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The Commonwealth Lawyers Conference in Glasgow, Scotland focused on the Magna Carta and the Rule of Law, but two things in particular were noteworthy. more

Apr 30, 2015

Date set for TWU hearing At a judicial management conference on April 28, a date was set for the hearing of TWU s petition against the Law Society. The hearing before Chief Justice Hinkson will take place in BC Supreme Court commencing August 24 for five days. The Law Society has also filed an Amended Response. more

Apr 17, 2015

Law Society Report on Performance and audited financial statements now available Our annual report describes the achievements under the Law Society s - Strategic Plan, including a review of strategic initiatives. more

Articling offers by downtown Vancouver firms to stay open to August 14 All offers of articling positions made this year by law firms with offices in downtown Vancouver must remain open until 8 am on Friday, August 14, 2015. more

In memoriam: Bencher Benjimen Meisner The Law Society is saddened to learn of the passing of Appointed Bencher Benjimen Meisner. more

Law Society submits brief on Bill C-51 to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security The Law Society supports measures to protect and preserve public safety, and recognizes the challenges that government faces from threats of terrorism worldwide. However, it is concerned that several aspects of Bill C-51 do not appropriately balance efforts to protect public safety with rights and freedoms guaranteed to all Canadians by the Charter. more

Supreme Court decisions regarding TWU’s proposed law school On March 18, the Supreme Court of BC released decisions in two interlocutory proceedings regarding the proposed law school at Trinity Western University. Loke v. British Columbia (Minister of Advanced Education) was dismissed as moot, as the Minister s decision challenged by the petitioner has been changed. As a result, the Law Society s applications, to be added as a party or intervenor in the Loke proceeding and to have TWU v. The Law Society of BC heard at the same time as Loke, were dismissed. more

Revision and consolidation of Law Society Rules At their next meeting on April 10, it is expected that the Benchers will adopt revised and consolidated Law Society Rules, to come into effect July 1, 2015. more

Essay contest invites high school students to consider the relevance of the Magna Carta Consistent with our strategic goal of raising public awareness of the importance of the rule of law and the proper administration of justice, the Law Society is hosting an essay writing contest in honour of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. The essay topic is Magna Carta and its relevance to Canada in the 21st Century . more

SCC decision Today, the Supreme Court of Canada announced its decision in Attorney General of Canada v. Federation of Law Societies of Canada on the applicability of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and its regulations to members of the legal profession. Its decision upheld the decision by the British Columbia Court of Appeal, which ruled that the regulation of the legal profession by Canada s law societies provided an effective and constitutional anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regime. This decision protects the public against government interference in the confidential relationship between a lawyer and a client. more

Law Society files response to TWU petition On January 16, the Law Society filed its response to Trinity Western University s petition seeking a judicial review of the Society s decision not to approve its proposed law school. more