Applying for legal assistance

You are eligible to apply for legal assistance from the Clinic if:

  • You have filed a human rights complaint with the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and
  • The Tribunal has accepted your complaint and sent you a Notice of Complaint Proceeding

If you have not filed a complaint yet, do not complete the application for legal services. Instead, you can make an appointment for a half-hour of legal assistance with our Short Service Clinic: https://bchrc.net/services/short-service-clinic/

Qualifying for legal assistance

To qualify for legal assistance from the Clinic, you must:

  • Have filed a complaint which has been accepted by the BC Human Rights Tribunal;
  • Have a complaint that appears on its face to be a case of discrimination; and
  • Be unable to obtain assistance from other sources.

The Clinic may consider any of the following factors in deciding whether to accept your application for legal assistance:

  • Your income
  • Any physical, mental, or socio-economic limitations affecting your ability to represent yourself
  • Whether you have applied for assistance in a timely manner (within 30 days of notice from the Tribunal that your complaint has been accepted)
  • Other options available to you to resolve your matter
  • The availability of the Clinic’s resources to provide services to you

Services Provided

Service from the Clinic is not guaranteed. Demand for our free services exceeds our resources, and we cannot assist everyone who applies.

If we agree to assist you, we may offer you:

  • Limited summary advice
  • A 1-2 hour legal consultation
  • Representation at one or more stages of the complaint process

Making an application for legal assistance

Please read this information carefully when making your application for legal services from the Clinic. Any misrepresentation or inaccurate information provided on your application may disqualify you from receiving assistance from the Clinic.

To apply for free legal assistance from the Clinic, complete the online application.

After completing the application, please send a copy of your complaint and the email you received from the Tribunal telling you your complaint is proceeding to [email protected].

Remember that we cannot process your application without confirmation from the Tribunal that your complaint is accepted and proceeding.

Start Application

 

Our intake committee may take 4-6 weeks to assess your application and make a decision on whether we can assist you. Until you receive confirmation of assistance from the Clinic, you remain responsible for all steps in your complaint and meeting any deadlines set by the Tribunal. While you are waiting for us to make our decision, please send us any new documents you receive from the Tribunal or respondents.

To request a hard copy of the application form or any other accommodations you may need, email [email protected] or call 236-996-5539.