Intentions Paper on Legal Professions Regulatory Modernization
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Attorney General announced it would be preparing a legislative proposal that would see all legal professionals in BC regulated under a single statute and by a single regulator. The Ministry has now released its intentions paper. The Ministry is seeking input from the public and key partners before a legislative proposal is finalized for government and the Legislature’s consideration. There is an online survey available and written submissions may also be emailed to PLD@gov.bc.ca by November 18, 2022. The Law Society encourages lawyers and others who wish to comment on the paper to provide their views to government. In addition, comments may be submitted directly to the Law Society at slr@lsbc.org. Please note that any comments provided may be subject to disclosure under freedom of information legislation.
Law Society Offices closed on Monday September 19
Further to Premier John Horgan’s statement yesterday, the Law Society will be closed next Monday, September 19, to mark the funeral of the late monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
On the Path to Equity for Women in Law Report
In April 2022 the Law Society of BC and the Canadian Bar Association hosted a roundtable, On the Path to Equity for Women in Law. The summary and background report for this event are available on our website.
Rule of Law Lecture – Judge Kimberly Prost
The Law Society was pleased to host Judge Kimberly Prost as part of its Rule of Law Lecture Series on August 11 at the UBC Robson Square Theatre. Judge Prost was elected a judge of the International Criminal Court in the Hague in 2017 where she currently serves in the trial division. Speaking to an audience of several hundred, Judge Prost explored topics around the rule of law, lawyers, and the role of the International Criminal Court. She also heard from members of the public about various conflicts affecting the lives of their families in their home countries during an extensive Q&A period. A recording of the lecture is available here.
Career opportunity: LIF Claims Counsel
Are you a lawyer with five or more years of recent experience and have commercial litigation experience? Are you interested in working with a dynamic team that plays a crucial role in supporting the legal profession? Then consider applying to work at the Lawyers Indemnity Fund as a Claims Counsel in Commercial Litigation. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and is based at the Lawyers Indemnity Fund office in Vancouver. The successful candidate will work within the team structure at LIF to defend lawyers’ professional liability claims. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit LIF’s careers web page for more information.
Reminder: LSBC Tribunal website is live
In July, the LSBC Tribunal launched its own website at LSBCTribunal.ca. The website provides easy access to information needed by the public and lawyers regarding the Tribunal’s regulatory processes and hearings. Users can search case histories, access a calendar to view upcoming hearings, as well as past hearing decisions. The Law Society’s website continues to provide information about how to raise a concern about a legal professional’s conduct as well as information about regulatory admissions, consent agreements, administrative penalties and the alternative discipline process.
Administrative penalties are implemented
The Law Society recently implemented an administrative penalties process to address certain breaches of the Law Society Rules with an appropriate and proportionate sanction (see Part 4, Division 6 of the Rules). Breaches of the client ID and verification rules, the cash transaction rule and the electronic submission of documents rule are subject to administrative penalties. Summaries of these cases will be published on the website and form part of a lawyer’s professional conduct record. Refer to the website for information on administrative penalties.
2022 Bencher by-election in the County of Vancouver
A by-election will take place in the County of Vancouver (District No. 1) on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 to elect a Bencher for a one-year term to replace 2022 President Lisa Hamilton, KC. The call for nominations will open on Thursday, September 15, 2022 and will close at 5:00 pm on Monday, October 17. Further details regarding the by-election, including timelines, eligibility, and the nomination process, can be found on the Law Society’s website.
Health Justice Alliance
On September 24, the Law Society and the Doctors of BC will meet to discuss ways they can collaborate to combat trauma experienced by children in families going through separation or divorce. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events in children's lives that negatively impact their health, which debilitates their growth and development. The Health Justice Alliance has brought its concerns to the provincial government, and looks forward to finding more solutions as discussions continue.
Reminder: Advice Decision-Making Assistant available
Earlier this year the Law Society launched a new online tool called Advice Decision-Making Assistant (ADMA). The tool is available 24/7 to lawyers seeking assistance with ethics and practice management questions. ADMA was developed in-house and designed to be user-friendly, intuitive and available whenever you need it.
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Send your comments or questions to communications@lsbc.org.
