Trinity Western University: proposed law school
Updated: December 12, 2014
Latest news |
Ministry statementOn 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 programOn 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 lawIn 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.
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Background |
September 26 Benchers meetingOn 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 meetingA legal opinion addressing certain issues arising from the special general meeting was discussed at the meeting. See the opinion here. June 10 Special general meetingMembers 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 meetingA transcript of the Bencher discussion and decision is available here. |
Submissions received by the law society
TWU submission to the Law Society with supporting affidavits, October 30, 2014
TWU submission to the Law Society, September 16, 2014
Public submissions – since March 4
Legal opinions
Legal opinions only – new opinion added July 15
Legal opinions and other material – new opinion added July 15
Memo to Benchers: Follow-up to enquiries from the February 28, 2014 Benchers meeting, March 31, 2014
Memo to Benchers: Follow-up to enquiries from the February 28, 2014 Benchers meeting, April 2, 2014
other documents
TWU correspondence
TWU submission to the Law Society
Consolidated Trinity Western University Act
Notice of motion
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s preliminary approval
The BC Ministry of Advanced Education: Statement on Trinity Western University's proposed law degree
Notice of Special General Meeting update
Notice of Special General Meeting
Public submissions– prior to March 3
BC Action
Amended Petition – Trevor Loke
Case Plan Proposal
Response to Petition – TWU
Response to Petition – Minister of Education
Judicial reviews
TWU Petition, British Columbia
Notice of Judicial Review, Nova Scotia
Notice of Judicial Review, Ontario