Family duty counsel (family lawyers)
Family duty counsel are lawyers paid by LSS to help people with low incomes deal with their family law problems. If you have a family law issue, you may qualify for help from family duty counsel in Provincial or Supreme Court even if you do not qualify for a legal aid lawyer.
In Provincial Court
In Supreme Court
In Provincial Court
Family duty counsel can help you with family law matters, including child protection issues (if the Ministry of Children and Family Development becomes involved with your family).
Duty counsel can give you advice and speak on your behalf in court on simple matters. However, they will not take on your whole case and will not represent you at a trial. They can also attend family case conferences at some courts.
Duty counsel may be able to help you even if you are not financially eligible. See Do I qualify for legal advice? on the LSS website.
Call your local legal aid office to find out when the service is available.
Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis in various locations. For more information, and a list of locations and hours, see How to find Provincial Court family duty counsel on the LSS website.
In Supreme Court
If you are a person with a low income experiencing separation or divorce, you may be eligible for up to three hours of free legal advice from Supreme Court family duty counsel.
Duty counsel are lawyers who can provide advice about custody, access, guardianship, and child support; property (limited); tentative settlement agreements; and court procedures. Duty counsel can also assist you in C A name for a Supreme Court courtroom where applications (not trials) are heard. hambers if the matter is simple, unopposed, or by consent. They can also attend judicial case conferences at some courts.
Duty counsel may be able to help you even if you are not financially eligible. See Do I qualify for legal advice? on the LSS website.
Duty counsel are available by appointment or on a drop-in basis in various locations. For more information, and a list of locations and hours, see How to find Supreme Court family duty counsel on the LSS website.
