The Law Society of BC applauds Attorney General Wally Oppal, QC, for announcing four amendments to the Legal Profession Act in the Legislature today.
“These amendments will protect the public interest by enhancing the Law Society’s ability to regulate the legal profession,” said society President, Anna Fung, QC.
The amendments are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the government and the Law Society to further enhance public confidence in the justice system.
“The Attorney General has identified, as one of his primary goals, the need to improve public confidence in the justice system. The Law Society shares this goal and we look forward to a continuing our collaboration with the government to achieve the goal,” Ms. Fung added.
The four amendments will make the Law Society’s regulatory programs more effective by allowing the Society to:
be appointed as a custodian of a lawyer’s practice if the lawyer is unable to continue practising;
impose remedial programs on lawyers where necessary and appropriate;
make appeals of discipline decisions more efficient; and
obtain evidence outside BC for its regulatory hearings.
The Law Society of BC was created in 1869. Through the Legal Profession Act, the Society is mandated to uphold and protect the public interest in the administration of justice by setting and enforcing standards for the conduct, competence and discipline of lawyers in BC. The Law Society is an independent organization funded by dues paid by all BC lawyers and does not receive funding from any level of government.
Law Society of BC media contact:
Brad Daisley, Public Affairs Manager
Office: 604 443-5724 or 1-800-903-5300 toll-free in BC
Email: bdaisley@lsbc.org
www.lawsociety.bc.ca