British Columbia Legal Hotline — Free Legal Information

Need legal help in British Columbia right now?

Our free legal-information line is live for British Columbia — you can call now, any hour, and this page is built to help you too. Tell our AI legal assistant what's happening — an impaired-driving stop in Vancouver, a roadside prohibition in Surrey, an eviction notice in Victoria, a custody dispute, a child-protection visit — and get clear legal information on how BC and Canadian law work and what your options are, asking as many questions as you like. That's legal information, not legal advice on your specific case, and using the service won't create a lawyer-client relationship. A paid consultation with a lawyer licensed in British Columbia is coming soon if you decide you want representation. If you've been arrested or detained today, say as little as possible to police, ask to speak to a lawyer, and call Legal Aid BC's free 24-hour Brydges Line at 1-866-458-5500.

Choose your area of law in British Columbia

Criminal Law →

Charged with an offence in British Columbia? Most criminal charges start in the Provincial Court of BC. The Criminal Code is federal law, so your rights are the same in Vancouver or Fort St. John — learn them before you talk to anyone.

Impaired Driving →

BC calls it impaired driving or 'over 80', not DUI. The criminal limit is 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood — but BC's Immediate Roadside Prohibition scheme can suspend your licence on the spot in the 0.05 'warn' range, with no criminal charge. Understand both before your court date.

Family Law →

Divorce runs under the federal Divorce Act; parenting, child and spousal support, and property division for most families fall under BC's Family Law Act. Cases run through the Provincial Court of BC or the Supreme Court of BC depending on the issue.

Immigration Law →

Immigration is federal. Get clear information on permanent residence, work and study permits, refugee claims, detention, and removal under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act — wherever you are in British Columbia.

Employment Law →

BC's Employment Standards Act sets minimum rights, but common-law notice on termination can be far larger. Wrongful dismissal, unpaid wages, and human-rights complaints all have remedies — find out where you stand before you sign anything.

Civil Law →

Most civil claims in BC carry a two-year limitation period under the Limitation Act, and the deadline can pass before you realise it. The Civil Resolution Tribunal handles claims up to $5,000; Provincial Court small claims run up to $35,000; larger claims go to the Supreme Court.

How it works

Call the Legal Hotline free, day or night — no form, no income test, no waiting for business hours. The AI assistant answers live when you call.

Tell our AI legal assistant what's happening, and ask as many questions as you like. It's trained on BC and Canadian law and gives you clear legal information about your situation — not legal advice on your specific case.

If you want a lawyer, a paid consultation with one licensed in British Columbia is coming soon. Connecting you with counsel will be a separate paid service.

The law in British Columbia

British Columbia is a common-law province, and knowing which court or tribunal hears your problem is the first hurdle. There are two trial courts. The Provincial Court of BC is the busiest, first-level court: nearly every criminal charge in the province starts here, and it also handles youth criminal matters, traffic and provincial-offence cases, most family disputes other than divorce and property, child-protection applications, and small claims up to $35,000. The Supreme Court of BC is the province's superior trial court, with inherent jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters; it has sole authority over divorce and the division of family property, hears the most serious criminal trials, large civil claims, and some appeals from the Provincial Court.

Above the trial courts sits the Court of Appeal for BC, the province's highest court, which hears appeals from the Supreme Court and certain Provincial Court decisions. Beyond British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada is the final court of appeal for the entire country, though it hears only a small number of cases, usually with leave. A point that trips many people up: a great deal of everyday BC dispute resolution doesn't happen in a 'court' at all. The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) — Canada's first online tribunal — resolves small claims up to $5,000, most strata (condo) disputes, and many motor-vehicle injury matters, while the Residential Tenancy Branch, not a courtroom, decides most evictions.

The substantive law is split between two levels of government, and this division matters. Criminal law — including impaired driving, assault, and theft — is federal, set out in the Criminal Code and applied the same way across every province and territory. Divorce is also federal, under the Divorce Act. But a great deal of the law that shapes daily life is provincial: BC's Family Law Act (parenting, support, and property for most couples), the Residential Tenancy Act (renting), the Employment Standards Act (work), the Motor Vehicle Act (licensing and roadside prohibitions), and the Limitation Act, which sets the deadlines for suing. Whatever your issue, the Legal Hotline will be able to explain in plain English how this system applies to you — that's legal information, not legal advice — and connect you with a BC-licensed lawyer if you need one.

