News Release
July 16, 2013

Vancouver – The Law Society has obtained an injunction in BC Supreme Court prohibiting Gail Joan MacDonald from providing legal services in contravention of the Legal Profession Act.

The Law Society sought the injunction after learning that MacDonald, a notary public practising in Mission, had assisted in the probate of an estate and had drafted wills which included trusts and life estates, all for a fee.

In a decision dated July 8, 2013 the court found MacDonald had breached the Act by providing legal services that she was not authorized to provide under the Notaries Act.

The Reasons for Judgment can be found by searching the decisions database.

Under the Legal Profession Act, the Law Society is responsible for licensing lawyers and regulating the legal profession. Notaries public may also provide certain legal services, providing they are in accordance with the Notaries Act.

The Law Society has a searchable database of all unauthorized practitioners it has obtained judgements against since September 2003, with links to related court documents.

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