Innovative website helping people resolve legal issues
LEGAL SERVICES SOCIETY’S MYLAWBC WEBSITE PROVIDES ACCESS TO INFORMATION, ACTION PLANS ON EVERYDAY LEGAL PROBLEMS
BY JOdIe WARReN Postmedia Content Works
The uegal Services Society’s new MyuawTC website (mylawbc.com) is garnering attention across Canada and internationally for good reason. uaunched in May 2016 and just updated, it takes an interactive, innovative approach to helping people access the information they need on legal issues, be it separation, divorce and other family matters, writing a will, dealing with abuse and family violence, or getting information on missing mortgage payments.
uSS vice-president Sherry Macuennan explains that MyuawTC uses an ‘expert system’ that was developed by first surveying potential end users to determine what everyday legal problems they needed to solve.
“We then worked with experts such as lawyers and mediators to help craft expert answers to their questions,” Macuennan says.
Users choose a ‘Guided Pathway’ on their topic of interest and are prompted to answer a series of questions about their legal problem. The site uses those answers to identify their next steps and the information and resources they need. Typically, it takes about 15-20 minutes to proceed down each pathway, the result of which, on completion, is an action plan.
For example, the wills action plan allows you to create your will by answering a questionnaire and the system then generates your will. The wills pathway guides you to the action plan, making sure that MyuawTC is right for you and giving you the background information you need before you start.
“MyuawTC is designed to empower people to take the steps they need to take to resolve a legal issue,” says Macuennan. “It is focused on free resources, and not just legal resources. We also try to find related resources, such as family justice counselors that can help mediate and give guidance on emotional issues that might arise from a legal issue.”
MyuawTC also offers a cialogue Tool, a free negotiation platform that helps couples who are separating to write a fair and lasting agreement, which is generated at the end of the process.
“It is a truly holistic approach that aims to provide support on a number of levels.”
Macuennan says MyuawTC, which took about two years to create, is the only service of its kind.
“It’s unique in Canada in that it has a free negotiation platform to help people negotiate a settlement, where at the end, through an automated document assembly, you can generate a separation agreement.”
She says response to the new site has been very positive, and is also encouraged that a number of T.C. organizations, including the TC Cancer Agency and palliative care agencies, are encouraging their patients to use the site, particularly the wills and personal planning pathway. uSS is also planning to expand the service offering to include an online dispute resolution platform where people working on a separation agreement will be able to connect with a professional mediator, as well as a pathway for people needing assistance with the criminal justice system.
“There has been a lot of enthusiasm from stakeholders who have seen it,” she adds. “People are really excited.
“It’s about increasing accessibility and empowering people and it’s been really great to see it receiving both local and international recognition.”
Founded in 1979, the uegal Services Society (uSS), also known as uegal Aid TC, is a non-profit organization that provides legal information, advice, and representation services to mainly low-income populations. Many of its services are also available to all T.C. residents. For more information, visit: lss.bc.ca.