Court Structure

Provincial Court of BC — most criminal charges, youth, traffic, most family & child protection, small claims to $35,000
Supreme Court of BC — civil, serious criminal, divorce & family property, some appeals
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) — online: small claims to $5,000, strata & most motor-vehicle injury disputes
Court of Appeal for BC — the province's highest court
Supreme Court of Canada — final appeal for the whole country

Key Laws

Criminal Code of Canada (federal — impaired driving, assault, theft)
Divorce Act (federal — divorce, parenting after divorce)
BC Family Law Act (parenting, support & property for most couples)
Residential Tenancy Act (renting & evictions)
Employment Standards Act
Motor Vehicle Act (licensing & Immediate Roadside Prohibitions)
Limitation Act (two-year basic deadline to sue)

Key Bodies

Law Society of British Columbia (regulates lawyers)
Legal Aid BC (legalaid.bc.ca)
Residential Tenancy Branch (most evictions)
Civil Resolution Tribunal (online small claims, strata, MVA)

In BC, a Roadside Breath Test Can Cost You Your Licence for 90 Days Before Any Conviction

Most people assume you're only in trouble if you blow over the criminal limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood. Not in British Columbia. Under the Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) scheme in the Motor Vehicle Act, a single roadside reading on an Approved Screening Device can suspend your licence on the spot — with no criminal charge and no day in court. A 'warn' reading (a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.05 to 0.079) draws an immediate prohibition that can run from 3 days to 30 days for repeat readings. A 'fail' reading (0.08 or higher), or refusing to provide a sample, draws a 90-day prohibition, plus vehicle impoundment, financial penalties, and a remedial program — administrative consequences that are separate from, and on top of, any criminal prosecution under the Criminal Code. What you say and do at the roadside matters enormously, and the window to dispute an IRP is very short. Call the Legal Hotline in British Columbia for free information on how impaired-driving law works here — a paid lawyer consultation is coming soon if you need one.

Free & low-cost legal help in British Columbia

British Columbia has a real network of free and low-cost legal help, but most of it runs on business hours and income tests. These organizations are genuinely useful for civil problems like eviction, income support, and family matters — just know they can be slow and eligibility-gated. The Legal Hotline is designed to be different: instant, free legal information with no income test. We're not live in BC yet, but these are real, currently available British Columbia resources worth knowing right now.

Legal Aid BC

The province's publicly funded legal-aid provider, offering representation and advice to financially eligible low-income British Columbians in criminal, family, child-protection, and immigration/refugee matters. Its free, 24-hour Brydges Line (1-866-458-5500) gives emergency criminal-law advice to anyone arrested, detained, or under police investigation in BC. Eligibility for ongoing legal aid is based on income and the type of legal problem.

Access Pro Bono

A non-profit that runs free legal advice clinics across British Columbia for people with low or modest incomes, including summary-advice clinics, family law, wills and estates, and a Court of Appeal program. Call 604-878-7400 in the Lower Mainland or 1-877-762-6664 elsewhere in BC to find a clinic or request help.

Dial-A-Law (People's Law School)

A free service from the People's Law School offering clear, plain-language information on more than 130 everyday legal topics — criminal, family, housing, employment, and more — online and by phone (1-800-565-5297). A strong first stop for understanding your rights before you spend money on a lawyer.

Clicklaw

A free website that brings together legal information, education, and help from many trusted BC organizations in one place, with a HelpMap that points you to local services. Useful for finding the right free or low-cost legal resource for your specific problem and where you live.

Legal Hotline covers all of British Columbia

Wherever you are in British Columbia, the line is free and answered 24/7 — including:

VancouverSurreyBurnabyRichmondVictoriaAbbotsfordCoquitlamKelownaLangleyNanaimo

Frequently asked questions — British Columbia

Is there a free legal hotline in British Columbia I can call right now?

Yes. The Legal Hotline is live in British Columbia — call our free line any hour and an AI legal assistant gives you clear legal information about BC and Canadian law, with no income test and as many questions as you like. It's legal information, not legal advice, and it doesn't create a lawyer-client relationship. Other real BC resources can also help: Legal Aid BC runs a free, 24-hour Brydges Line (1-866-458-5500) for anyone arrested, detained, or under investigation, and provides representation to financially eligible people; Dial-A-Law from the People's Law School (1-800-565-5297) offers free plain-language legal information; and Access Pro Bono runs free advice clinics across the province. A paid consultation with a BC-licensed lawyer is coming soon if you want one.

I was just arrested in British Columbia. What should I do tonight?

Stay calm, identify yourself if required, and say as little as possible beyond that — then clearly tell police you want to speak to a lawyer and stop talking. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms you have the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay and the right to remain silent, and police must give you a reasonable chance to call a lawyer. Legal Aid BC runs a free, 24-hour Brydges Line for people who are arrested, detained, or under investigation: 1-866-458-5500. You can also call the Legal Hotline free for clear information on how BC criminal process — bail, first appearance, disclosure — works; a paid consultation with a criminal defence lawyer is coming soon if you want one.

What's the difference between impaired driving and an Immediate Roadside Prohibition in BC?

They're two different things that can both happen after the same traffic stop. Impaired driving and 'over 80' are criminal offences under the federal Criminal Code — 'impaired' means your ability to drive was affected by alcohol or drugs, while 'over 80' means your blood-alcohol concentration was at or above 80 mg per 100 mL of blood (0.08). Separately, BC's Motor Vehicle Act lets police issue an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP) on the spot: a 'warn' reading of 0.05–0.079 draws a 3-to-30-day prohibition, and a 'fail' of 0.08 or over (or refusing a sample) draws a 90-day prohibition, plus vehicle impoundment and penalties — all before any conviction, and with a very short window to dispute it. Call the Legal Hotline for free information on how both work; a paid lawyer consultation is coming soon if you want to challenge it.

