Before you refer a client, please check:

  • Is your client self-representing themselves in a family law matter in BC?

  • Is your client thinking of starting a family law matter in BC?

  • Does your client meet Rise’s financial eligibility criteria?

  • We do not provide representation for clients. If your client is seeking legal representation and is eligible for legal aid, please contact Legal Aid BC directly. We may be able to provide services for clients, who have been approved for legal aid but are waiting for a lawyer, or are coming to an end with legal aid hours.

Request Assistance

for clients in the Lower Mainland

We request the client or you fill out our online form.

If the client’s email is being provided on the form, please double check that it is safe for them to receive emails regarding scheduling appointments and follow-ups from Rise.

If there are no safety concerns, please complete the Confidential Appointment Request Form.

If there are concerns regarding the client’s email, you can provide your email or fill out our Safe Contact Form to ask for assistance.

Questions regarding clients in the Lower Mainland can be sent to clc@womenslegalcentre.ca

for clients outside the Lower Mainland

We request the client or you fill out our online form.

Will you continue supporting the client?

  • If yes, complete and submit the Request for Service.

  • If no, please direct or support the client to complete our online form after reviewing the information below:

    • If the client’s email is being provided on the form, please double check that it is safe for them to receive emails regarding scheduling appointments and follow-ups from Rise.

      No concerns regarding email safety, please complete the Confidential Appointment Request Form.

      Yes, there are concerns regarding the client’s email, fill out our Safe Contact Form to ask for assistance.

Questions regarding clients outside the Lower Mainland can be sent to vlc@womenslegalcentre.ca

How our services work for self-representing clients?

Steps for service

We recommend reading all our steps to clarify how our process works before filling our online form.

Step 1

Fill our online form. Support workers can attend the navigation call with the client.

Step 2

Book an appointment with the legal navigator, who is not a lawyer. Booking link will be in the email sent after the form is submitted. Our emails sometimes end up in spam, please mark our email as a safe contact.

Step 3

This will depend on the information on the form. Legal navigators and program assistants review all incoming request forms.

  • If the navigators assess that the client qualifies for Legal Aid BC, an email with information to apply will be sent to the one provided on the form. In this case, the client’s appointment with the navigator will be canceled. If the client is denied legal aid, they can reach back to us and will not need to submit another form. You can reach back us at vlc@womenslegalcentre.ca.

  • At this stage, the navigator will also assess if the legal matter falls within our scope of services. For matters, Rise cannot help with, the navigators may provide information about legal and community resources that may be a better fit in the legal matter.

  • If the matter falls within our scope of services, and the client does not qualify for Legal Aid, speak with the navigator, who will assess for Rise’s financial eligibility and how the client can be best supported. Community partners are encouraged to attend the navigation call with the client.

Step 4

Depending on the call with the navigator, referrals may be made to:

  • internal program or service including summary advice service at Rise;

  • referral to a community organization better suited to assist;

  • another legal resource.

    (this is not a complete list, the legal navigator is best suited to explore options with the client and you).

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