Tag: Legal Aid

More Help Available for Families Experiencing Separation and Divorce – Sliding Scale Family Mediation Project

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About Mediation Page
Mediation help for separation and divorce

By Kari Boyle
Director of Strategic Initiatives, Mediate BC

Are you going through a separation or divorce? Would you like to avoid the time, money and stress involved with going to court? Mediate BC is a not-for-profit society that provides people with practical, accessible and affordable choices for resolving their disputes. With funding from the Law Foundation of BC, Mediate BC has launched the Sliding Scale Family Mediation Project this Spring to help families experiencing divorce and separation to access mediation services at fees which are set based on the family’s net income and assets/debts.

What are the benefits of mediation?
Family mediators will help you reach decisions about issues such as: property division, child and spousal support, parenting time and guardianship without going to court. This approach promotes a healthy relationship with the participants and any children involved, and can also save you time, money and stress.

How do I get started?
Visit our website or call the Sliding Scale Project Mediation Coordinator, Maria Silva, at 1-877-656-1300 ext. 108 for more information. She will help you decide if this program is the right choice for you.

What if I or my ex-spouse/partner qualify for Legal Aid?
You may be eligible for the Family Mediation Referral Program which provides the first six hours of family mediation services at no charge to your family.  To apply for this service, visit a Legal Aid office or contact the LSS Call Centre.

Below are some of Mediate BC’s other services and resources:
–    About Mediation: information on mediation, including the role of a mediator and how to choose one.
–    Roster Mediator Directories: searchable directories of civil, family, and child protection mediators to assist people in selecting a suitable mediator to resolve their dispute.
–    Public Education and Training: offers free public seminars on mediation and professional development opportunities for dispute resolution practitioners.

LSS Launches Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC Website

New on Clicklaw

Aboriginal Legal Aid in BCLegal Services Society has launched its Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC website, which replaces and expands upon their previous Aboriginal section on the LSS Website. The new website design is built as a result of feedback from the community, making information easy to find.

Information on Aboriginal legal rights is offered in plain language. The new site provides guides on family law, child protection, social assistance on reserve (with the latest rates), the Indian residential schools settlement and wills and estates on reserve. Plain language information also includes Gladue, First Nations Court and harvesting rights.

The above mentioned guides are housed under five main subject tabs with a drop-down menu style for added search convenience: Your Family; Your Legal Rights; Benefits and Services; The Ministry and Your Kids; Legal Aid Can Help

The website interface has an easy-to-read layout with the content pages featuring:

  • Contextual information on publications and who can help.
  • Relevant publications and who can help information are listed right next to the information to which they apply. This gives end users the information they need to help answer their questions without having to search for it.
  • Plain language definitions of complex legal terms are bolded in red; hover your mouse over the term to get the definition which appears in a pop-up window.

Technology plays a large part in our daily lives, and this now includes how we access and use legal information. The Aboriginal Legal Aid in BC website is designed to fit all devices, allowing you to read and navigate the materials on your phone or tablet.