How we're funded

The Legal Services Society (LSS) is an independent, non-profit organization that is primarily funded by the provincial government (see below) and must report financially to the British Columbia legislature but is not part of the government.

We also receive generous support for many of our programs and services from the Law Foundation and Notary Foundation.

Memorandum of Understanding

Every three years, LSS and the Ministry of Attorney General negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets out the roles for both parties, the society's anticipated provincial government funding, and the priorities for how it should be spent. LSS determines the services it will provide within this framework.

For the complete agreement, see the Memorandum of Understanding for 2005 to 2008.

Shareholder's Letter of Expectations

The Shareholder’s Letter of Expectations is a key accountability and governance instrument between the provincial government and Legal Services Society. It is signed by the attorney general and the Legal Services Society board chair.

It serves, together with the Legal Services Society Act and the Memorandum of Understanding, as the basis of agreement between the Shareholder and the Corporation on corporate mandate, including high-level performance expectations, public policy issues, and strategic priorities.

It will be reviewed annually and updated as required.