About

What We Do

The ability to independently access the legal system is a challenge for ordinary British Columbians. More and more people are trying to resolve legal matters on their own, however most are unfamiliar with how to properly prepare legal forms or prepare to appear before a court or tribunal.

Amici Curiae Friendship Society (AC Friends of Court) is a charity that offers lectures and confidential workshops that help the public complete the paperwork necessary to present a matter to court or a tribunal. No legal advice is given on anything other than completing legal forms.

The public service programme was launched in September 2010, encouraged by then Supreme Court of BC Chief Justice Donald Brenner. The first workshop was held in February 8, 2011, in partnership with Access Pro Bono BC and the Ministry of the Attorney General Justice Access Centre (Vancouver). Since then, workshops have been established through a network of strategic partnerships.

Three in-person workshops are now available. Virtual services are available for British Columbians. We operate from January to November.

Who We Are

Amici curiae means "friends of the court" in Italian. Amici Curiae Friendship Society is also known as AC Friends of Court.

AC Friends of Court is powered by paralegals, newly called lawyers, law school students, law librarians and law accountants, supervised by lawyers and supported by the profession.

On November 21, 2019, the Amici Curiae Friendship Society became a registered charity under the Income Tax Act.

A Board of Directors oversees our work. The Board provides policy direction aimed at achieving our goal of effectively increasing access to justice.

The Board is chaired by a Justice of the BC Supreme Court who is joined by two Provincial Court Judges, 2 members of the public including a self-litigant, 4 lawyers, a paralegal, an arbitrator, and a chartered accountant.

The Principle of Equal Access to Justice

AC’s services are provided on the principle of equal access to justice. This principle means going beyond the application of a simple financial eligibility test.

The principle of equal access to justice includes an assessment of an individual’s capacity to navigate what has become a complex and inaccessible legal system for many British Columbians.

This principle of equal access to legal services has become even more relevant as we continue to deal with the effects of the health and environmental challenges.

For racialized British Columbians, providing reliable resources and support services in a language of their choice is equally crucial.