The conclusion of President Jeevyn Dhaliwal, KC’s term on December 31, 2024 will create a vacancy for the position of Bencher in the County of Vancouver (District No. 1). Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 1-20(2), a by-election will be held to fill the vacancy. Online voting will take place from Thursday, November 7 to 4:30 pm on Thursday, November 14, and votes will be counted on Friday, November 15, 2024.
The term of the successful candidate will begin on January 1, 2025 and will end on December 31, 2025.
The by-election will be conducted in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, Law Society Rules 1-20 to 1-44, and the Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia.
Candidate elgibility and nominations
Law Society Rules 1-22 and 1-23 outline the qualifications required of a candidate for election as a Bencher and the nomination process.
Nominations of candidates for election must be received by 4:30 pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. To submit a nomination, please complete the Candidate’s Information form and the Nomination and Consent form, which must be signed by two nominators (who are eligible to vote in District No. 1 [Vancouver County] and who are members in good standing) and must contain the nominee’s consent to the nomination.
Benchers encourage diversity in candidates seeking office
The Benchers believe that the Law Society's mandate to protect the public interest in the administration of justice is best served by leadership with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Diversity that brings the skill and richness of talent reflected in the peoples of British Columbia strengthens our legal community and the community at large. All lawyers who meet the qualifications for Bencher and want to contribute to the governance of the profession are encouraged to stand for election. We particularly encourage women lawyers, Indigenous lawyers, racialized lawyers, 2SLGBTQI+ lawyers, lawyers with (dis)abilities, young lawyers, and those practising predominantly in solicitors' fields to stand for election, as these groups continue to be underrepresented among elected Benchers.
Important information for candidates
Candidates interested in running for the position of Bencher are encouraged to attend an upcoming information session, which will provide an overview of the role and responsibilities of Benchers and the Law Society’s current priorities. Further information about the information session will be posted on the Bencher elections webpage and communicated to the profession in the next E-brief. Please contact elections@lsbc.org if you are interested in attending or if you have any questions.
Voting
In accordance with Rule 1-27 (0.1), Bencher elections are to be held by electronic means, and the Law Society will use a third-party company, Simply Voting, to provide online voting for the 2024 Bencher By-Election.
Please note that, following amendments to the election Rules approved by the Benchers at the July 5, 2024 Bencher meeting, the voting period will be one week in accordance with Rule 1.27 (0.3). Online voting will take place from Thursday, November 7 to 4:30 pm on Thursday, November 14, and votes will be counted on Friday, November 15, 2024.
An email communication will be sent to all eligible voters on Thursday, November 7, 2024, which will include voting instructions, a randomly generated password, and a link to the voting site.
Candidates’ biographies and election statements
Candidates’ biographical summaries and election statements will be available on the Bencher election page of the Law Society website and on the Simply Voting site after the close of nominations on October 15, 2024 and by the start of voting on November 7, 2024.
Roles and duties of the Benchers
The Benchers are the Law Society’s volunteer board of governors. They govern and administer the affairs of the Law Society in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, set and enforce standards of professional responsibility for lawyers, and can preside at discipline and credentials hearings as adjudicators.
Benchers can expect their duties to consume approximately seven or eight hours per week, four or five full days a month, or 200 hours per year. This is made up of preparation for and attendance at Bencher meetings; committee, task force or working group meetings; and sitting on hearing panels.
For information about the roles and duties of Benchers, please see the Bencher Code of Conduct and the Law Society website.
Further information
For information on the election of Benchers, see Rules 1-20 through 1-44.
If you have questions about the election process, please contact Avalon Bourne, Manager of Governance & Board Relations, at 604.443.5706 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300) or ABourne@lsbc.org.
