Areas of the Law
To educate yourself about the law, the cases and the possible arguments in your case, you will have to do some legal research; this can be a long, complicated process. You will have to collect information from various places and, if you have access, from websites. Here are a few basic resources to start with:
Dial-a-Law (Canadian Bar Association, BC)
Call and listen to recordings of legal information on over 120 topics, or read
them online. Information available in English, Chinese and Punjabi.
Legal Services Society
Legal Aid offices and this website have information on several areas of law and procedure to follow in court.
Family Law Website (Legal Services Society)
This website provides general information about family law, self-help kits about divorce, custody applications and support orders, as well as information on child protection and removal issues.
BC Ministry of Attorney General
Booklets are available in most courthouses and agencies on several topics, including: bail, divorce, interpreters, Small Claims Court, trial procedure, and wills & estates. The website has information on the court system, Small Claims Court process, family issues including Family Maintenance Enforcement, dispute resolution, and human rights protection.
Family Law Assistance Services (Government of Canada) and Child Support Guidelines website (Government of Canada)
Both of these websites provide information in the area of family law, including the child support guidelines and the enforcement of family orders.
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development
This website provides some information on family law.
The People's Law School
The People's Law School has printed information on family law and information on various topics on their website. The offices are located at 150 - 900 Howe Street in Vancouver.
Law Courts Education Society
Printed legal information on the court system in general, and information in six languages for unrepresented accused is available on the website. The head office is located at 260 - 800 Hornby Street in Vancouver, and various programs operate at different court locations.