Dial-A-Law has changed—and it’s
now easier to use than ever.
Dial-A-Law began as a way to
access BC legal information by telephone, featuring recordings written and
edited by volunteer lawyers.
Now, Dial-A-Law has been relaunched with a modern, user-friendly website. https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/ is a great one-stop shop for helping people start solving their legal problems.
What’s new
The new site still cover legal
topics in over 130 areas, and its information is still regularly reviewed by
lawyers—but now it’s easier than ever to use. All its content is available on
the site, in a new format that’s easy to scan. The text has been rewritten at a
7th grade level, making it accessible to a broader range of readers. And audio
recordings are available on each page, assisting anyone who needs a little
extra help absorbing the information.
And all this information is still
available by phone, with simplified recordings that are now easier to navigate.
When and how to access Dial-A-Law
The first step of solving a legal
problem is understanding the law. Using clear, direct language, Dial-A-Law
focuses on what people can do about their legal problems, and makes a great
starting point for questions about BC law.
Dial-A-Law can be accessed online at dialalaw.ca or by phone at 1-800-565-5297 (604-687-4680 in the Lower Mainland). Also find it on Clicklaw and Clicklaw Wikibooks.
About People’s Law School
Funded by the Law Foundation of BC, Dial-A-Law was previously operated by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch. It was redesigned by People’s Law School, 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 digitalplatforms, in booklets and through classes in communities around BC.
On April 1, 2019, the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) started resolving many motor vehicle injury (MVI) personal injury disputes in British Columbia. This includes determinations of whether an injury is a “minor injury”, disputes about accident benefits, and disputes about damages and fault up to $50,000. The Solution Explorer is the first step in the online CRT process, with free legal information and tools.
This guide outlines the steps that are required to order court transcripts in each province/territory. It is a compilation of information obtained from court websites, telephone & email conversations with court services/transcript services at different courthouses, and from legal professionals.
Unbundling Legal Services Infographic – this new poster explains what unbundled legal services are, and where people can find lawyers offering these services.
How to Appeal Your Sentence – New edition. Step-by-step guide for appealing a sentence for people who may or may not be in custody.
How to Appeal Your Conviction – New edition. Step-by-step guide for appealing a conviction for people who may or may not be in custody.
Your Welfare Rights: When You’re on Welfare – Includes what the ministry might ask you to do, what might happen if you don’t follow the ministry’s rules, income and assets you can have on welfare, your employment-related responsibilities, and how to appeal a ministry decision.
A Second Chance: A Gladue Rights Story – this new graphic novel tells the story of Myra, who is charged with assault with a weapon. Myra learns about her legal rights and, with the help of Legal Aid, gets a Gladue report for her sentencing hearing.
Clear Skies: A Family Violence Story – this new graphic novel tells the story of Marnie and her kids who live with family violence. With the support of her community, and by learning her legal options, Marnie is able to leave an abusive relationship
Mediate BC has launched a new website, providing an easy way to learn everything you need to know about mediation, and help you find the right mediator. The updated listings on Clicklaw include:
Being an Executor – this updated booklet is for people who have been asked to be an executor in a will.
Power of Attorney – this updated booklet tells you how a power of attorney can be used to give someone the legal power to take care of financial and legal matters for you.
Preparing Your Will – this updated publication explains how to prepare a will, what to consider when appointing an executor, and next steps after the will is finished.
Essentials of Work & the Law (formerly Working in BC) – this updated booklet offers information about your rights & responsibilities as a worker.
Unbundled Legal Services – this new website helps the public understand “unbundling”, a new service model for law in British Columbia.
Provides free and low-cost legal services to self-identified women who live outside of the geographic zone from Whistler to Chilliwack (inclusive). The clinic offers a range of services, including information and summary advice, document drafting, and legal coaching for self-represented litigants.
This new drop-in legal clinic provides legal help for young people who are experiencing problems relating to family law, child protection, a breach of your human rights and many other legal issues.
Dispute Resolution Education – education and coaching workshops regarding separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, support and division of property and debt.
Pro Bono Estate Planning – estate planning assistance for low-income individuals who want to ensure that they have a valid will and all documents (incl. Power of Attorney & Representation Agreement) in place to handle their financial & personal matters should they not be able to.
Pro Bono Family Mediation – family mediation for low income individuals with concerns in the areas of property division, support and custody.
Project Inclusion is a comprehensive study into the ways in which specific laws and policies in policing, health care, and the court system directly undermine the health and safety of people who are homeless and living with substance use issues by trapping them in a cycle of criminalization.
This comprehensive report is based on the lived experience, leadership, and expertise of Indigenous survivors. The report places Indigenous women survivors at the center, rather than as a secondary reference. It proposes 35 key recommendations and goes into more details in its 200 recommendations.
