NEWS
COVID-19 UPDATE: PHONE & VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS ONLY
FROM IDEA TO REALITY: THE EVOLUTION OF SOUTH ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC OF BC
WHO WE ARE
The South Asian Legal Clinic of British Columbia focuses on issues affecting the daily lives of South Asian British Columbians, including legal issues around immigration status, child protection and custody, separation and divorce, domestic violence, sexual assault, racial discrimination and profiling, economic justice for workers, elder abuse, mental health, and wills and estates. We recognize the importance of delivering culturally sensitive and appropriate legal advice and legal information to those who face barriers in accessing legal services, and navigating the justice system.
LEGAL CLINIC
SUMMARY LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC
Our free summary legal advice clinic aims to serve people who self-identify as South Asian and who meet our low-income threshold. We recognize the importance of delivering culturally sensitive and appropriate legal advice and information to those who face barriers in accessing legal services and navigating the justice system. We offer services in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
SALCBC offers summary legal advice and information related to immigration status, child protection and custody, separation and divorce, domestic violence, sexual assault, racial discrimination and profiling, economic justice for workers, elder abuse, mental health, and wills and estates.
SALBC believes in working with community partners. We have partnered with the Surrey Library, who host our clinics 3 times per month on Wednesdays at their City Centre branch, and with Access Pro Bono BC, who manage our clinic intake and scheduling.
To make an appointment, please call 1-877-762-6664 or 604-878-7400 and ask for an appointment with the South Asian Legal Clinic of BC to begin the booking process.
OUR STORY
The South Asian Legal Clinic of BC was established by a group of South Asian women in BC who witnessed first-hand the gaps in access to justice for South Asian people in the province. Our inaugural board sought feedback from legal service providers, community services providers, and other stakeholders, which confirmed the need for a dedicated South Asian legal clinic in the province.
We registered as a non-profit society in May 2019, and began offering pro bono legal services through our clinic in September 2019.
OUR BOARD
TINA PARBHAKAR
Co-Chair
Tina is a lawyer, previously a civil litigator with the BC Ministry of Justice, who has a growing focus on child and youth rights and law, including restorative approaches. She is also interested in public administration, gender relations, and community engagement. She is the 2020 recipient of the Equality and Diversity Award from the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and is on the executive of the International Law and Children’s Law Sections. She has worked on supporting access to justice for children and youth in East Africa and on violence against women in politics in India. She is a member of Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada and the City of North Vancouver's Social Planning Advisory Committee.
CONTACT SOUTH ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
