What is “Unbundling”? An Introduction to the BC Family Law Unbundling Roster

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New on the Clicklaw HelpMap is the BC Family Law Unbundling Roster, filled with legal professionals across BC, who offer “unbundled” services.

This listing is managed directly by Roster Staff. To see full profiles for professionals on the list, which contains information about fee structure, supported languages and more, visit the Roster website here.

What are Unbundled Services?

In short, unbundled legal services means clients pay for some assistance depending on: (1) what they want help with and (2) what they can afford.

Most people would like to have the advice and assistance of a family lawyer, but hiring a lawyer to represent them from beginning to end is often too expensive and makes it difficult to predict total costs.

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. You start by meeting your lawyer and, as a team, make a plan to address your legal problem. The entire matter is broken down into tasks and you choose which tasks you want help with and which ones you will handle on your own. This approach is flexible, and can be adapted to meet your needs including your budget and your comfort level with managing your own legal affairs.

Unbundling is not for everyone. The Roster website has a questionnaire that will help you decide whether it is for you.

What are some examples of Unbundled Services?

For example, if you are representing yourself in court you may want a lawyer’s help with drafting a document or pre-trial advice. If you are resolving your dispute through an out-of-court process like mediation, an unbundled lawyer can provide legal advice before mediation or draft a binding agreement after mediation.

Related Help

Do you know a lawyer or paralegal who is interested in joining?

Send them to this page on the Courthouse Libraries BC website, which offers a Sign Up link to join the BC Family Unbundling Roster, and a toolkit to assist and guide in the provision of unbundled family legal services in a safe and effective way. These core documents have been prepared with the assistance of the Law Society of BC.

Stay informed:

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Alert: Impact of US Executive Order on Canadians Travelling to U.S.

The broader context

On January 27, 2017, the President of the United States signed an Executive Order suspending the entry into the United States of citizens and nationals of seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen.

The travel prohibition is effective immediately for an initial period of 90 days.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

  • Citizens and nationals of seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen will not be admitted into the United States
  • Dual national Canadian citizens presenting a valid Canadian passport are not subject to an automatic ban
  • Temporary residents in Canada from any of the seven countries will not be admitted into the United States
  • Canadian Permanent Residents from any of the seven countries are at heightened risk of being denied entry and detained if travelling to the United States
  • Temporary residents (including students and temporary foreign workers) in Canada who are from any of the seven countries will not be admitted into the United States

UPDATE

The United States Court District of Massachusetts has granted a temporary restraining order permitting travelers to enter into the Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) who would otherwise not be permitted under the Executive Order. Some airlines have begun boarding travelers of the above seven countries as a result.

RESOURCES

  • EY Mobility: immigration alert – A summary of the impact to Canadians.
  • BCCLA Post: Latest: Canadians and the US Travel Ban – Information on the Safe Third Country Agreement
  • ACLU – The American Civil Liberties Union is among several U.S. organizations that are challenging the executive order in court. They are posting updates of developments, though they may not have Canada-specific information.
  • Islamophobia Hotline (BC Specific) – Free confidential legal advice if you feel that you have been discriminated, harassed, or faced violence because you are Muslim or were perceived to be Muslim.

Stay tuned for further developments.
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