Seeking to support the private sponsorship efforts of BC individuals, groups and social service agencies, Access Pro Bono launched its new Refugee Program on November 23, 2015. The Program locates and helps volunteer lawyers to provide free legal advice and assistance to British Columbians wishing to sponsor refugees from Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

Program lawyers provide free legal advice and assistance to self-identified sponsors for the benefit of refugees as they seek to settle in BC. APB arranges full insurance coverage with waived deductibles and surcharges for all Law Society of BC members in good standing who provide legal help through the Program. APB also extends limited disbursement coverage to Program cases.

Prospective refugee sponsors seeking free legal help may contact APB by telephone at 604-424-8286. Lawyers seeking to volunteer with the Program, or seeking APB's support for their pro bono representation of pre-identified sponsors, may also contact APB by telephone at 604-424-8286 or register for the Program at http://www.accessprobono.ca/lawyer-registration .