CourtInformation.ca

The Court Information Program for Immigrants (CIPI) is a free service designed to help new immigrants and refugees understand BC’s court system. Clients can be new immigrants or refugees who will be appearing in court as an accused, victim, witness or party in a civil suit.

CIPI’s court workers provide services in English, French, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi, and Hindi and can provide information and referrals to help you solve your legal problems. Services are provided in person at the Vancouver Main Street Provincial Courthouse or the Surrey Provincial Courthouse, by telephone or by email.

Our Court Workers

• Provide court orientations, court tours and an introduction to BC’s court system
• Explain the documents associated with court
• Help clients understand the legal terms of the justice system
• Assist clients with the court appearance process and court applications
• Provide clients with information on criminal, civil, family and youth court structure and procedures
• Show clients the courtroom and explain the roles of court personnel
• Provide pamphlets about the court system in various languages
• Facilitate educational workshops with community groups
• Educate justice system personnel about language and cultural differences
• Provide referral services to various community and government services and programs
• Accompany and assist clients in the legal aid application process

CIPI court workers are not interpreters in court. They do not give legal advice and they do not act as advocates for the client.   

Workshops

Workshops facilitated by CIPI court workers are available on four topics and can be customized for your group or staff, including ESL classes run by immigrant-serving organizations. Workshop topics include:

• Overview of Court Processes
• Introduction to Family Justice Systems
  • Separation & Divorce
  • Family Justice Systems in BC - Self Help
  • Surviving Relationship Violence and Abuse
• Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems
  • Understanding Court Orders and Hearings
  • Being Charged
  • Breach of Court Orders
• Overview of Small Claims Court

The length of the workshops can also vary from one hour to an entire day and can be conducted at courthouse locations, community venues or local service agencies.

Our Staff

About This Website

This website was developed by the Justice Education Society and made possible through funding from the Province of British Columbia, Law Foundation and the City of Vancouver.