Steps to building legal capability
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When you understand the law and know how to handle legal issues, you can make better decisions, avoid trouble, and resolve problems more easily.
Step 1: Start early
Recognize when you could have a legal issue and take steps to resolve it right away. What communications would improve the situation? Legal issues are simpler, cheaper and less stressful when dealt with early.
Step 2: Do your research
Look for reliable, relevant, and up-to-date information and legal help from expert sources. What are your rights and responsibilities? Does the law support your desired outcome? What are the dispute resolution options? Are there any mandatory processes or deadlines?
Step 3: Consider your options
Identify what you really want. What outcome would make you feel satisfied? Assess different ways to deal with an issue and the potential benefits and drawbacks of each. Take into consideration the cost, time, and skill required for each option. Know that there are a range of free and low-cost legal help options, in addition to hiring a lawyer, to help you throughout.
Step 4: Build your case
What do you want? What are your legal reasons? What do you need to prove? How are you going to prove it? Gather evidence. Keep and organize important documents, get communications in writing, keep a record of important dates, take pictures and video, keep receipts.
Step 5: Work it out
Many issues can be resolved without involving a formal process. Try working out a solution that is reasonable for everyone. There are services that can help you come to an agreement. If you can’t, consider using the formal disputes resolution processes available.
Step 6: You can do this!
Resolving legal issues takes time and may be frustrating, but you can do it! It’s normal to take more than one attempt to work out a problem. Be sure to take care of yourself and reach out for help when you need it.
What Rights and Responsibilities Do I have at the Age...
International Rights of the Child
UN Convention on the Right of the Child that apply to you up until you are 18. All children have the right
- Not to be discriminated against
- To live, be safe and develop to your fullest potential
- To have a voice heard and respected in decisions that impact you
- To have adults make decisions about you that are in your best interest
Dig deeper in Kids have rights!
Have a Voice
Adults making decisions about you should take your views seriously, even if they might not always be able to do exactly what you want.
This right becomes especially important if your parents are separating or you are in the government’s care. You have the right to express your views on things that impact your life. See Your Rights in Care: What You Need to Know and Dealing with Your Parents’ Separation or Divorce.
Register for List of Future Votes
The minimum age Canadian citizens can vote in municipal, provincial or federal elections is 18. If you are 16 or 17 you can register on the List of Future Voters which will automatically register you to vote when you turn 18. You can learn more about registering to the Future Voter list at Elections BC.