News Release
September 05, 2013

Vancouver – The Law Society is inviting input from the public and legal system stakeholders regarding the future of legal regulation in BC.

The consultations are part of the work of a joint task force that is examining whether various legal service providers, including lawyers, notaries public and paralegals, should be brought under one regulatory umbrella. The task force is also asking whether the Law Society should be that single regulator. Currently, the Law Society regulates lawyers only.

“This is about finding the most effective and efficient way to regulate legal services,” said Bruce LeRose, QC, chair of the Legal Service Provider Task Force. “If a single regulator can best protect the public and improve access to justice, then we need to seriously consider that regulatory model.”

Register in advance for the consultation sessions, which are open to the public and other stakeholders:

Vancouver: September 9, 2013, 4 – 6 pm, Waddington Room, Fairmont Hotel, 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

Victoria: September 16, 2013, 4 – 6 pm, South Pender Island Room, Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street, Victoria

Prince George: September 18, 2013, 4 – 6 pm, Hedrick Room, Coast Inn of the North, 770 Brunswick Street, Prince George

You can also provide your comments online. The interim report of the task force is available on the Law Society’s website.

The members of the task force are past Law Society president Bruce LeRose, QC (Chair); current governors Ken Walker, QC (Vice-Chair) and Satwinder Bains; Godfrey Archbold, president of the Land Title Survey Authority; John Eastwood, president of the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia; Carmen Marolla, vice-president of the British Columbia Paralegal Association; and Kerry Simmons, of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch.

The Law Society of British Columbia regulates the more than 10,000 lawyers in the province, setting and enforcing standards of professional conduct that ensure the public is well-served by a competent, honourable legal profession.

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For further information or to arrange an interview contact:

Ben Hadaway
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
bhadaway@lsbc.org

Robyn Crisanti
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
604.697.5845
rcrisanti@lsbc.org