Who may apply for reinstatement?

Former members of the Law Society may apply to reinstate their membership. An applicant for reinstatement must have submitted all trust reports and declarations required under the Law Society Rules and paid any assessments relating to late filing of trust reports: see Law Society Rule 2-52(5.1).

What happens on a reinstatement application?

Law Society Rules 2-52 to 2-54 (Link to publications/rules/) set out the framework for an application for reinstatement. All applicants must first satisfy the criteria of good character and repute and fitness pursuant to section 19(1) of the Legal Profession Act.

The Law Society may conduct or authorize any person to conduct an investigation concerning an application for reinstatement.

The Executive Director may reinstate you without conditions on your practice, or may refer your application to the Credentials Committee. The Committee may approve a reinstatement, with or without conditions or limitations on practice, or may order order a hearing into the application.

If the applicant is a former lawyer who was disbarred or ceased membership as a result of discipline proceedings, the Credentials Committee must order a hearing into the application: see Rule 2-52(9)(a).

How do I apply for reinstatement?

To apply for reinstatement, you should submit the following:

• Application for Reinstatement of Membership (PDF | Word); and
• a non-refundable reinstatement fee. The fee is $464.80 ($415 plus HST). For a former lawyer who was disbarred or ceased membership as a result of disciplinary proceedings, the fee is $672 ($600 plus HST).
  Please note effective January 1, 2008 and in accordance with Rule 2-52(1)(b) the reinstatement fee following three years or more as a former member will be $560 ($500 + HST).

Applications should be received at least three weeks prior to your intended date of reinstatement. You are required to answer all questions contained in the application for reinstatement fully and advised to disclose to the Society anything you consider may adversely affect your application. You should provide the fullest details possible, with supporting documentation. Omissions or inaccuracies in your answers will delay your application.

What kind of membership options are available after reinstatement?

In applying for reinstatement, you may apply to be a practising lawyer, a non-practising member or a retired member.

If you wish to return to practice following reinstatement, you will be subject to the Law Society's returning to practice rules. The conditions of returning to practice vary depending on the length of time you have been engaged in the practice of law and the period of time you have been absent from practice. For more information, see Returning to Practice .

If you do not intend to practise law after reinstatement and wish to become a non-practising or retired member, see Non-Practising Membership or Retired Membership.

Once your application for reinstatement has been approved, you must pay either a prorated practising, non-practising or retired member annual fee. If you have applied to be a practising lawyer on reinstatement, you must pay the prorated annual insurance fee or submit an insurance exemption form.

Are there restrictions on practice for a reinstated lawyer who was a judge or master?

A reinstated lawyer who was a judge or a master must restrict his or her practice by not appearing before certain courts for a period of time, or alternatively may have conditions respecting their practice imposed by the Credentials Committee: see Rule 2-54.

How can I obtain more information?

If you have any questions about reinstating your membership, 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