May 30, 2022

We’ve expanded financial eligibility for Family Limited Representation Contracts

Legal Aid BC has increased the financial eligibility income guidelines for its Family Limited Representation Contract to better assist clients. More than ever, family law clients need a lawyer’s advice and assistance to prepare for mediation or negotiation to settle some or all of their legal issues so that only the ones that cannot be resolved go before a judge.

In March 2022, the Ministry of Attorney General committed $8.19 million in new, ongoing annual funding for legal aid services. A portion of the new funding is to “provide stable, ongoing funding for the Family Limited Representation Contract and expand the financial eligibility for this service to help families in distress navigate the court system” (see Attorney General news release and Association of Legal Aid Lawyers announcement).  With this new funding, Legal Aid BC has been able to increase the financial eligibility guidelines to $1,000 per month higher than a Family Standard Representation Contract.

Family Limited Representation Contracts are available to all tariff lawyers, not just those who provide duty counsel services. This means that clients who would not otherwise have representation will have the assistance of the same lawyer for the hours provided.

For more information about Family Limited Representation Contracts and how to use them to provide unbundled family law services to help clients, see this FAQ.

Thank you for continuing to do your best to help legal aid clients.

Heidi Mason
Vice President, Legal Advice and Representation
Legal Aid BC

Questions or comments?

Contact our Lawyer Support team at: 604-601-6155 / 1-888-401-6206 or lawyer.support@legalaid.bc.ca.

Sent from the traditional unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.