LawLINE

If you have a legal question that is not answered by the information on this website, try contacting one of the free phone services of the Legal Services Society (LSS) designed to help people who don't qualify for a legal aid lawyer to represent them.

LawLINE is one of these free phone services. LawLINE provides legal advice and information to people who qualify financially and have a legal issue we cover.

All callers to LSS telephone services have an initial interview in which our staff ask questions to determine eligibility for our services. Our services are provided in English. If callers cannot communicate with our staff in English and cannot call with someone who can interpret for them, we can arrange for an interpreter. Callers can also access recorded messages about our services in six languages: Cantonese, English, French, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Spanish.

Callers who are eligible for legal advice are transferred to the LawLINE, where lawyers and paralegals will provide advice and information.

LawLINE services are available for:

  • Access
  • Child and spousal support
  • Child protection
  • Custody
  • Divorce
  • Guardianship
  • Property division

Note: Callers from locations that have in-person advice services will be referred to those services.

LawLINE may also be able to help with other areas of law that are sometimes related to family matters, including housing, debt, and income security. For more information, see the LawLINE page on the LSS website.

Do I qualify?

LawLINE's advice services are for people with low incomes. To be eligible, you must meet the financial guidelines for legal advice services.

Before you call us

It is a good idea to have the following information with you before you call us:

  • Identification, such as a CareCard, Social Insurance Number, or driver's licence
  • Any documents related to your legal issue, such as:
    • court papers
    • notices
    • separation agreement

Calling LawLINE

  • LawLINE services are time-limited. Most callers will receive advice in one call. Additional calls may be necessary depending on the circumstances of the case.
  • LawLINE is a popular service. You may have to wait for several minutes to talk to us, so we suggest you call on a land line instead of using your cell phone. Please be patient. You will be served faster if you wait than if you hang up and call again.
  • Days when call volume is very high, LawLINE may stop taking calls before regular closing times.
  • LawLINE is unable to respond to voice messages or e-mail requests for legal information or advice.

Note: LawLINE provides advice and information on British Columbia law only, and does not replace a lawyer who represents you in court. If you need a lawyer for something we cannot help you with, try the Lawyer Referral Service of the Canadian Bar Association, BC branch at 604-687-3221 or 1-800-663-1919 (call no charge). LawLINE cannot give advice if you already have a lawyer.