The LSBC Tribunal is an independent decision-making body. It manages, considers and decides disciplinary cases involving legal professionals and contentious licensing applications of people seeking to practise law in British Columbia.
Go to the LSBC Tribunal website
Discipline hearings
Discipline hearings are similar to court hearings. The allegations against the lawyer are set out in a public document called a citation. The decision to authorize a citation and hold a hearing before the LSBC Tribunal is made by the Discipline Committee. Hearings comprise two phases: (1) facts and determination, and (2) disciplinary action.
Both the Discipline Committee and the lawyer who is the subject of a hearing have the right to apply for a review of a hearing panel's decision. The lawyer also has the right to appeal the determination, the disciplinary action, or both, to the BC Court of Appeal.
Licensing hearings
Licensing hearings are ordered when the Credentials Committee has concerns about an applicant’s character or fitness to practise law in BC. Panels issue written reasons for their decisions. Effective September 2018, licensing decisions do not generally identify the applicant.
Both the Credentials Committee and the applicant have the right to apply for a review of a hearing panel's decision. The applicant also has the right to appeal the decision to the BC Court of Appeal.
Resources
For more information about the discipline and licensing hearings processes, schedules and decisions, see:
- LSBC Tribunal website
- Information and guides on hearings and the Tribunal (LSBC Tribunal website)
- Hearing Schedule (LSBC Tribunal website)
- Hearing Files – information about a current case or past decision (LSBC Tribunal website)
- CanLII website – for decisions from 2003 to the present
The Law Society urges all lawyers who are or may be subject to discipline proceedings to retain counsel. It has compiled a list of lawyers who have agreed to represent lawyers during the investigation and disciplinary processes.