OUR PROGRAMS

We work with women and gender diverse people who do not qualify for Legal Aid or cannot afford lawyers with their family law matters in British Columbia. We provide limited legal services and do not provide full representation through any of our clinics.

Our programs are aimed at:

  • serving clients who are self-representing in their family law matters,

  • assisting family law advocates, anti-violence workers and support workers with family law matters by providing them free access to our programs,

  • conducting original research to provide policy recommendations, and advance systemic change in the family law system in the province,

  • providing training and education for lawyers, anti-violence workers, family law advocates, and support workers with a focus on working with clients experiencing family violence.

Rise Programs

Legal clinics directly serving self-representing clients

At Rise, we have three legal clinics:

  • Community Legal Clinic serves self-representing clients in the Lower Mainland.

  • Virtual Legal Clinic serves self-representing clients outside the Lower Mainland but in British Columbia. The clinic may help clients who are outside the province but with family law matters in British Columbia.

  • Student Legal Clinic serves self-representing clients with family law matters in the Lower Mainland. Clients are internally referred to the Student Legal Clinic. Students interested in completing an externship can find more information here.

As Rise works with economically disadvantaged clients, there are financial eligibility criteria for accessing legal services. The one service accessible to all incoming clients is legal navigation. After the clients submit the online request form, our legal navigators assess the legal issue and check for financial eligibility before referring to one of Rise’s services, which may include:

We do not provide legal representation for clients.

Clients can request assistance here.

Support workers can request assistance here.

Support for family law advocates, anti-violence workers, and support workers

Started in 2019 with the support of the Law Foundation of BC, FASL is a dedicated phone line for family law advocates, anti-violence workers, and support workers in BC. The line is answered by an experienced lawyer who provides fast and comprehensive advice on routine and complex cases. The lawyer offers knowledgeable advice from a culturally sensitive, trauma informed lens, and ensures all advocate and support worker’s clients receive the best possible care, advice, and access to resources. FASL also provides ongoing, monthly training on family law matters.

Book an appointment with the FASL lawyer here.

Started in 2023 with the support of the Department of Justice, IFASL is a dedicated phone line for Indigenous advocates and workers supporting Indigenous clients. The line is answered by our IFASL lawyer, who specializes in child protection and actively works toward decolonizing the family law system in her day-to-day practice. IFASL organizes weekly support circles and monthly training.

Book an appointment with the IFASL lawyer here.

Started in 2022, with a funding from the Department of Justice, the Family Advocate Educator has worked with Law Foundation funded family law advocates to provide training, coaching and mentorship so that they are able to provide meaningful support to survivors of family violence. The Family Advocate Educator also puts together recorded trainings and educational materials.

Family law advocates can find more information here.

Started in 2022, with funding from the Law Foundation of BC, CLS provides direct legal supervision to Law Foundation of BC funded family law advocates in smaller, and unserved communities. Advocates receive ongoing training, weekly file reviews, one-to-one mentorship, and support developing consistent practice management skills. The Centralised Legal Services lawyers provide needed support and security to advocates, and fills an important gap in current supports available to advocates.

Research and Education

Research

Rise has been conducting original, evidence-based research since 2018. Our research is one of the ways we are magnifying our voices to seek access to justice. Our research reports aims at improving legal systems and create systemic change that will improve access to justice on a macro scale. We know that bringing real change to the legal systems requires input from the community. We want to start difficult conversations, amplify the voices of clients and support workers, and people who are directly impacted by the current legal system, and provide concrete and achievable recommendations for improving access to justice.

See our research reports here.

Education

In 2023, we expanded our training portfolio by adding an e-learning platform. Closely linked to research, our goal is to disseminate training for lawyers, legal professionals, support workers supporting clients navigating the family law system in BC from a client-centered, and trauma-informed perspective.

At present, our training platform is limited to groups we closely we work with. As we build our training offerings, we will expand it to a wider audience.

See our training offerings here. This page is password protected. To request access, please email education@womenslegalcentre.ca. We are only able to provide access for organizational emails.

Want to support out work?

Rise Women’s Legal Centre is a registered charity
#76336 8099 RT0001.

A tax receipt will be issued for every donation in any amount.

We accept donations online, through cheque or e-transfer.

Cheques can be sent to:
Rise Women’s Legal Centre
PO Box 3761
Vancouver PO Terminal, BC V6B 3Z1

Questions about donating and giving?

Email development@womenslegalcentre.ca

"This has been a very helpful beginning. I have some clear steps to think about and take. I hope to be able to process what was discussed, work on some steps and have a follow up to continue to have my issue resolved. I am very appreciative of this service!."

— Client feedback

© 2024 Rise Women's Legal Centre. All rights reserved.