Trinity Western University: proposed law school

Updated: December 12, 2014

 

  Latest news

Ministry statement

On December 11, Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk issued a statement outlining his decision to revoke approval for TWU's proposed law school. Read the minister's statement.

Bencher meeting decision – Law school not approved for Law Society’s admission program

On October 31, the Benchers decided not to approve a proposed law school at Trinity Western University for the purpose of the Law Society’s admission program.

This decision comes after careful consideration of the outcome of a referendum of BC lawyers conducted in October, together with the many other factors related to this issue.

Referendum results – BC Lawyers say TWU should not be an approved school of law

In a referendum conducted in October, a total of 5,951 BC lawyers (74%) voted in favour and 2,088 (26%) against a resolution declaring that the proposed law school at Trinity Western University is not an approved faculty of law for the purpose of the Law Society's admission program. Thirteen thousand, five hundred and thirty practising, non-practising and retired lawyers were entitled to vote.

The referendum was conducted by mail-in ballot, and required one-third of BC’s lawyers to participate and two-thirds to vote in favour in order to pass.

For more information on the referendum, read the notice to the profession.

The outcome of the referendum will be discussed at a Bencher meeting on October 31. 

 

  Background

September 26 Benchers meeting

On September 26, the Benchers passed a motion that directs the Law Society to conduct a referendum of BC lawyers regarding the proposed law school at Trinity Western University. The motion will allow for all members of the Society to vote on the resolution adopted at the special general meeting this past June, in which the Benchers were directed to declare that the proposed law school at Trinity Western University is not an approved faculty of law for the purpose of the Law Society’s admission program.

The motion further states that the resolution will be binding and will be implemented by the Benchers if at least one third of all members in good standing of the Society vote in the referendum, and two thirds of those participating vote in favour of the resolution.

Read the notices of motion put forward at the meeting.

The webcast of the meeting is available at http://new.livestream.com/mediaco/lsbc09262014.

July 11 Benchers meeting

A legal opinion addressing certain issues arising from the special general meeting was discussed at the meeting. See the opinion here.

June 10 Special general meeting

Members of the Law Society passed a resolution at a special general meeting directing the Benchers to declare that the proposed law school at Trinity Western University is not an approved faculty of law for the purposes of the Law Society’s admission program. More information, including an audio recording of the Special General Meeting, is available here.

April 11: Benchers meeting

A transcript of the Bencher discussion and decision is available here.
The webcast of the April 11 meeting is available here.
The opinions that were before the Benchers for consideration at their April 11 meeting are available here.
Transcript of President's Lindsay's statement