The Law Society of British Columbia

Feb 13, 2015

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 2013 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

Jan 30, 2015

Ethics Committee consults lawyers regarding changes to “institutional lender” in BC Code – At their December 5, 2014 meeting, the Benchers passed changes to Appendix C of the BC Code to restrict the kinds of institutional lenders that lawyers can represent jointly with mortgagors to banks, trust companies or credit unions. Since that time, a number of lawyers have raised concerns about the effect of these changes and on January 30, 2015 the Benchers rescinded the changes to allow the Ethics Committee to have further consultation with the profession. more

Jan 16, 2015

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

Jan 6, 2015

Meet Law Society President Ken Walker, QC – Walker will serve as Law Society President for 2015. more

Dec 18, 2014

Trinity Western University files petition for judicial review – On December 18, 2014 Trinity Western University commenced proceedings seeking a judicial review of the Law Society's decision not to approve its proposed law school. The Law Society will be defending its decision and will respond to the petition within the time provided under the rules of court. more

Nov 7, 2014

Rule changes: cloud computing – The Benchers have adopted rule changes that address electronic data storage and processing, production of records and third-party storage providers and security. more

Nov 7, 2014

Webcasting and online voting for general meetings – The Benchers have accepted the Governance Committee's recommendation that the Law Society Rules be updated to allow for greater and easier participation by members in general meetings. more

Oct 31, 2014

Bencher meeting decision – Law school not approved for Law Society’s admission program – In a meeting on October 31, the Benchers have 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. more

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