I got an eviction notice in British Columbia — how much time do I have?

In British Columbia, most residential evictions are handled by the Residential Tenancy Branch, not a court. A landlord must serve you the correct written notice for the reason (for example, a 10-day notice for unpaid rent), and you usually have a short, strict window to either pay or dispute the notice by applying to the Branch for a hearing — miss it and the notice can take effect. You generally cannot be lawfully removed without an order and, ultimately, a court bailiff, so don't ignore the papers and don't move out just because you got a notice. Call the Legal Hotline free for clear information on how the process works; the Residential Tenancy Branch, TRAC (the Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre), and Access Pro Bono can also help you understand and respond in time.

A child-protection worker is investigating my family in BC. Can I get help?

Yes, and you should get advice early. In British Columbia, child-protection matters are brought by the Ministry of Children and Family Development under the Child, Family and Community Service Act and heard in the Provincial Court of BC, often on tight timelines, with early hearings that shape what follows. You generally have the right to a lawyer, and Legal Aid BC may provide one if you qualify financially — its Brydges and family services can point you in the right direction. You can also call the Legal Hotline free for clear legal information about how the child-protection process works and your rights as a parent — that's information, not advice on your specific case — and a paid consultation with a family-law lawyer is coming soon if you want representation.

How long do I have to sue someone in British Columbia?

For most civil claims, BC's Limitation Act sets a basic limitation period of two years from the day you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the claim — not necessarily the day the event happened. There is also an ultimate limitation period of 15 years from the act or omission, regardless of discovery. Some claims have different rules, and missing the deadline usually means you lose the right to sue entirely, so timing is critical. The Civil Resolution Tribunal handles claims up to $5,000, Provincial Court small claims run up to $35,000, and larger claims go to the Supreme Court of BC. Call the Legal Hotline free for information on how limitation periods apply to your situation; a paid lawyer consultation is coming soon if you need one.

How is the Legal Hotline different from a lawyer or legal aid?

We're built to be a fast first step, not a law firm. When you call the Legal Hotline in British Columbia, our AI legal assistant gives you general legal information about BC and Canadian law instantly — but it does not give legal advice on your specific case, is not a substitute for a licensed lawyer, and using it won't create a lawyer-client relationship. Legal Aid BC and pro bono clinics offer free help but screen by income and operate mostly in business hours. If you decide you want a lawyer, a separate paid service is coming soon: booking a consultation with someone licensed in British Columbia. You'll get answers fast now, plus a clear path to representation once paid consultations launch.

Does the Criminal Code apply the same way across Canada?

Yes. Criminal law in Canada is federal, so the Criminal Code applies the same way in British Columbia as it does in every other province and territory — the offences and maximum penalties for things like impaired driving, assault, and theft don't change when you cross a provincial border. What does vary is how cases are administered locally: which court hears them, local police and Crown practices, and provincial penalties layered on top, such as BC's Immediate Roadside Prohibitions for impaired driving under the Motor Vehicle Act. The Legal Hotline is trained on both the federal Criminal Code and BC's provincial laws, so the information you get when you call reflects how things actually work where you are.

Can the Legal Hotline help me with an immigration or refugee matter in BC?

Immigration and refugee law is federal, governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and decided by bodies like Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Immigration and Refugee Board — so the core rules are the same across Canada. Call the Legal Hotline free in British Columbia for clear legal information on permanent residence, work and study permits, refugee claims, detention, and removal — that's information, not legal advice on your case. Legal Aid BC also provides immigration and refugee help to those who qualify. If you want representation, a paid consultation with a lawyer licensed in British Columbia is coming soon.

How do I get a lawyer in British Columbia if I can't afford one?

Start with the free and low-cost options. For criminal charges, Legal Aid BC may issue a certificate or provide duty counsel if you qualify financially; if you've been arrested or detained, call the free 24-hour Brydges Line at 1-866-458-5500. For civil and family problems, Access Pro Bono runs free advice clinics across the province (604-878-7400 in the Lower Mainland, or 1-877-762-6664 elsewhere), and Dial-A-Law and Clicklaw offer free legal information online and by phone. The Legal Hotline adds instant, free legal information with no income test when you call — and the option to book a BC-licensed lawyer for a paid consultation is coming soon.

British Columbia Lawyers: Join Our Network Ahead of Paid Consultations

Are you licensed in British Columbia and ready for new clients? Our free legal-information line is already live across Canada, and we're building our British Columbia network of lawyers ahead of launching a paid-consultation service — connecting people in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria, Kelowna, and beyond with lawyers for paid consultations. Register your interest now to receive matched referrals in your practice areas when paid consultations go live — criminal, family, immigration, employment, civil, and more.

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Last updated: 10 June 2026. Reviewed by the Legal Hotline Editorial Team.

General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy against current Canadian federal and provincial law. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at [email protected].

Free Legal Information for British Columbia.