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.
If you have small business inquiries or are trying to contact someone for assistance, you can find relevant government contacts for general small business questions such as business registration, permits and licenses, or taxes here.
If you need help navigating resources, you can contact our librarians using this form.
Navigation:
- Incorporation, Compliance & Development Guides
- Legal & Tax Help
- Legal Research Resources
Incorporation, Compliance & Development Guides
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. We have listed some of the most frequently used sources for quick access. To ensure compliance with all provincial, federal, and local government registration requirements, please visit the link and carefully read and follow the information provided in this source.
- Legal structure tool Business Structures Wizard: Use this BC Business Registry’s tool to compare different business structure options and help you determine which one may be the best fit for your business.
- Submit a business name request: Name Request Online or download the Name Request form and take it to your nearest Service BC Centre.
- Permits and Licenses need (from all levels of government)
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. Please note that this source was last updated in 2018, so many of the direct links are no longer relevant. Use this source for general information only. Refer to the VPL Guide and the Starting a Small Business Guide for the most up-to-date information.
- Starting a Small Business: Discuss options for starting a business and their trade-offs, business ownership structures, and regulatory compliance in registration.
- Incorporating a Company: Discuss the steps to take and decisions to make in company structuring and registration.
- Intellectual Property: Discuss how to protect your competitive advantage through intellectual property, including patents, industrial designs, trademarks, and copyright registration.
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) Trademarks, copyrights, patents, industrial designs
The guide covers registering or incorporating your business, obtaining licenses and permits, paying taxes, and maintaining business records. You can also read our blog on record management for additional guidance.
- Business Law in Canada: published small business legal resources on topics such as registration, permits and licenses, financial law, business structures, and more.
Introduction to Records Management (SBA Blog)
This blog series discusses key records management topics and principles for small businesses. It is a helpful resource for learning best practices in business recordkeeping at a beginner level.
Compliance is important for all businesses, regardless of size, risk profile, industry, or location of operation. For small businesses, credible and effective compliance programs do not have to be costly or complicated, yet they can help you avoid significant risks such as fines or even criminal consequences.
- Compliance Bootcamp: A series of video modules designed to help business owners understand compliance basics and avoid poor business practices such as deceptive marketing, bid-rigging, and wage-fixing.
- Core principles: Discuss the implementation of a tailored compliance program. Having one in place offers many benefits, such as improving your chances of doing business with larger companies and attracting potential buyers.
Qualifying businesses can get tariff exemptions or reductions by meeting the rules of origin and completing a certificate of origin under some trade agreements.
Legal & Tax Help
A Guide to a Successful Interview With a Lawyer
Created by the Community Legal Assistance Society, 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.
The Law Society of British Columbia is the licensing and regulatory body for lawyers in BC. They provide information and resources for both lawyers and the public on the standards of conduct, complaints and discipline process, and hearings.
- Finding a Lawyer: Although the Law Society cannot provide referrals. We encourage you to check a lawyer’s current practice status using Lawyer Directory and verify a law firm’s website before hiring a lawyer.
- Working with Lawyers preparation
- Legal Resources for the Public *KEY resource portal* contains comprehensive resources on Public legal information, Glossary of legal terms, Legal research, Laws, statutes and regulations, Law libraries, Courts and court information, Lawyer directories
The Canada Revenue Agency also offers free Liaison Officer services to owners of small businesses and self-employed individuals to help them understand their tax obligations. A visit from a Liaison Officer is 100% confidential: the information you choose to discuss with them will not be shared with other areas of the CRA, or anyone else.
provides public legal education and information to help people understand legal rights, processes, and the justice system in BC.
- Ask JES: anyone can get free answers to legal questions and referrals about legal topics relevant under BC law — though this is legal information, not formal legal advice. Direct portal: https://legalhelpbc.ca/.
Business Law Clinic at the Allard School of Law (UBC)
The Business Law Clinic at the Allard School of Law allows law students to provide business-oriented legal advice to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. Their services include providing general legal information and advice, answering legal questions related to business or non-profit matters, and drafting or reviewing legal documents.
University of Victoria (UVic) Business Law Clinic
Similar to the Business Law Clinic at UBC (above), this UVic initiative benefits both business community members and law students.
Legal Referral Service
The Law Foundation of BC, the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC), and Access Pro Bono Society of BC (APB) jointly offer the Legal Referral Service. This program is not a pro bono (free) legal service, but it helps individuals address legal issues or connects them to appropriate resources. Eligible users can receive 15–30 minutes of free consultation with an experienced lawyer, notary, or designated paralegal, subject to availability. A $25 booking fee applies only if the household earned $100,000 or more in the past year. Full eligibility details and booking steps are available on the program’s website. in the past year. Full eligibility details and booking steps are available on the program’s website.
- Legal Help for Non-Profit Organizations
Access Pro Bono offers the Solicitors’ Program, which facilitates the provision of specific pro bono legal services to charitable and non-profit community organizations of limited means.
You can find resources to help you recognize legal problems early and take action when issues arise. Additionally, access information, contacts, and resources to answer your questions about lawyers, the law, courts, and the justice system in B.C. and across Canada.
- Find a Lawyer tool: Locate a lawyer who specializes in the area of law you need (Note that membership in the CBA is optional, not mandatory. Many lawyers choose not to join because it’s a voluntary association. To confirm that a lawyer is legitimately licensed to practice, check Law Society of British Columbia to see if a lawyer is in good standing)
Legal Research Resources
BC Courthouse Library
The BC Courthouse Library supports small business owners in British Columbia by providing free access to reliable legal information and resources. Business owners can use the library to research business, contract, employment, and regulatory law; access legal databases, legislation, and case law; and use practical legal guides and forms. Their toll free number is 1.800.665.2570.
- Ask a librarian if you are stuck on a difficult question, or just can't find what you're searching for. Library staff can help users find and understand legal information and refer them to appropriate resources or services, though they do not provide legal advice.
Dial-A-Law
This is a library of free legal information prepared by lawyers operating under the name the People's Law School. The program is funded by the Law Foundation of BC and operated by the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch.
- Business & non-profits topics
- Legal help & lawyers information
- Resolving disputes (Information on alternatives to court, going to court, and Small Claims Court.)
Search for legislation, courts, judicial decisions and other legal information across Canada.