E-Brief: March 2016
Update: Response to the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Benchers have agreed that addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's findings and recommendations is one of the most important and critical obligations facing the country and the legal system today. The Law Society continues to work on developing a long-term action plan in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and has approached key leaders in the Indigenous community to provide guidance on how best to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action. Meetings are expected to begin in early April.
Benchers approve recommendations from the Lawyer Education Advisory Committee
At their March 4 meeting, the Benchers approved 22 recommendations of the Lawyer Education Advisory Committee. The committee's final report and recommendations can be accessed here.
Survey of lawyers who supervise designated paralegals
The Law Society is asking lawyers who supervise designated paralegals to participate in a short, anonymous survey to help determine how the program is working and what improvements can be made to the program. Lawyers are encouraged to discuss the questions with their designated paralegal. If you have any questions, please contact Doug Munro at dmunro@lsbc.org. The survey is available online and will be open until March 31.
Deadline for submissions for the Law Society scholarships extended to March 31
Applicants for the Law Society Scholarship for Graduate Legal Studies and the Aboriginal Scholarship have until March 31 to submit their applications. The two $12,000 scholarships are offered on an annual basis by the Law Society. For further information on how to apply and eligibility requirements, please visit the website.
Amendments to Part 5 of the Law Society Rules
The Benchers have approved procedural changes to the Law Society Rules covering hearings and reviews, including that the chair of a hearing panel or a review board may be a lawyer who is not currently a Bencher. To read the amended rules, please visit the Law Society's website.
2015 Law Society audited financial statements and reports
The Benchers approved the Law Society's 2015 audited financial statements at their March 4 meeting. The audited financial statements will be made available on our website in early April (Publications > Reports and Surveys).
From the courts
Chief Justice Hinkson has issued a notice to provide guidance to counsel and parties who intend to bring an application to the Supreme Court of BC for an exemption from the Criminal Code prohibition against physician assisted death in response to the direction from the Supreme Court of Canada in Carter v. Canada (Attorney General), 2016 SCC 4. The notice can be accessed here.
The Supreme Court of BC has issued amendments to the Supreme Court Civil and Family Rules effective July 1, 2016:
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