We’re pleased to announce that Surrey and Victoria will be home to a new, expanded, and multidisciplinary family law clinic model in BC aimed at providing service to eligible clients experiencing family violence. In addition to offering in-person and virtual services in Surrey and Victoria, some staff will be dedicated to delivering mobile and virtual services to eligible clients in Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Nanaimo, and Duncan.
The locations were chosen based on several factors, including the number of service requests by region (based on current demand data), available staff and accessible office space, population density and the number of equity-seeking groups in the location, and proximity to courts and available legal and other support services. The location choices and virtual services were also informed by input from survivors of family violence and service providers collected during engagement activities in April and May 2024, and published in Legal Aid BC’s What We Heard Report (August 2024).
The new clinic locations are anticipated to be open by the end of the year, and within six months of operations we will evaluate the model to determine if improvements or changes are needed. Our aim is to successfully deliver a family law clinic model that stabilizes the family law matters of our current clients and helps to build support for more family law clinics and services in the future.
