Duty counsel lawyers for criminal and immigration law matters

Criminal

If you can't get a legal aid lawyer and you are charged with a crime, you may be able to get help from duty counsel in Provincial Court. Duty counsel are lawyers paid by the Legal Services Society to provide legal services to accused people whether they are in and out of custody.

Duty counsel can provide you with advice about:

  • the charges against you,
  • court procedures, and
  • your legal rights (including the right to counsel and the right to apply for legal aid).

Duty counsel can also represent you at a bail hearing, and, if there is time, help with a guilty plea. While you don't have to be financially eligible to get criminal duty counsel services, you must meet LSS coverage and financial eligibility requirements to receive ongoing representation.

Immigration

LSS provides duty counsel for people in detention at the Canada Border Services Agency's enforcement centre in Vancouver. Duty counsel provide detainees with advice regarding procedures and their legal rights, and may appear on their behalf at detention hearings. Clients do not have to meet LSS financial eligibility requirements to receive these services.