Curious about West Coast Environmental Law's free legal services? Here's some helpful information to answer common questions about these services, which work under the umbrella of our Access to Justice programs.
 

Frequently asked questions about our Access to Justice programs

How do West Coast’s Access to Justice programs work?

West Coast has two Access to Justice programs:

• Summary Legal Advice: Our staff lawyers provide basic legal advice free of charge to help you understand the law and the legal options you have to address an environmental concern. If your situation requires more than basic legal advice, we may refer you to a private lawyer who will meet with you for an initial conversation to determine if their services can meet your needs.
• Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund (EDRF): The EDRF provides grants to British Columbians who have organized to protect their communities and their environment.

The first step for both programs is to contact us via this form, or at (604) 684-7378 ext. 229 or legalaid@wcel.org. We will set up an intake call with you to determine how we can best be of support to you and/or your community.

Who can reach out to this program?

Any individual, community group, NGO, non-profit organization, and/or First Nation within the province of BC is welcome to contact us to discuss and develop their environmental protection idea further. 

As part of our understanding of environmental justice, we acknowledge that intersecting social categories such as race, gender, sexuality, disability, immigration status, income, rural location and age all magnify the ways in which people experience environmental harms. If you face systemic barriers to justice based on identity, we encourage you to contact us. We are committed to ensuring our services are provided on an equitable basis.

What is Summary Legal Advice? How much support will I receive?

Summary Legal Advice is intended to give you a better understanding of the laws and regulations that are relevant to your environmental concerns.

Through the Summary Legal Advice program, a lawyer may provide legal and non-legal steps you could take and/or explain how the law will apply in your circumstances based on the facts of your situation. 

West Coast Environmental Law is a non-profit environmental law organization that provides free legal services to the environmental community in British Columbia. Our Access to Justice Program receives hundreds of inquiries each year and we are only able to provide ongoing assistance in rare circumstances. 

We are connected with a large network of lawyers and organizations working on environmental issues across the province. In addition to providing legal information and advice, we may be able to connect you with other lawyers or groups who are working on similar issues in order to help build your network of support. 

If your situation requires more than basic legal advice, we may refer you to a private lawyer or another legal organization for ongoing legal support.

What kinds of issues does this program offer support for?

West Coast’s Access to Justice programs offer support for public interest environmental legal issues. Give us a call if:

• Your community is facing a threat to animal life, nature and the health of land, air or water.
• Your community is facing an environmental threat that may result in cultural losses.
• A development project is being proposed and you want your voice to be heard.
• You are part of an environmental initiative, campaign or community group and you want legal advice.
• You are facing infringements of your inherent title and rights in a situation that may result in environmental harm.
• You aren’t opposed to development but are concerned about the sustainability and/or impacts of a proposed project, or the pace and scale of development in your region.
• You think that the problem you are facing can be addressed with environmental law, but you’re not sure.

What kind of issues does this program not offer support for?

• An environmental concern that takes place outside of BC.
• Questions regarding purchase or sale of private property.

When we are not able to offer support for the concern you have contacted us about, we will suggest another resource or organization that may be able to. 

Can I hire a West Coast lawyer? Can West Coast take on a case on my behalf?

Our Access to Justice programs focus on providing legal information, advice or other support so that you can take active steps to resolve the environmental problem. We do not provide long-term formal representation or take on cases on your behalf.

Indigenous nations who wish to pursue more in-depth legal partnerships can find more information about our RELAW Program (Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water).

Do I have to pay for these services?

West Coast’s free legal advice and EDRF programs do not charge for our work. 

If we refer you to an external lawyer, you can expect to have a consultation call with them to determine if their services can meet your needs. If you’d like to move forward with the lawyer, you can retain them at a rate of charge that you agree on. There's no obligation for either you or the lawyer to continue working together after the initial conversation. 

How well do I need to understand the environmental issue in order to reach out to this program?

We can provide guidance to you at many stages in your environmental protection efforts, including at the beginning. If you need help to determine whether the issue you are experiencing is environmental in nature or how it interacts with the law, please feel free to contact us to discuss your situation over the phone and we can work with you to understand your goals and potential legal options.

Can the details of my case be kept out of publicity for privacy or safety?

Yes. We will never share information you provide to us with others without your consent.