Making Unbundled Legal Services More Accessible for British Columbians

Community posts

by People’s Law School

You may have heard of  “unbundling”—a new way for people to hire and work with a lawyer. Traditionally, a person hires a lawyer to handle every part of a matter. With unbundling, a client and lawyer can pick and choose what parts the lawyer handles, and which parts the client handles. Because the lawyer only does some of the work, it can be much more affordable than hiring a lawyer in the traditional way. 

Unbundling has been legal in BC since 2008, but until now, it’s been hard to find practical information about how it works.

This spring, People’s Law School launched Unbundled Legal Services, a website that explains unbundling for the public. It’s your definitive source for user-friendly information on unbundled legal services for family cases in BC. You can also find it on Clicklaw.

Here’s what you’ll find on Unbundled Legal Services:

  • A quiz that helps people decide if unbundling is a good fit for their situation
  • A link to list of lawyers who offer unbundled family law services in BC
  • Instructions on how to start working on an unbundled legal matter
  • Lots of great, practical tips for working with a lawyer 

Help up spread the word 

Unbundling is an emerging idea that needs support. If you want to tell people about unbundling, share the site with them—or order our pamphlet, free of charge, at https://www.crownpub.bc.ca/Product/Listing/17437_People-s-Law-School

For lawyers

If you’re a family lawyer, check out the following resources:

  • Unbundling Your Family Law Practice – a webinar recording. The presenters JP Boyd, Zahra Jimale and Kari Boyle provided practical tips on providing unbundled services to your clients and helped you to explore the BC Family Law Unbundling Roster, the Family Law Unbundling Toolkit, and other resources.
  • Family Law Unbundling Toolkit. Access the Family Lawyer Toolkit and get information about unbundling, helpful retainer letter templates, checklists, flowcharts, and more.

About People’s Law School

People's Law School's logo

Founded in 1972, People’s Law School is a non-profit society dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. We provide free education and information to help people effectively deal with the legal problems of daily life.

Our resources are available in a variety of formats to meet the needs of people: on the web and other digital platforms, in booklets and longer-format publications, and through classes in communities around BC.

Stay informed:

01_Clicklaw_30px 01_Twitter_30px 01_Website_30px FB-f-Logo__blue_29

Helping Clients with Going to BC Provincial Court? This One’s for You

New on Clicklaw

Do you refer clients to resources about small claims, family court, or criminal court? Clicklaw has updated the handouts that could help you share these key resources. Check out the Provincial Court Resources for Everyone.

Where to get them & what’s new

Follow the links below, click “Download PDF handout”, then print & distribute the handouts:

  • Family Court: bit.ly/clicklawpcf (the new Family Law in BC website added)
  • Small Claims: bit.ly/clicklawpcs (the new Guide to Small Claims Court from BC Provincial Court added)
  • Criminal Court: bit.ly/clicklawpcc (details for criminal law resources from LSS and JES updated)

The handouts give a brief overview of the resources and direct readers to the short URL (bit.ly) given at the bottom of the page. The links resolve to Clicklaw’s Common Questions pages for more details.

Please share with your clients to help them better understand the court process.

New Small Claims Court Guide

Logo of BC Provincial Court

The handouts also include some great resources from the BC Provincial Court, including the new Small Claims Court Guide. Using a fictional sample problem, it explains the Small Claims Court process and includes claimants’ guide, defendants’ guide, and sample documents for both. Read more about it from BC Provincial Court’s eNews.

Background

In 2015, we worked with the BC Provincial Court and the Clicklaw Steering Committee to create three special Common Questions pages and handouts. The intention was to guide Self-Represented Litigants to resources specific to Family Court, Criminal Court and Small Claims Court. We have updated the handouts throughout the years, with help from our contributors.

Acknowledgement

Thank you to everyone who made this happen. This July 2019 version is based on recent feedback from our contributors at the BC Provincial Court, Justice Education Society, Legal Services Society, and People’s Law School.

Send us feedback

Have you used any of them with your clients? Have any comments you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. Email us.

Stay informed:

01_Clicklaw_30px01_Twitter_30px01_Linkedin_30px01_Website_30pxFB-f-Logo__blue_29