Access to Justice Week BC 2026 is approaching!
February 2 to 6, 2026 marks Access to Justice Week in British Columbia – a province-wide chance to come together, reflect, learn, and imagine what a more accessible, equitable, and effective justice system can look like for everyone.
This year’s theme, From Challenges to Possibilities: Reimagining Access to Justice, invites us to explore not just what isn’t working, but what is working and what can work. That means looking at how research, practice, and innovation can help us better understand the outcomes our justice system creates and identify models that reach people who may otherwise be left behind.
Across BC, people continue to face challenges that can create or worsen legal issues — from economic pressures and social inequities to complex problems that intersect with housing, family life, employment, health, and identity. These realities open space for reinvention. Access to Justice Week BC is a chance to spotlight the people who are shaping change: From law students and community advocates, to educators, researchers, and frontline legal professionals. We are particularly interested in hearing about how access to justice can be better woven into daily learning and work, how to strengthen connections to improve service delivery, and how to renew our collective purpose toward meaningful change.
Access to Justice Week BC brings together a diverse lineup of in‑person and virtual events. Throughout the week, participants can expect sessions that explore the structural roots of access to justice challenges, highlight the lived realities of rural and racialized communities, and introduce emerging approaches such as restorative practices, mental‑health‑informed advocacy, and the use of AI to support self‑represented litigants.
The week also includes discussions on the role of academia and public legal information and education, as well as opportunities to connect with networks like Access to Justice BC and the Transform the Family Justice System (TFJS) Collaborative, which act as catalysts for collective action and intersectoral collaboration. Sessions throughout the week will be hosted by the three BC-based law schools, the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch, the Continuing Legal Education Society and the Amici Curiae Friendship Society. Featured speakers include BC’s Attorney General, the Honourable Niki Sharma, KC, legal practitioners, legal scholars, and human rights experts. Discussions will span legal practice areas, technology, human rights, lived experience, and system design. Thus, the content accurately reflects the complex landscape of access to justice and the many ways innovation happens within the justice ecosystem. For more specific details of the week’s events, please visit: https://accesstojusticebc.ca/a2jweekbc/.
We encourage everyone who cares about justice to take part in Access to Justice Week BC: Attend sessions, share insights, spark connections, and think deeply about how your work, studies, and lived experiences can contribute to a justice system that better serves all people. You can stay connected and help build momentum by using #A2JWeekBC in your posts and by following updates from partner organizations across the province.
Access to Justice Week BC goes beyond a single week of recognition: It’s an invitation to ask tough questions, find common ground, and imagine what a more human-centred justice system could look like. Join us in turning challenges into possibilities.
We hope to see you next week!
