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.
Navigation:
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. - How to Start Your Business: Your Legal Requirements
Review this blog post by Small Business BC which covers 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. - Incorporate in Canada
This service from NorthOne will complete the paperwork for BC and Canadian registration for you. You do need to complete a short form to provide them with the necessary information.
For Non-Profits
- 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
- A Guide to a Successful Interview With a Lawyer
Created by the Community Legal Assistance Society website, this publication will help you organize and prepare for your interview with a lawyer so that you can use the time more effectively and save money. - Lawyer Referral Service (BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association)
Need help finding a BC lawyer? This telephone based service will connect you to a lawyer in your area. You are entitled to up to a half hour consultation for $25 plus taxes.
Free Services
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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
- Canada Labour Code
- Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act
- BC Corporations Act
- Competition Act
- Canadian Commercial Corporations Act
- Canada Business Corporations Act
- Canada Corporations Act
- Employment Equity Act
- Employment Insurance Act
- Employment Standards Act
- Fair Wages and Hours of Labour Act
- Franchises Act
- Societies Act