What Is a Justice Access Centre in BC and Who Can Use It?

If you are separating, arguing about parenting time, or trying to sort out support, the court system can feel like the only option. It is not. British Columbia has several public services that can help you work things out, and Justice Access Centres are one of them.

This article explains what a Justice Access Centre is, what it offers for family matters, and how it differs from similar services with similar names. It is general information, not advice about your own situation.

This article covers the law of British Columbia.

What a Justice Access Centre offers

Justice Access Centres offer free family justice services. They are a place to get help with family problems outside a courtroom, and a common service is mediation.

Which services are available, and how often, can differ from one centre to the next. Contact the centre nearest you to confirm what it offers before you plan around it.

How mediation works there

Mediation at a Justice Access Centre takes place in a neutral, informal setting where a trained mediator helps you discuss the issues. The mediator does not give legal advice. That means the mediator will not tell you what a court would likely decide or which side is right.

If the counsellor is not trained to mediate your particular problem, you may be referred to a private mediator, to child protection mediation, or to a notice to mediate.

• Mediation is a conversation, not a hearing.
• You can still get your own legal advice separately before or during the process.
• Mediation may not suit every situation, which is especially important if safety is a concern.

Safety and family violence

Family dispute resolution professionals must assess, in accordance with the regulations, whether family violence may be present. If it may be, they must consider how it may affect a party's safety and ability to negotiate a fair agreement.

If you are afraid of the other person, tell the professional early. A court may also make a protection order when family violence is likely to occur and the other person is an at-risk family member, and that order does not need to be part of any other court case. Unless the court orders otherwise, a protection order expires one year after it is made.

When deciding whether to make a protection order, the court must consider risk factors, including the history of family violence and whether it is repetitive or escalating. How this applies to you depends on your situation, so it is worth confirming with a lawyer.

Similar services that are easy to confuse

Family Justice Centres also provide a needs assessment, legal information with referrals for advice, safety referrals, and a free Parenting After Separation course. Some referred services are based on financial need, so you may be asked about your income.

Family Justice Counsellors are accredited mediators who provide mediation, and child support disputes can use facilitated negotiation with a child support officer. If mediation is not suitable, staff help with next steps or referrals. The Online Divorce Assistant only works where both spouses agree on all issues.

Family Law Centres are law clinics funded by the Province and delivered by Legal Aid BC. To use one, you must be experiencing family violence and have at least one additional eligible legal issue, and parenting arrangements have been an eligible issue since June 22, 2026. They prioritize survivors who have fled an abusive partner within the past six months. They have in-person offices in Surrey and Victoria, plus virtual services in a number of communities.

How to get started

Because locations and booking methods can change, the safest step is to contact a centre directly and ask how to arrange an appointment. If you are not sure which service fits, the Family Justice Centre line is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at 1-844-747-3963. Services are also available by telephone and video conference for families separated by distance.

If you may end up in Provincial Court, ask about Early Resolution Registries, which in the Vancouver Coastal, Vancouver Fraser, Vancouver Island and Interior regions require specific steps before a Provincial Court family case proceeds. If you want a lawyer for only part of your matter, you can ask about unbundling, where you and the lawyer decide which tasks each will do.

• Write down the issues: parenting, support, property, or a mix.
• Note any safety concerns and mention them when you call.
• Gather basic documents such as any existing agreements or court orders.
• Ask whether the service is free and whether you will be asked about income.
• Consider speaking with a lawyer for advice before you sign any agreement.

Frequently asked questions