= & bi Fa 2 a R e fA a te 09 SH ae SEL ETuTe, How to find a lawyer Legal services available locally OFTEN WE don’t realize that our “*personal’’ problems are really legal problems. For example: *you and your spouse have decided to live separately; but what about custody of the children, access to them, maintenance, mortgage payments, and income tax implications? * you suffered injuries in a car accident, and ICBC has offered a settlement; but what about your long-term medical needs, future insurance premiums, and whether you were partly to blame? *you have decided to buy a home, and the real estate agent wants yeu to sign an_ interim agreement; but what about financ- ing, mortgage terms, appliances, existing tenancies, and a cash de- posit? As you can see, it's very impor- tant to recognize how the law penetrates our daily lives. If you think that you may have a legal problem, a good place to start is the DIAL-A-LAW pro- gram of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Call toll-free and listen to one of their six-minute pre-recorded messages on a wide range of legal topics, for some initial information. Then, if you decide to contact a lawyer, do it promptly; delay may be very expensive and may jeop- ardize your rights. To call DIAL-A-LAW from Greater Van- couver call 687-4680; outside Greater Vancouver, call toll-free 1-800-972-0956. Another source of initial legal information is the Law Line, operated by the Legal Services Society. Call 660-4673. FINDING A LAWYER You may want to rely on the recommendation of a relative, friend, or employer when sear- ching for a lawyer. If you can’t afford to hire a lawyer, you may qualify for legal aid. Look in the ‘‘Legal Services’” block ad at the beginning of the ““Lawyers” heading in the Yellow Pages or Pink Pages, or call Van- couver 660-4600. If you don’t know any lawyers, call the Lawyer Referral Service operated by the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. The Association will give you the name of a lawyer near you and can arrange a half-hour interview with the lawyer for $10. WHAT TO EXPECT © Professional Service — your lawyer acts for you and represents your interests alone, but not being personally involved in the dispute can give balanced, impartial ad- vice. You can expect competent advice and action, and he or she will keep you informed as the case proceeds. e Privacy — anything you tell your lawyer for the purpose of obtaining legal advice is confiden- tial, and your lawyer is not allow- ed to disclose it without your con- sent. e Advice — your lawyer is trained to give legal advice as to your rights and duties. But it is you, the client, whe must decide what action you want to take. * Fees — you pay your lawyer for his or her time, knowledge and skill. So, the more organized and prepared you are, the less it will cost. TO PREPARE FOR AN APPOINTMENT e call ahead, and make an ap- pointment. * gather together all relevant papers and documents, and put them in order. °if appropriate, write out a chronology of events. e if appropriate, prepare a list of names, addresses and teleptione numbers of witnesses. e write out the points on which you want legal advice. AT THE OFFICE Befurz your lawyer can give ad- vice or recommend action, he or she must know aff the facts. So: ® be ready to tell the story, but keep to the facts. etell the whole story; your lawyer needs to know the damag- ing facts too, and as early on as possible. *answer your lawyer’s ques- tions as fully as possible, even though you may not realize the purpose of some questions at the time. Don’t hesitate to ask your lawyer questions that are bother- ing you: * what needs to be done? © how long will it take? *what are my chances of suc- cess? *how much will it cost, and how will you bill me? * what can I do to speed things up and to keep costs down? IF PROBLEMS ARISE Occasionally a lawyer and client will disagree. It may be over how to conduct the case, fees, or what you believe is improper conduct by the lawyer. You do have some options, to resolve these conflicts: ¢ Changing tawyers — subject to paying your lawyer's account for services already provided, you may hire another lawyer and have your case transferred. © Your lawyer's bill — if you think that your lawyer's account is too high, you may apply to a Reg- istrar of the B.C. Supreme Court to review it. This is called a ‘‘tax- ation.** — from Need a Lawyer?, a publication of the Law Society of British Columbia (669-2533) and the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. branch (687-3404). Law Office of aia Douglas A. Sarkissian B.comm.. 1.1.8. (Hons Barrister & Solicitor, Serving West & North Vancouver at 15th and Marine Drive mbleside since 1985 926-7776 North Shore Legal Call for a free consultation in the following areas: © general civil litigation ¢ wrongful dismissal ® motor vehicle injury claims e slip and fail ¢ matrimonial @ real estate / mortgages e wills and estates Lynn Valley Centre Lynn Valley Rd. & Mountain Hwy. Call 985-8000 " BALDWIN. & COMPANY ' + Law Offices ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER Sunday, September 2, 1990 — North Shore News - 19 Barristers & Solicitors Personal Injury FREE INITIAL CCNSULTATION AFTER HOURS FAX 645-8989 986-4366 986-9286 #300-1401 LONSDALE NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. JupDsON B. WARNER Real Estate Conveyancing & Mortgages * Corporations Wills & Estates « Collections Criminal Law ¢ Persona! Injury / 1.C.B.C. Claims BARRISTER & SCLICITOR FREE INITIAL EVENING & WEEKEND sem, — 986-4555 “nesue 119 - 255 WEST 1ST, NORTH VANCOUVER V7M 3G8 IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES \f you have concerns relating to separa- tion, divorce or custody issues that re- quire prompt and knowledgeable legai attention, call Paddi Arthur, Doug Crawford, Gerry Green or Debra Van Ginkel, our family law team. You wilt receive the thorough attention you deserve, and the experience of the firm's lawyers will work to protect your best interests. If you'd prefer, a qualified mediator is also available. All of these services are available for a fair and reasonable fee. - BRADBROOKE ane tee__, GRAWFORD oer legelmatercalussiseoae7, Gt GREEN #600-771 W. Esplanade, North Vancouver, B.C., V7M 3J9 - _RATCLIFF & COMPANY : . Barristers. and: Solicitors NORTH SHORE’S OLDEST & LARGEST LAW FIRM INJURY & ACCIDENT CLAIMS CRIMINAL LAW DIVORCE & FAMILY LAW WILLS, ESTATES & TRUST REAL ESTATE & MORTGAGES COMMERCIAL & CORPORATE LAW NATIVE LAW = 988-5201 ih #103 - 133 West 15th Street North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 1R8 BRANCH OFFICES #211 - 3030 Lincoln Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 6B4 1280 Marine Dr. North Vancouver V7P 1T2