Legal Aid BC launches new Family Law Centre program

Legal Aid BC (LABC) is pleased to announce the official launch of the new Family Law Centre (FLC) program. The program is free and helps to address legal and non-legal issues for survivors of family violence by providing legal representation and other support services. 

The FLC program is the result of a $29-million legal aid expansion for survivors of family violence which was first announced in February 2024.

“The legal aid expansion is aimed at helping the most vulnerable survivors of family violence with their complex needs,” said Salman Azam, interim CEO of LABC. ​“The multidisciplinary approach of providing legal and non-legal services through the Family Law Centre program will improve access to justice and offer better support to people leaving dangerous situations.”

The program features two physical locations — in Surrey and Victoria — and offers in-person and virtual services to clients in these communities and the surrounding areas. In addition, staff in Surrey will deliver dedicated mobile and virtual services in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Prince George, while clinic staff in Victoria will deliver dedicated mobile and virtual services to Nanaimo and Duncan on Vancouver Island. 

The FLC is staffed by the full-time equivalent of eight lawyers, eight advocates, four paralegals, and four administrative support staff. FLC lawyers can provide eligible clients full legal representation to stabilize their family law issues. FLC advocates are the main point of contact for clients, attend client meetings and appointments, and connect clients with other services such as counselling, Indigenous cultural supports, parenting support programs, settlement services, and victim services.

The FLC locations reflect data which identified the greatest number of eligible clients with complex needs. The locations and services were also informed by input from survivors and service providers which was collected during engagement activities in the spring of 2024 and published in LABC’s What We Heard Report (August 2024). 

“I know I speak on behalf of everyone involved in the development and implementation of the new Family Law Centre program when I say how grateful we are to the survivors of family violence and the service providers who support them for sharing their knowledge and experiences with us,” said Azam. ​“As part of our commitment to our clients and other service providers, we will be evaluating the program over the coming months to determine if any improvements are necessary — with an overarching goal of building support for more FLC locations and services in the future.”

In addition to the FLC program, the legal aid expansion includes an expansion of legal aid financial eligibility, expansion of representation hours for eligible clients and improved access to legal assistance through an increase in intake staff. 

Anyone wishing to access the FLC program is encouraged to contact LABC directly. Intake staff are available to help assess legal issues and determine whether an individual is eligible for the FLC program or other LABC services.