Connecting people and lawyers

By John Blois

The idea behind the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS): Many people need legal help at some point. But because legal problems are not that common, many people may not know if their problem is legal. The Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) refers these people to lawyers so they can learn if they have a legal problem and then hire a lawyer. It also helps lawyers find clients. 

The Law Society started and ran LRS until the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) took over in 1971. Nearly 2,100 lawyers currently participate in LRS. Both Canadian Bar Association (CBA) and non-CBA members can join. The Law Foundation of B.C. funds the program.

Half an hour for $25 to learn if problem is legal: LRS lets people consult a lawyer for up to 30 minutes for $25 to find out if they have a legal problem. In some cases, the problem is resolved at the first meeting. If the problem requires work beyond the first half hour, the person and the lawyer may agree to continue at the lawyer’s regular rate. LRS can also help people find a lawyer to meet specific needs, such as speaking a certain language or accepting legal aid. 

How LRS works: When a person calls LRS (open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) an operator asks what the problem is and in what city the person wants to meet with a lawyer. The operator decides what type of law is involved and gives the person the name and number for a lawyer near them who practises that type of law. The person can then phone the lawyer to make an appointment, explaining that LRS gave them the lawyer’s name. This ensures they get the first 30 minutes for $25. 

LRS confirms the referral with the lawyer and then moves the lawyer’s name to the bottom of the referral list. But if the person does not contact the lawyer within two weeks, and the lawyer lets LRS know that, the lawyer’s name goes back to the top of the list.

Who uses LRS: Thousands of people in B.C. have used LRS since 1955. Table 1 shows the top-10 areas of law for referrals, from July 2010 to June 2011.

Why lawyers join LRS: They get free advertising and immediate referrals – more than 35,000 in 2010/2011. They also provide a valuable public service. It’s free and easy to join. Table 2 shows some LRS referrals by type of law and location, and the number of lawyers who received them, from July 2010 to June 2011.

How to join LRS: Go to the CBABC website at www.cba.org/BC/Initiatives/main/lawyer_referral.aspx for an instruction letter, an online registration form, and detailed information. For inquiries call 604-687-3221 or 1-800-663-1919.

Cristen Gleeson is Co-Chair of the Fraser Valley Family Law Section and is a partner at Baker Newby LLP.

This article was published in the February 2012 issue of BarTalk. © 2012 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.