The appointment of Justice Lindsay LeBlanc to the Supreme Court of BC, effective November 29, 2024 has created a vacancy for the position of Bencher in the County of Victoria (District No. 2). Accordingly, pursuant to Rules 1-38(1), a by-election will be held to fill the vacancy. Online voting will take place from Thursday, January 23 to 4:30pm on Wednesday, January 29, and votes will be counted on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The term of the successful candidate will begin immediately upon election 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 eligibility 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 Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 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. 2 [Victoria 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 from diverse backgrounds and experience. 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.
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 2025 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, January 23 to 4:30 pm on Wednesday, January 29 and votes will be counted on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
An email communication will be sent to all eligible voters on Thursday, January 23, 2025, 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 January 15, 2025 and by the start of voting on January 23, 2025.
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.
