Practice
Legal help with buying, selling, or refinancing a property, including private mortgages. We review the transaction documents, explain your obligations, and handle the legal steps involved in completing the transaction.
Advice about owning or managing property within a strata, including bylaws, governance, common property, and disputes involving owners or the strata corporation. Assistance can include reviewing documents, seeking a resolution, and tribunal proceedings.
Legal help with building and renovation projects, from reviewing a contract to resolving problems with payment or completed work. Common issues include project delays, deficiencies, and builders’ liens.
Help for landlords and tenants with rental agreements, repairs, deposits, unpaid rent, and ending a tenancy. We can explain the options for addressing a dispute and assist with Residential Tenancy Branch proceedings.
Advice for starting, running, buying, or selling a business. This can include incorporation, commercial contracts, leases, and agreements between business owners, with attention to how each arrangement will work in practice.
Advice when a relationship changes or ends, including separation, divorce, parenting arrangements, support, and dividing property. Assistance can include reviewing or preparing agreements, negotiating a resolution, and representation in proceedings.
Planning for how your affairs and property will be managed during incapacity and after death, including wills and powers of attorney. We also assist executors with probate applications and the work involved in administering an estate.
Advice about the working relationship between employers and employees. Common matters include employment agreements, workplace disputes, dismissal, and reviewing or negotiating a severance offer.
Help understanding and preparing immigration or citizenship matters, including applications and family sponsorships. We can also review a refusal and discuss whether an appeal or another form of review may be available.
Help resolving disputes over contracts, unpaid debts, property, or alleged negligence. We assess the issue, explain the available options, and assist with negotiation, settlement, or court proceedings where appropriate.
Advice about decisions made by public bodies, tribunal proceedings, and discrimination complaints. We help identify the issue, prepare the relevant material, and assess options such as a tribunal process or judicial review.
Advice and representation when facing a criminal allegation or charge. Assistance can include understanding the allegation and evidence, bail proceedings, preparing a defence, trial, and sentencing.
Legal and notarial services across the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
Notarial services
Provided by a practising BC lawyer. BC lawyers are also notaries public.
A copy checked against the original and certified as a true copy, where the recipient accepts this format.
Bring the original and the recipient’s instructions.
Written evidence sworn or affirmed before a lawyer. Commonly used in court proceedings and formal applications.
Bring the document and any exhibits. Wait to sign at the appointment.
A formal declaration that stated facts are true, for applications and other administrative purposes.
Bring the required form and instructions; sign before the lawyer.
Declarations or witnessed signatures requested by a government office or pension provider.
Send the form ahead so its particular requirements can be checked.
Witnessing your signature where a document calls for a lawyer or notary.
Bring the unsigned document and the recipient’s instructions.
Witnessing a parent’s or guardian’s consent for a child travelling abroad without them. Canada recommends having the letter witnessed by a notary.
Bring the proposed letter and travel details.
Assistance with signing a power of attorney. The wording, your understanding, and the applicable witnessing requirements need review.
Let us know if you also need the document prepared or advice on its effect.
Notarization for overseas use. The receiving country or organization may also require government authentication or an apostille.
Bring the destination’s requirements. An apostille is issued by the responsible government authority.
Reading Room
Plain-language guides to everyday BC legal problems, including work, money, consumer issues, wills, and planning. A useful place to understand your options before going deeper.
People’s Law School · Public legal education
Explore the guidesNew tabShort introductions to common legal questions in British Columbia. Useful when you want a quick overview of a topic and its key terms.
People’s Law School · Plain-language explainers
Browse legal topicsNew tabA librarian-curated starting point for BC legal questions. Find topic guides and resources from government, legal organizations, and public education providers.
Courthouse Libraries BC · Curated legal information
Explore ClicklawNew tabThe Residential Tenancy Branch’s information for landlords and tenants. Find tenancy rules, forms, and explanations of the dispute-resolution process.
Province of British Columbia · Official guidance
Visit the RTBNew tabTRAC’s guides explain renting from the tenant’s perspective, from starting a tenancy to repairs, moving out, and disputes. Useful alongside the RTB’s official material.
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre · Tenant education
Read TRAC’s guidesNew tabAn introduction to strata ownership, common property, and the roles of owners and strata councils. Start here to understand how a strata is organized.
Province of British Columbia · Official guidance
Read the strata guideNew tabGuides to separation, parenting, support, and the BC family justice system. Includes practical steps and information about court forms.
Legal Aid BC · Practical guides
Explore family law guidesNew tabA detailed guide to BC family law, written and maintained by legal contributors. Useful for a closer look at agreements, court processes, parenting, and financial issues.
Clicklaw Wikibooks · Detailed reference
Read the wikibookNew tabThe court’s guide to small claims proceedings, with information on starting or responding to a case and what to expect as it progresses.
Provincial Court of BC · Official court guide
Read the court guideNew tabThe court’s starting point for people without a lawyer. Find procedural information, self-help materials, and links for legal research.
Supreme Court of BC · Official court resources
View court resourcesNew tabAn overview of making or responding to a CRT claim, negotiation, facilitation, and a tribunal decision. Useful for understanding the stages before taking action.
Civil Resolution Tribunal · Official process guide
Explore the CRT processNew tabThe provincial legislation website. Look up BC statutes and regulations, and check the version and currency information when researching a particular provision.
Province of British Columbia · Legislation
Search BC legislationNew tabFree access to Canadian decisions and legislation. Useful for searching a case or legal issue; read the underlying judgment and check later treatment when relying on a decision.
