There's a new project in BC aimed at giving children a greater voice in court proceedings.
The Society for Children and Youth of BC has launched a project that provides independent legal assistance for young people who are involved in family-law and child-protection cases.
Donna Maser, Managing Lawyer, Child and Youth Legal Centre Project says the organization takes the view that children are entitled to basic legal advice even without parental consent.
"If the matter goes further, if it's a court matter and the parents don't agree that the child or youth should have a lawyer, or the benefit of legal advice, under the Family Law Act we can obtain a court order for us to be appointed."
Money for the program launched in late October comes from the Law Foundation of BC and the Law Foundation of Ontario.
Funding for the project has been secured until 2020.