Legal Assistance

Use the resources in this section to get started on your own legal research or to get a handle on what is available to you. These resources can help you with the nuances of navigating the law and government business compliance.

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Business Guides

  • ClickLaw
    Operated by Courthouse Libraries BC and funded by the Law Foundation of BC. It offers comprehensive guides on starting a business, incorporation, protecting your intellectual property, and much more.
  • Starting a Small Business Guide
    An introductory guide from the BC government to help with planning and starting a small business. It contains information about registering your business, registering for sales tax, and identifying other permits or requirements.
  • BizPaL
    Managed by a partnership involving governments at the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal levels.This is the one-stop website to assist Canadian businesses that are just starting up, or expanding into new areas. BizPaL asks you a short series of questions about the nature and scope of your current or proposed business. Based on your answers, BizPaL provides you with a customized list of government permits and licenses that you may require to operate your business.
  • OneStop Business Registry 
    Created by the BC Registry Services, this site includes integrated business registration, business name search, incorporation, business address change, and liquor licensing services.The business registration service enables a business to register with multiple public sector agencies and local government in one step.
  • Legal Issues for Small Business 
    This guide from the Canada Business Network covers key legal issues a lawyer can help you address and the benefit of legal advice.
  • Start Your Business Off on the Right Legal Footing 
    Review these blog posts by Small Business BC which cover many legal aspects of starting and running a small business.
  • Doing Business - Law Library
    Created by World Bank Group, this site offers a comprehensive listing of business regulations in across 189 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional level. The Law Library allows you to easily customize your search.

For Non-Profits

  • PLEI for Non-Profits
    PLEI for Non-Profits is a resource site for BC's non-profit sector. Here you will find public legal education and information (PLEI) on critical aspects of non-profit business e.g. governance, employment, leasing, compliance and privacy.  
  • Legal Help for Non-Profit Organizations
    Access Probono offers the Solicitors’ Program, which facilitates the provision of specific pro bono legal services to charitable and non-profit community organizations of limited means.

Working with Lawyers

Free Services

  • Business Law Clinic at the Allard School of Law (UBC)
    The Business Law Clinic at the Allard School of Law provides segments of the business community, who have limited means, with access to legal services. The Clinic also provides law students with valuable client-facing experience.

  • University of Victoria (UVic) Business Law Clinic
    The Business Law Clinic (BLC) at the University of Victoria provides legal information on matters that include things like Incorporation, Financing, Charitable Registration, Intellectual Property Protection, Shareholder Agreements, Franchise Agreements, Partnership Agreements, Contracts, Business Liability, Employment Law, Government Regulation, Taxation and other topics.

  • BC Courthouse Library
    It provides legal information services to the legal community and the general public of British Columbia. Their toll free number is 1.800.665.2570.

  • Dial-A-Law
    This is a library of free legal information prepared by lawyers. The program is funded by the Law Foundation of BC and operated by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch. It is available by phone, as recorded scripts, at 604.687.4680 in the lower mainland or 1.800.565.5297 elsewhere in BC and by audio and text, on the CBA BC Branch website.

Acts & Codes