have a simple tax situation and meet the suggested family income level. Your 2016 income was less than $30,000/individual or $40,000/couple. See poster for details. Please make appointment with Kim or Andrew by calling 604-879-7104.

Celebrate West Coast LEAF and International Women’s Day at the best event this side of noon!

Keynote speaker: Dr. Cindy Blackstock is Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and a professor in the School of Social Work at McGill University. A member of the Gitksan First Nation, Cindy has 25 years of social work experience in child protection and Indigenous children’s rights.

Get tickets online. Sales end March 7.

  • March 6-13 (Various Dates): People’s Law School 1004presents the following events in Burnaby and Vancouver:

Monday, March 6 (1:00-2:30pm) Richmond Public Library – 7700 Minoru Gate: Power of Attorney (Cantonese) – Contact 604-231-6413 or click here to register.

Monday, March 6 (7:00-8:30pm) Burnaby Public Library – 4595 Albert Street: Wills & Estates – Contact 604-299-8955 or click here to register.

Monday, March 6 (7:00-8:30pm) Burnaby Public Library – 6100 Willingdon Ave: Criminal Law – Steps Involved in a Criminal Case – Contact 604-436-5400 or click here to register.

Wednesday, March 8 (7:00-8:30pm) Burnaby Public Library – 7311 Kingsway: Bullying Between Older Adults in Social Spaces – Contact 604-522-3971 or click here to register.

Monday, March 13 (1:00-2:30pm) Richmond Public Library – 7700 Minoru Gate: Last Will and Testament (Cantonese) – Contact 604-231-6413 or click here to register.

The BC Society Act, which provides the rules for governance and incorporation of non-profits, officially proclaimed important changes on November 28, 2016. There will be a two year transition period by which time all societies in BC will have to make the switch to the new Act. This workshop will provide the information on the bylaw and policy changes necessary for your organization to effectively make the transition when the new Act is proclaimed.

Register Online. Tickets are $50.

  • Tuesday, March 21 (6:00-8:00pm): At the Downtown Vancouver Public Library (Alma VanDusen & Peter Kaye Rooms), join a public forum on Making a Plan for Justice.

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racism – Join us for a public forum about access to BC’s justice system and the importance of public legal education. Speakers include: Kasari Govender, Executive Director, West Coast LEAF / Aleem Bharmal, Executive Director, Community Legal Assistance Society / Rick Craig, Executive Director, Justice Education Society / Lynda Hydamaka, Self-Represented Litigant in Provincial Family Court / Bill Veenstra, Vice-President, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch.

Free Event. Light refreshments provided. Reserve your seats at mable.elmore.mla@leg.bc.ca or 604.775.1033.

The urgency of Canada’s Access to Justice crisis – where more than half of family litigants and around one third of civil litigants now come to court without a lawyer – is attracting growing attention with the justice system. But is A2J is an issue that the public cares deeply about? Surely, if the public were really concerned about A2J, we would hear campaigning politicians talking about it?

Drawing on data from the National Self-Represented Litigants Project, Julie Macfarlane will argue that we under-estimate the importance of A2J to growing numbers of people, and especially those both directly and indirectly affected by the self-represented litigant phenomenon. What will it take for this experience to be directly reflected in our political discourse?

Free to attend. No registration required.

Passed in 2010, Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) is developed to help Canadian individuals, businesses and organizations deal with spam and other electronic threats. CASL limits online commercial messages and prohibits unwanted downloads of programs. All Canadian organizations must comply with the Act, including nonprofits, charities, and libraries. On March 22nd, Maanit Zemel, Principal and Founder of MTZ Law (www.casllaw.ca), will walk nonprofits through the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) for Non-Profits and Charities, and the next deadline for CASL that will come into effect on July 1st, 2017.

Register Online.

Stay informed:

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