More people in BC will soon have a historic level of access to legal aid services, including legal representation through a new family law clinic model and a significant expansion of legal aid eligibility criteria.
The Province, Legal Aid BC (LABC), and Centre for Family Equity (CFE) have worked together to create changes that will increase access to fast and free legal assistance for people.
The new multidisciplinary, trauma-informed family law clinic model will offer in-person and virtual services. Eligible clients will receive the legal representation and related services necessary to meaningfully stabilize their legal situation. The clinic is expected to open before the end of this year, until then, new clients who would be eligible for clinic services once in operation can access an additional 25 hours of legal aid services.
The BC government is investing $29.1M over the next three years to support LABC in implementing these changes.
