Why We Do It

We believe that access to justice is central to the rule of law and functional democracy. Every person deserves access to the services they need to resolve their legal problems.

We pursue a Mission to increase access to justice in BC, and we subscribe to a number of supporting Objectives and Principles.

Our 2025 to 2028 Strategic Plan
 

Our broad and inclusive approach to delivering legal services defines who we are. Over the years, we've developed programs and services to meet the growing needs of many British Columbians who couldn't otherwise access critical legal services, and we've become known for our innovative and agile approach to service delivery. Our 2025 to 2028 Strategic Plan is built around maintaining these core values while strengthening our ability to best serve those in greatest need.

 

Mission (What We Do)


Improve the justice system in British Columbia by providing access to free or affordable legal services.

 

Why We Do It
 

The vast majority of people in British Columbia cannot obtain the help they need to resolve their legal issues. By providing access to free or affordable legal services, we empower people to address their legal issues with confidence and dignity, and contribute to a more just and stable society.

 

How We Do It
 

  • We share what we learn from our service experiences.

    We are honest and transparent about what we learn from clients and volunteers, and we offer our experiential knowledge to support improvements to the justice system in BC.

  • We put human beings at the centre of what we do.

    We meet people where they are, as they confront life-changing legal issues. We approach each person with compassion and humility.

  • We strive to be inclusive.

    We offer a broad range of programs serving diverse legal needs, and we seek to help everyone who comes to us, either through our own services or through connections to more appropriate service providers.

  • We value our volunteers.

    We rely on volunteers to deliver free or affordable legal services to communities throughout BC, and we provide the necessary training and tools to support them.

  • We innovate.

    We continually seek new ways to adapt and respond to unmet legal needs, and to improve the justice system in BC, while also managing risks to our sustainability.

  • We collaborate with others.

    We recognize that people are better served by a diversity of legal service providers who work together to address unmet legal needs, and we combine our efforts with those of other organizations who share in the cause of access to justice.

 

Strategic Objectives for 2025 to 2028
 

  1. Prioritize reconciliation.

    We will find concrete ways to advance reconciliation.
     
  2. Expand the reach of our impact.

    We will expand our presence in all communities across BC, and make our services more accessible.
     
  3. Streamline to sustain our inclusive approach to providing services.

    We will clarify and define the scope of services we offer, and direct our limited resources to those services where we have the greatest impact.
     
  4. Grow our resources to serve more people.

    We will grow our service capacity by engaging more volunteers, finding greater efficiencies, and securing increased funding.
     
  5. Communicate about inequitable access to justice and its implications for our communities.

    We will be transparent, and we will share our service experiences and the lived experiences of our clients to inform government and others about how to improve access to justice in BC.
     
  6. Strengthen our infrastructure to support and sustain continued innovation.

    We will build internal processes and supports that sustain our operations and growth.

 

Principles
 

  1. ​​​​​Pro bono legal services are those legal services that are provided to people and non-profit organizations of limited means without expectation of a fee.
     
  2. Pro bono legal services should be designed and provided according to the changing social and legal needs of the people and non-profit organizations of limited means for whom they are intended.
     
  3. Pro bono legal services should be provided to people and organizations of limited means according to the same standards of dedication, excellence, and professional ethics as paid legal services.
     
  4. Pro bono legal services should serve to complement and not replace government-funded programs advancing access to justice; a collaborative pro bono system should not substitute for a properly funded legal aid system.