Recorded on September 29, 2026
Length 60 minutes
Summary
What free and low-cost legal help is available to British Columbians? Who’s eligible to receive it? What if you can’t afford a lawyer, but DIY is not an option? When — if ever — can you rely on AI for legal questions? Learn answers to these questions and more from lawyers who are increasing access to free and low-cost legal help.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn about:
Introduction to free, low-cost and AI-supported options
Free and low-cost legal services offered in British Columbia. [5:25]
Unbundled legal services to help reduce your legal costs. [10:00]
Publicly available digital and AI resources that can help reduce legal costs and increase access to justice. [14:00]
Specific examples
Access Pro Bono, the types of services it offers, and who is eligible to use those services. [19:20]
Unbundled options in a family law practice and contexts outside of family law. [21:45]
Using AI and digital services to increase access to small claims court. [26:05]
Maximizing benefits
How to best use Access Pro Bono’s services. [29:45]
Unbundling strategically in a family law proceeding. [32:35]
What you can do to keep your legal costs down. [36:35]
Limitations
The limits of Access Pro Bono and when you need to retain a lawyer. [37:35]
When unbundling is unsuitable in a family law context. [39:10]
Safety measures you can take and what to avoid when using an AI tool. [41:15]
Live questions
Low-cost executor or estate trustee options to be named in a will. [45:20]
Legal services available to low-income seniors to update their will. [47:00]
Whether all lawyers offer unbundled legal services. [47:40]
Whether unbundled services can be provided through Legal Aid BC to extend access to a lawyer in a complex family matter that takes years to resolve. [49:10]
Legal services offered by designated paralegals, as well as notaries public, who are also licensed legal professionals. [50:50]
Tips or considerations for community legal advocates when advocating for a client seeking legal representation. [52:50]
Strategies for dealing with a contractual dispute, like a dispute about long term disability benefits. [54:05]
Featuring
Matt Canzer
Matt Canzer is a certified legal coach and practicing lawyer with over 15 years of litigation experience. He has spent much of his career in the courtroom, handling a wide range of civil disputes and serving as a criminal prosecutor. He is the founder of Butterfly Legal, where he focuses on helping self-represented litigants navigate small claims court with clarity and confidence. His goal is to make the legal system more understandable, less intimidating, and truly accessible to everyone — even those without any legal training. Matt is a director of the Legal Coaches Association, a supervising lawyer with the Everyone Legal Clinic, and a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of BC, the Boutique Counsel Network, and the Canadian Bar Association.
Jamie Maclaren, KC
Jamie Maclaren, KC, is the Founding Executive Director of Access Pro Bono and a former Vice-President of the Social Planning and Research Council of BC. He is also a sole practitioner with a primary focus on civil litigation, and a secondary focus on solicitor's work for small businesses. Jamie provides affordable legal services to individuals, non-profit organizations and small businesses alike. Service and fee arrangements are tailored to each client's specific circumstances with the aim of providing maximum access to quality legal counsel.
Chyanne Sharma
Chyanne Sharma is a litigation family lawyer with Crossroads Law who helps her clients with divorce and separation, parenting arrangements, child and spousal support, property and debt division, and prenuptial and separation agreements. Chyanne recognizes that the justice system can be intimidating and is highly skilled at helping her clients navigate one of the most difficult times of their lives. While her initial approach is to resolve family law matters reasonably and amicably, she understands that court is sometimes necessary to achieve the right outcome. Chyanne has appeared in the Provincial Court and Supreme Court of BC and has successfully run family law trials.
Attendee feedback
“This was the best overview of accessing the legal profession on a budget — thank you!”
“This was my first session and it was wonderful. I'm thrilled to be able to access this information and grateful to the People's Law School and the lawyers who made themselves available to offer information and their expertise. Thank you so much.”
“As always great information presented in an understandable language.”
“I really appreciated information about using AI. As well, I wasn't aware of the trend to unbundling — when I last checked a few years ago absolutely no lawyer would even consider this cost-saving measure. It is wonderful that it is now coming into light.”
“Thank you for the information. The three panelists all need an hour or more each! A wealth of information.”
“Thank you so much for ALL the information. We feel a little more equipped to help our senior neighbors.”
“Thank you all for a very informative and useful webinar. It is very much appreciated.🙏”
“All these webinars have been helpful in some way, some in more ways than others at least by providing me with information for future reference even if not applicable currently.”
“An amazing and helpful webinar as ever — very grateful for this resource!!!”
Additional resources
From People’s Law School:
Beagle+, a tool for BC legal information, powered by generative AI
Other AI-powered tools for legal information:
More from our panelists:
Access Pro Bono, for legal advice and representation for those of limited means
Everyone Legal Clinic, for affordable fixed-fee services for a range of legal problems
BC Legal Referral Service, to connect with lawyers who offer unbundled legal services
Butterfly Legal, Matt Canzer’s firm
Crossroads Law, Chyanne Sharma’s firm
Other options for legal help:
Legal Aid BC, for government-funded legal aid
PovNet, to find a community legal advocate
BC Notaries Association, to find a notary public
Seniors First BC, for legal assistance for older adults
Other sources of legal information:
CanLII, for laws, cases & secondary sources
BC Laws, for Rules of Court and tribunal rules
Courthouse Libraries BC, including Ask a Librarian
Clicklaw, for legal information aimed at the public
Nidus, for information on personal planning and wills