Clicklaw Monthly Roundup: September 2021

We share with you a monthly roundup of changes to Clicklaw’s collection. Here is a summary of updates done in September 2021.

Solve Problems 

BC Ministry of Attorney General

Online FLA Assistant (New)
This website helps you fill out the forms needed to apply for family court orders. They are protection orders, parenting arrangements, child support, contact with a child, guardianship, spousal support, case management, priority parenting matters, relocation of a child, and enforcement.

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner

Hate speech and the law in British Columbia (Newly Added)
This page answers common questions about hate speech based on the laws that are applicable in BC. Includes discriminatory speech, protected characteristics under the Criminal Code and BC’s Human Rights Code, freedom of speech, defending yourself when accused, witnessing hate speech & being a victim.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for BC (OIPC)

Privacy and the BC vaccine card: FAQs (New)
This two-pager tells you how the BC vaccine card and the Public Health Orders work together with the privacy laws in British Columbia. It does so by answering common questions about the implementation and protecting your privacy.

UBC Law Students’ Legal Advice Program (LSLAP)

The LSLAP Manual is used by law students handling cases at the LSLAP program legal clinics. All the chapters have been updated with the latest (2021) edition. See the full listings on Clicklaw.

HelpMap

Courthouse Libraries BC (Updated – new service hours)

Provides legal information services to the public via a network of libraries in BC courthouses. We encourage the public to call (1.800.665.2570) or email (librarian@courthouselibrary.ca) before visiting our library – we can provide many services this way and can save you time. Libraries provides access to staff expertise, the print and digital legal collections and public access computers. To arrange a visit of up to one hour, contact your local library.

Rise Women’s Legal Centre

Equality Law Clinic (New)
Free legal services in the area of replacing/applying for government ID (birth certificates), name or gender change on ID documents (incl. reclaiming Indigenous names), helping with police or human rights complaints, and notarization of documents. Volunteer lawyers and trained law students deliver all legal services, except for notarizations, which may be delivered by other qualified Rise staff. Make an appointment by online form, phone, or email.

Social Security Tribunal of Canada

Social Security Tribunal: Navigators (Newly added)
A navigator helps people who don’t have a professional representative, like a lawyer. These specialized staff guide you through the appeal process, explain the role of everyone involved, help you prepare for your hearing, and answer your questions. They cannot give you legal advice, speak for you, be your representative, be at your hearing, or refer you to a specific representative.

Common Questions


Stay up to date with the latest in public legal education and information in British Columbia. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.

Stay informed:

01_Clicklaw_30px
01_Twitter_30px
01_Linkedin_30px
01_Website_30px
FB-f-Logo__blue_29
Make-A-Will Week in BC, October 3-9 2021. Wills Resources Guide: http://bit.ly/CLBCwills.

Make-A-Will Week 2021

This week (October 3-9) is Make-a-Will Week in British Columbia. The provincial government designates the week to encourage everyone to write their will or update an existing one.

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 with 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.

What’s new?

Remote witnessing of will signing has been a permanent part of BC law since 2020. Here’s what the provincial government says about what’s coming soon:

“Starting December 1, 2021 changes will also give electronic wills the same recognition as physical wills. Wills soon will be able to be signed and stored electronically. While all formats of electronic will are acceptable, people are strongly encouraged to save their freshly made wills in PDF format, to make the probate process as easy as possible for their executor.”

Make a Will week, Province of British Columbia.

Printable handouts

For a quick overview, this one-pager for everyone (PDF) comes in handy. The handout is also available for public librarians & community helpers (PDF), and 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.

What events are available?

Below are non-profit organizations holding free or low-cost events to help you understand various topics around wills and personal planning.

Nidus

  • Nidus is currently the only community-based resource in Canada devoted to personal planning. This organization also operates a centralized Registry for personal planning documents in partnership with Juricert Inc. of the Law Society of British Columbia.
  • Free online presentations on personal planning are available throughout October and November. 

People’s Law School

Plan Institute

  • 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.
  • Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning workshops are available throughout the year for $25 per person.

Want to share the Wills & Personal Planning Resources page? Use this short redirect URL: http://bit.ly/CLBCwills.


Stay up to date with the latest in public legal education and information in British Columbia. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.

Stay informed:

01_Clicklaw_30px01_Twitter_30px01_Linkedin_30px01_Website_30pxFB-f-Logo__blue_29