Dial-a-lawyer event in B.C. sees increased volume

For the 15th year in B.C., two dozen lawyers will volunteer their time to give 15 minutes of free legal advice for callers to a hot line.

"Certainly over the past few years the economy hasn't been great, and I think people are looking for ways they can save all around," said Jennifer Chow, president of the B.C. branch of the Canadian Bar Association. "And if they can save on legal costs certainly they will seek that out."

"With some of the cut backs thatwe've seen over the years [to]legal aid services, it has driven people to seek different ways of getting free legal advice," she added.

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The free call in which now answers 300 calls in fourshours will take place on Saturday, April 16from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT and isavailable in ten different languages.

It's part of the CBA'sLaw Week, which has been held across Canada since 1983 to help people understand and access the justice system.

Lawyers on the free call-in can cover questions relating to:

• Family law.
• Wills andestates.
• Tort andmotor vehicle accidents.
• Immigration.
• Business.
• Criminal law.
• Employment.

Most of the time, the free 15 minutes helps people figure out if they need more legal services, or what exists to help them accomplish their goals on their own. For example, buying anat-home will kitrather than hiring a lawyer or notary.

Chow's only caution with the free 15 minutes is to realize how quickly it goes.

"I think sometimes with 15 minutes you forget that's a very short period of time, and you start off wanting to tell the whole story. And then by the end of the 15 minutes you realizethat you haven't really answered a question, or asked a question."

Chow advises callers to writedown a focus statement before speaking with one of the lawyers volunteering their time.