Legal Life Skills

How can I find reliable legal info

Legal skills

Last Reviewed:

June, 2025

Reviewed By:

JES Legal Specialist

legal-expert-in-the-digital-age-business-finance
BIG IDEA

Laws can be complex and different depending on where you are, so getting info from the right source helps avoid confusion.

3 steps to finding reliable information

1. Who is the author or source?

Is it a reliable source? The law is complicated and easy for even very smart, informed people to misunderstand. It is important to go to sources who are experts in a particular area of law.

  • Is it a government or established legal non-profit organization?
  • Who wrote it? Do they have expertise?
  • Who funds them?
  • Are they selling something?
  • Is it legally reviewed?
  • Do they have contact information?

2. Is the information relevant?

Where does the information apply? Laws are different in different countries and even different provinces. Laws only apply in certain areas called their “jurisdiction”. Make sure you have information that is relevant to BC.

  • Does it say where the information applies?

3. Is it up to date?

Is the information recent? Laws change over time. If it is more than a couple years old you may wish to corroborate with other sources.

  • When was it last reviewed?
  • Has there been any changes in the law since it was published?

Hot Tip

Legal information is different from most information. The law is technical, it changes, it is different depending on where you are. Smart, informed people can easily misunderstand it. This is why, while it is fine to ask your friends, family, and the internet about your situation, it is important to at least confirm their information is correct with expert sources.