Your online resource

by Patricia Jordan

In the October issue of BarTalk I wrote about practice resources that are available online. Here is an introduction to a few more resources that can be found at www.cba.org/bc in “Practice Resources.”

Member Dispute Resolution Service
If you have a conflict with another lawyer or staff, and you’re looking for outside help to resolve it, try the CBA Member Dispute Resolution Service. Lawyer volunteers will talk to you on a confidential basis to help work out disputes that aren't reportable Law Society matters.

Professional Development
Gain insight into today’s issues through CBA National’s CLE programs and the CLE Society of B.C.’s programs.

Standard Real Estate Forms
The standard form real estate contract of purchase and sale developed by CBABC and the B.C. Real Estate Association is available under “Information Kits & Standard Forms.”

Dial-A-Law Online
Dial-A-Law is a public service operated by the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch and funded by the Law Foundation of B.C. It consists of a library of scripts prepared by lawyers to provide practical information on specific areas of law as they apply in B.C.

Dial-A-Law is available on the B.C. Branch website, and also by phone as recorded scripts.

Here are some quick facts about Dial-A-Law:

• Between January and mid-November 2004, more than 73,000 online scripts were downloaded. That’s double the number downloaded last year.
• In 2003, 34,885 online scripts were downloaded.
• Dial-A-Law is now available in Chinese and Punjabi.
• Dial-A-Law is a free, convenient way for the public to learn about the law and their rights as residents of B.C.
• To access Dial-A-Law by phone, call 604-687-4680 or 1-800-565-5297.

New in the CBABC Newsroom is information on the CBA MLA Contact Network. The provincial government hears from many interest groups and organizations, each with a vested interest in shaping policy and influencing decision-making. The CBA MLA Contact Network provides members with an opportunity to play an important role as the profession’s first line of contact with our province’s elected officials. The MLA Network pairs members of Provincial Council with each of B.C.’s MLAs at a local, or constituency, level.

Patricia Jordan is the CBABC Manager, Interactive Media. She welcomes your comments, questions and suggestions. You can reach Patricia at 604.646.7861 or email pjordan@bccba.org.

This article was published in the December 2004 issue of BarTalk. © 2004 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.