Do I need a lawyer to go to court in BC?
No. You are not required to have a lawyer to go to court in BC. Many people represent themselves, especially for small claims, family, or tribunal matters.
Having a lawyer can make the process easier and improve your chances of success, particularly in complex cases. See "How can I get free or low cost legal help?" and "How do I find a BC lawyer or legal clinic near me?".
The Justice Education Society (JES) publishes a series Online Help Guides.
- SmallClaimsBC.ca (opens in a new tab)
- SupremeCourtBC.ca (opens in a new tab)
- CourtofAppealBC.ca (opens in a new tab)
- FamilyLawinBC.ca (opens in a new tab)
- AdminLawBC.ca (opens in a new tab)
Each year, LegalHelpBC responds to thousands of questions from the public. And we can help you learn more about your rights and options: Ask a Human or Ask AI.
Others found these helpful...
- Ask a Human / Ask AI (opens in a new tab)
LegalHelpBC provides free legal help, responding to inquiries by Legal Navigators (Ask a Human) or the JES AI chatbot (Ask AI).
- LegalAid.bc.ca (opens in a new tab)
Provides free lawyers to income qualified clients for specific legal issues.
- Clicklaw (opens in a new tab)
An online hub for legal information covering a broad range of legal issues from BC organizations. Law librarians respond to thousands of legal questions each year.
- AccessProbono.ca (opens in a new tab)
Provides a range of legal advice services on a wide range of legal issues, including family, immigration, criminal, debt, employment, welfare and housing matters.
- Peoples Law School (opens in a new tab)
The PLS website provides a range of legal help information, especially for consumer law, debt, wills, etc.
- Lawyer Referral Service (opens in a new tab)
The service from Access Pro Bono helps you find a lawyer. Call or book online to get the name of a local lawyer to talk to for 15 minutes for free.
- BC Provincial Court (opens in a new tab)
This court deals with a broad range of legal issues, and their website can help you navigate cases relating to crime, family, Small Claims (lawsuits), tickets and more.
- PovNET (opens in a new tab)
Provides a directory of BC poverty and family law advocates and pro bono lawyers working on issues like housing, income, employment, immigration, etc.
- BC Criminal Justice Services (opens in a new tab)
This division of the BC government provides a range of information and services to assist British Columbians with their criminal law issue.
- Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) (opens in a new tab)
Provides free legal assistance on loss of housing, human rights complaints, mental health law, accessing government benefits, work-related issues, and sexual assault.
- BC Family Justice Services (opens in a new tab)
This division of the BC government provides a range of information and services to assist British Columbians with their family law issue.
- Amici Curiae (AC) Friends of Court (opens in a new tab)
Volunteers provide free help with legal forms and appearances for a series of issues including housing, income support, aboriginal law, and transgender issues.