With the support of the British Columbia Provincial Court and the Ministry of Attorney General, the Access Pro Bono Society of B.C. (AP
is launching Canada’s first pro bono virtual family mediation project.
Access Pro Bono is a provincial non-profit organization that provides free legal services to people and non-profit organizations of limited means. APB engages approximately 1,500 volunteer lawyers and some law students and paralegals to provide free legal help to those in need. Their foundational service is typically a free half hour, in-person legal advice session, servicing up to 55 cities and towns in British Columbia.
With its virtual sessions reaching more people, APB partnered with Qase—a Vancouver-based legal services startup—to launch the Virtual Family Mediation Project, which is a free online mediation service for low- and modest-income families engaged in the Provincial Court’s Early Resolution Process.
“We know that having to go to court to resolve family law issues, such as child support or parenting time, can have a significant negative impact on families,” said attorney general David Eby in a release.
“By taking those issues out of the courtroom where possible, this project will lead to better outcomes for families, reducing stress and helping them deal with matters more quickly and efficiently. It is another great example of how technology can improve access to justice and deliver a system that better supports the needs of British Columbians, wherever they are in the province.”
Each party gets free independent legal advice from a certified lawyer, to advise them on their rights and strategy leading into the mediation process.
They both get a free mediation session which can last several hours, followed by a meeting with a lawyer to help draft an agreement, hopefully avoiding costly legal fees and the emotional tole of appearing in court. The lawyers are registered on a voluntary basis and are all licensed professionals.
For more on eligibility, visit: https://www.bcbusiness.ca/BC-non-profit-creates...
is launching Canada’s first pro bono virtual family mediation project.Access Pro Bono is a provincial non-profit organization that provides free legal services to people and non-profit organizations of limited means. APB engages approximately 1,500 volunteer lawyers and some law students and paralegals to provide free legal help to those in need. Their foundational service is typically a free half hour, in-person legal advice session, servicing up to 55 cities and towns in British Columbia.
With its virtual sessions reaching more people, APB partnered with Qase—a Vancouver-based legal services startup—to launch the Virtual Family Mediation Project, which is a free online mediation service for low- and modest-income families engaged in the Provincial Court’s Early Resolution Process.
“We know that having to go to court to resolve family law issues, such as child support or parenting time, can have a significant negative impact on families,” said attorney general David Eby in a release.
“By taking those issues out of the courtroom where possible, this project will lead to better outcomes for families, reducing stress and helping them deal with matters more quickly and efficiently. It is another great example of how technology can improve access to justice and deliver a system that better supports the needs of British Columbians, wherever they are in the province.”
Each party gets free independent legal advice from a certified lawyer, to advise them on their rights and strategy leading into the mediation process.
They both get a free mediation session which can last several hours, followed by a meeting with a lawyer to help draft an agreement, hopefully avoiding costly legal fees and the emotional tole of appearing in court. The lawyers are registered on a voluntary basis and are all licensed professionals.
For more on eligibility, visit: https://www.bcbusiness.ca/BC-non-profit-creates...