Online Publications & Resources for Immigrant Women

This is a list of legal publications and resources that are available online through external websites; they are helpful for immigrant women who are negotiating the legal system in BC.

As a project that has been in development over the past 5 years, Vancouver Community College, has developed an online glossary of legal and court-related terms in plain language (English), Farsi (Persian), Chinese, Punjabi, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese.

The 5,000 entries in the Glossary are created to assist interpreters, legal and paralegal professionals, community services providers and the general public as they search for Canadian legal terms.

English: http://www.legalglossary.ca

Phone: 604-871-7000

Court Information is the new online home of the Society’s Court Information Program for Immigrants. The program provides free information and referrals to new immigrants.  The website provides information, numerous videos, links to online resources as well as translated information from the popular resource Learning About the Law in six languages: English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Punjabi, Spanish and French.

English: http://www.courtinformation.ca
Español: http://www.courtinformation.ca/es
Phone: 1-866-550-2474

Dial-A-Law is a library of scripts prepared by lawyers. It offers general information on a variety of topics on law in British Columbia, but not legal advice. If you need further information, you should consult a lawyer by calling the Lawyer Referral Service at 604-687-3221 or toll free in BC at 1-800-663-1919.  Dial-A-Law is a free service that is available in English, Chinese and Punjabi by telephone and online.

The library of scripts includes information on:

• divorce & separation
• property & asset division
• child custody & guardianship
• child adoption
• common-law relationships
• marriage & violence against women
• legal information on same-sex relationships

Chinese, Simplified: http://www.cba.org/BC/pdf/dal/dal_chinese.pdf
English: http://www.cba.org/BC/Public_Media/dal/default.aspx
Punjabi: http://www.cba.org/BC/pdf/dal/dal_punjabi.pdf
Phone: 604-687-3221
Toll Free in BC: 1-800-663-1919

Outlines in plain language what legal aid is, and how and where to apply for it. It also lists the phone numbers of legal aid offices in BC.
Other languages: Arabic, Chinese (simplified and traditional), French, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese
English: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/legalAidCanHelpYou_eng.pdf
Farsi, Persian: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/legalAidCanHelpYou_far.pdf
Punjabi: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/legalAidCanHelpYou_pun.pdf
Spanish: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/legalAidCanHelpYou_spa.pdf
Greater Vancouver: 604-408-2172
Elsewhere in BC: 1-866-577-2525 (No charge)

Describes the role of a legal aid lawyer and what the client should expect from them. Also explains what someone should do if they are unhappy with the results of their case or their legal aid lawyer.

Other languages: Chinese, Traditional, French, Vietnamese
English: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/whatYouShouldExpectFromLawyer_eng.pdf
Farsi, Persian:
http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/whatYouShouldExpectFromLawyer_far.pdf
Punjabi: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/whatYouShouldExpectFromLawyer_pun.pdf
Spanish: http://www.lss.bc.ca/assets/pubs/whatYouShouldExpectFromLawyer_spa.pdf
Greater Vancouver: 604-408-2172
Elsewhere in BC: 1-866-577-2525 (No charge)

Many people can only afford a brief meeting with a lawyer. This publication will help you organize and prepare for your interview with a lawyer so that you can use the time more effectively.

English: http://www.clasbc.net/publications/details.php?ID=7
Telephone: (604) 685-3425
Elsewhere in BC Free: 1-888-685-6222

This publication is designed to help you effectively work with your legal aid lawyer and maintain a positive relationship.

English: http://www.clasbc.net/publications/details.php?ID=9
Telephone: (604) 685-3425
Elsewhere in BC Free: 1-888-685-6222