Canadian Legal Information Institute · Legal research database
Search CanLIINew tabA broad BC reference compiled by law students and volunteer lawyers. Chapters cover common legal issues and services; check the edition date before relying on a chapter.
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program · BC legal reference
Browse the manualNew tabAccessible summaries of Supreme Court of Canada decisions. A useful introduction to what a case decided and why; follow through to the full judgment for the court’s reasons.
Supreme Court of Canada · Court-written summaries
Read Case in BriefNew tabRecently posted reasons from BC’s Court of Appeal. This is full legal material rather than a beginner’s guide, useful for following developments in the law.
Court of Appeal for BC · Published judgments
Browse recent judgmentsNew tabSearch the CRT’s published decisions to see how earlier disputes were considered. Outcomes turn on the evidence and law in each case.
Civil Resolution Tribunal · Published decisions
Search CRT decisionsNew tabA service connecting BC residents with legal professionals for an initial consultation. Review the current booking terms; a booking fee may apply and further work may involve fees.
Access Pro Bono · Referral service
View the referral serviceNew tabFind information about legal advice, representation, and other supports. Eligibility and coverage vary by service and situation; the site explains how to find out what may be available.
Legal Aid BC · Legal help
Explore legal aid servicesNew tabClicklaw’s directory of organizations offering legal help, including free and low-cost services. Use it to find a service suited to your issue and location, then check its intake requirements.
Courthouse Libraries BC · Service directory
Find a legal serviceNew tabPlain-language guides to everyday BC legal problems, including work, money, consumer issues, wills, and planning. A useful place to understand your options before going deeper.
People’s Law School · Public legal education
Explore the guidesNew tabShort introductions to common legal questions in British Columbia. Useful when you want a quick overview of a topic and its key terms.
People’s Law School · Plain-language explainers
Browse legal topicsNew tabA librarian-curated starting point for BC legal questions. Find topic guides and resources from government, legal organizations, and public education providers.
Courthouse Libraries BC · Curated legal information
Explore ClicklawNew tabThe Residential Tenancy Branch’s information for landlords and tenants. Find tenancy rules, forms, and explanations of the dispute-resolution process.
Province of British Columbia · Official guidance
Visit the RTBNew tabTRAC’s guides explain renting from the tenant’s perspective, from starting a tenancy to repairs, moving out, and disputes. Useful alongside the RTB’s official material.
Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre · Tenant education
Read TRAC’s guidesNew tabAn introduction to strata ownership, common property, and the roles of owners and strata councils. Start here to understand how a strata is organized.
Province of British Columbia · Official guidance
Read the strata guideNew tabGuides to separation, parenting, support, and the BC family justice system. Includes practical steps and information about court forms.
Legal Aid BC · Practical guides
Explore family law guidesNew tabA detailed guide to BC family law, written and maintained by legal contributors. Useful for a closer look at agreements, court processes, parenting, and financial issues.
Clicklaw Wikibooks · Detailed reference
Read the wikibookNew tabThe court’s guide to small claims proceedings, with information on starting or responding to a case and what to expect as it progresses.
Provincial Court of BC · Official court guide
Read the court guideNew tabThe court’s starting point for people without a lawyer. Find procedural information, self-help materials, and links for legal research.
Supreme Court of BC · Official court resources
View court resourcesNew tabAn overview of making or responding to a CRT claim, negotiation, facilitation, and a tribunal decision. Useful for understanding the stages before taking action.
Civil Resolution Tribunal · Official process guide
Explore the CRT processNew tabThe provincial legislation website. Look up BC statutes and regulations, and check the version and currency information when researching a particular provision.
Province of British Columbia · Legislation
Search BC legislationNew tabFree access to Canadian decisions and legislation. Useful for searching a case or legal issue; read the underlying judgment and check later treatment when relying on a decision.
Canadian Legal Information Institute · Legal research database
Search CanLIINew tabA broad BC reference compiled by law students and volunteer lawyers. Chapters cover common legal issues and services; check the edition date before relying on a chapter.
Law Students’ Legal Advice Program · BC legal reference
Browse the manualNew tabAccessible summaries of Supreme Court of Canada decisions. A useful introduction to what a case decided and why; follow through to the full judgment for the court’s reasons.
Supreme Court of Canada · Court-written summaries
Read Case in BriefNew tabRecently posted reasons from BC’s Court of Appeal. This is full legal material rather than a beginner’s guide, useful for following developments in the law.
Court of Appeal for BC · Published judgments
Browse recent judgmentsNew tabSearch the CRT’s published decisions to see how earlier disputes were considered. Outcomes turn on the evidence and law in each case.
Civil Resolution Tribunal · Published decisions
Search CRT decisionsNew tabA service connecting BC residents with legal professionals for an initial consultation. Review the current booking terms; a booking fee may apply and further work may involve fees.
Access Pro Bono · Referral service
View the referral serviceNew tabFind information about legal advice, representation, and other supports. Eligibility and coverage vary by service and situation; the site explains how to find out what may be available.
Legal Aid BC · Legal help
Explore legal aid servicesNew tabClicklaw’s directory of organizations offering legal help, including free and low-cost services. Use it to find a service suited to your issue and location, then check its intake requirements.
Courthouse Libraries BC · Service directory
Find a legal serviceNew tabPeople’s Law School: Plain-language guides to everyday BC legal problems, including work, money, consumer issues, wills, and planning. A useful place to understand your options before going deeper.
Selected BC and Canadian resources. General information; each situation is different.
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Westmere Law provides legal and notarial services to clients across the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
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