Legal Aid
Information about Legal Aid – April 2023
Information gathered by speaking to an intake worker/receptionist at Legal Aid in Vancouver
1. Only a client can speak to apply for a lawyer. Or, once they have a lawyer, only the client can speak to their lawyer or any representative at Legal Aid.
A settlement worker may not apply for a lawyer on behalf of a client.
2. If a client wishes to have a 3rd party be able to speak on their behalf, they, the client must give consent. This is even true of minors. For example, not even the parent of a minor may speak on their behalf or make inquiries without the consent of the minor because the minor is ‘the client’
A lawyer can give authorization to change counsel.
3. If a client has more than one case, consent for a 3rd party representative must be given in each case. For example, one ‘case’ may pertain to immigration and another may be divorce or other.
4. HOW A CLIENT MAY APPLY FOR LEGAL AID:
Phone the call center 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver) or 1-866-577-2525
They will hear a recorded message
If the client speaks English, simply follow the prompts
If the client doesn’t speak English they can stay online until the recorded message offers service in their language. It seems that French, 2 Asian languages (?), Spanish, Punjabi, are offered. Press the button that corresponds to the language offered (ex: for Spanish press 5) – instructions will be given in the language selected.
If the client’s language is not represented, he or she may ask for service in English and then when they connect with a person on the other end they can say (in English):
“Hello, I need (their language) translation”
5. LEGAL NAVIGATORS
Anyone can ask to speak to a legal navigator.
They are not lawyers but rather advocates who can connect people to other resources such as:
housing advocacy
tenant disputes
other legal matters
RESOURCES:
Community Legal Assistant Society (check out website)
Immigration Refugee Legal Clinic (check out website) – based in Vancouver