LegalHelpBC launch

BRITISH Columbians with a legal question can now get free legal information and referrals in one place. Legal Help BC, from the Justice Education Society (JES), combines personalized help from trained navigators (Ask a Human) with 24/7 multilingual AI assistance (Ask AI). It provides legal information and referrals, not legal advice.

Since its soft launch on September 16, Legal Help BC has responded to more than 3,000 public inquiries across more than 1,500 user sessions. Questions have come from across the province on family law, civil disputes, wills, employment, court processes and more. 

“When a legal issue lands in someone’s life, many people don’t know their rights, or where to begin” said Carmen Zabarauckas, CEO of the Justice Education Society. “Legal Help BC gives British Columbians a clear starting point. They can get free legal information specific to BC at any hour, and they can reach a trained person during live hours when they need one.”

Two ways to get help:

• Ask a Human connects people with trained Legal Navigators who provide personalized assistance, explain their options and refer them to legal information and services. Live support is available weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. PCT by chat, call, or text. Offline inquiries get a response usually the next day.
• Ask AI is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in multiple languages. JES introduced its first AI chatbot in 2025 on family law. In September 2026, it was expanded to draw on 20 trusted BC websites, including the BC Government, BC Courts, ICBC, Consumer Protect BC, and Legal Aid BC.  All legal information provided is grounded in reliable, BC-specific information.Prior to launching Ask AI, JES tested and evaluated over 500 questions and responses, ensuring that information being provided was safe and accurate. 

People can start with either service, then switch to the other as needed. When a situation needs a lawyer or other specialized help, Legal Help BC directs people to services, such as Legal Aid BC, Access Pro Bono’s Legal Referral Service and others. 

Legal Help BC is available at LegalHelpBC.ca and through nine other JES legal information websites: