FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and contact us!

Contact Us

  • A select few Paralegals have been authorized by the law society to provide some legal services. Contact our office to determine whether we are able to assist.

  • Hiring a paralegal directly is a recent development, and not all paralegals are authorized to practice independently.

    For additional information, please visit the Law Society of British Columbia’s Innovation Sandbox page:
    https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/priorities/innovation-sandbox/

  • We have extensive experience in Small Claims Court, with over 30 years of practice. Our efficient approach and competitive fees make it a practical and cost-effective choice to retain our services, saving you time and reducing stress.

  • Yes, you may choose to retain us for specific services only and pay accordingly. We regularly assist clients by preparing comprehensive materials for settlement conferences and trials, and many have successfully represented themselves using our work product.

  • You may retain our office solely to prepare your initial documents. There is no obligation to continue using our services beyond that stage.

About Hiring a Paralegal

  • We regularly assist individuals and businesses with recovering outstanding funds and defending claims brought against them in Small Claims Court.

  • We assist with a wide range of matters. If you have been sued, we can help you defend the claim. If you need to commence a claim, we can assist you in recovering unpaid funds or seeking damages.

    Our office can prepare a Notice of Claim for multiple outstanding invoices or contract disputes for a flat fee of $575. Claim Resolution Tribunal (CRT) files are prepared for a flat fee of $450.

  • Please contact us to discuss your legal matter. There is no charge for an initial meeting. We will review your situation and advise whether we are able to assist. If we are unable to act for you, we will provide guidance on possible next steps. Our goal is to ensure that you receive clear and helpful information.

    Please note that we do not provide services in family law, employment law, immigration law, or criminal law.

  • If you are owed money for dozens of invoices, or multiple contracts, the calculations and pleadings required are more complex and the price is adjusted accordingly. We will work with you to keep your costs low.

Services & Areas of Practice

  • We can represent you in Small Claims Court at the settlement conference and/or the trial, unless the Judge objects (in our experience they do not).

    We cannot represent you in Supreme Court, however, we can assist with some procedures and document preparation.

  • That's what we are here to explain, but in the interest of saving you time, with respect to services offered by Affordable Legal BC, British Columbia Provincial Court (small claims) deals with civil claims between $5,001 and $35,000.

  • That's what we are here to explain, but in the interest of saving you time, with respect to services offered by Affordable Legal BC, the CRT deals with claims below $5,000.

Court & Tribunal Representation

  • For moderately complex matters, we can review your materials, prepare and file the required documents, arrange for service, and attend the settlement conference for under $1,000, plus the applicable court filing fee of $156.

    If the matter does not resolve at the settlement conference, preparation for and attendance at a one-day trial is approximately $1,000 plus applicable taxes. Fees may be lower depending on the circumstances, while additional trial days would result in additional costs.

  • Any documents you provide to us are stored securely on our encrypted servers, and all information you share with our office is treated as private. We take all reasonable steps to maintain your confidentiality, except as required by a court order or similar legal obligation.

    Please note that our services are provided by a paralegal, not a lawyer regulated by the Law Society of British Columbia. As a result:

    1. Communications and documents you provide may not be protected by solicitor-client privilege and could be subject to disclosure to third parties.

    2. We are not required to carry professional liability insurance and do not carry such insurance.

    3. There is no statutory complaint process for our services.

    4. The Law Society of British Columbia has not evaluated or verified our competence, character, or fitness to provide these services.

    For more information, please visit the Law Society’s Innovation Sandbox: https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/our-initiatives/innovation-sandbox/.

  • Affordable Legal BC has professional liability insurance.

  • The Innovation Sandbox initiative by the Law Society of British Columbia aims to improve access to justice by enhancing access to legal advice and assistance.

    Here’s how it works:

    Objective: The Innovation Sandbox focuses on piloting the provision of legal services by individuals, businesses, and organizations that are not lawyers or law firms.

    Unmet Need: The goal is to address the legal needs of those in British Columbia who may not have easy access to traditional legal services.

    Experimentation: The sandbox allows for experimentation with innovative approaches to providing legal advice and assistance. It encourages new models and providers to emerge.

    Effective Legal Service Providers: By participating in the sandbox, stakeholders can develop effective legal service providers that cater to the specific needs of the community.

    In summary, the Innovation Sandbox fosters creativity, collaboration, and alternative solutions to enhance access to justice in British Columbia.

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