When an articled student wishes to change principals for the articling term, the student must apply to the Law Society for permission to assign his or her articles: see Law Society Rule 2-39.

To apply for permission to assign your articles to another principal, you must file the following forms with the Law Society within seven days after commencing employment at the office of the new principal:

• Assignment of Articles Agreement (PDF l Word);
  
  
• Declaration of Previous Principal (PDF l Word);
  
  
• Articling Skills and Practice Checklist (PDF l Word);
  
  
• Statements from you and your previous principal briefly setting out the reasons for the assignment.

If you fail to apply for an assignment of articles within the seven-day deadline, the period of time between the date you left the office of the previous principal and the date you filed the assignment of articles documents is not included in the calculation of your nine-month articling term, unless the Credentials Committee directs otherwise: see Law Society Rule 2-39(2). If you have missed the seven-day deadline, include a submission to the Committee setting out reasons for the lateness of your application.

If you have any questions on the assignment of articles, please contact:

Member Services
Law Society of British Columbia
8th Floor, 845 Cambie Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 4Z9
Tel.: 604 605-5311
Toll-free in BC: 1-800-903-5300
Fax: 604 687-0135
Email: memberinfo@lsbc.org