Lynal Doerksen’s appointment to the Bench, effective January 30, 2017, creates a vacancy for the position of Bencher in the County of Kootenay (District No. 5). Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 1-38(1), a by-election will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. The term of the Bencher elected will begin immediately on election and will end on December 31, 2017.
Nominations
To be valid, nominations of candidates for election must be received by the Law Society by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2017. Each nomination must be signed by two nominators (who are members in good standing and eligible to vote in District No. 5) and must contain the nominee’s consent to the nomination.
Nomination forms may be obtained by downloading from the home page of the Law Society website at lawsociety.bc.ca (see link under Highlights) or by contacting Laura Groom, Executive Support Administrator, at 604.697.5823 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300) or lgroom@lsbc.org.
Electronic election
Voting in this year’s by-election will be done electronically through our secure online voting platform. Information on accessing the online voting platform to vote electronically will be emailed to each eligible member of the Law Society by March 1, 2017. If you are unable to participate by electronic vote, please contact Renee Collins, Manager of Executive Support, at 604.443.5706 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300).
Law Society Rules
For information on the election of Benchers, see Rules 1-20 through 1-44. The Law Society Rules are available in the Member’s Manual and in the Publications section of the Law Society website. If you have questions about the election process, please contact Renee Collins, Manager of Executive Support, at 604.443.5706 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300) or rcollins@lsbc.org.
Rules 1-22 and 1-23 outline the qualifications required of a candidate for election as a Bencher and the nomination process. Rule 1-21(1) describes the Bencher electoral districts into which the province is divided. Rule 1-38 outlines the process for a by-election to fill other vacancies. Rule 1-27.1 authorizes the conduct of a Bencher election either partly or wholly by electronic means.
Role and duties of the Benchers
The Benchers are the Law Society’s governors. They govern and administer the affairs of the Society in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, set and enforce standards of professional responsibility for lawyers, and preside at discipline and credentials hearings. Benchers can expect their duties to consume four or five full days a month. For more information on the role and duties of the Benchers, see Bencher’s Oath and Duties on the Law Society website under About Us > Governance > Benchers.
Election information package
Following the close of nominations on February 15 and by March 1, 2017, information on accessing the online voting platform to vote electronically will be emailed to each eligible member of the Law Society. The online voting platform will also contain candidate photographs (if provided) and links to full profile information.
Candidates’ biographies and election statements on Law Society website
Candidates’ biographical summaries and election statements will be posted on the online voting platform and on the Law Society website at lawsociety.bc.ca by March 1, 2017. A lawyer who does not have internet access may request a print copy of the biographical information by contacting Laura Groom at 604.697.5823 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300) or lgroom@lsbc.org.
Benchers encourage diversity in candidates seeking office
The Benchers note that Indigenous lawyers, solicitors, visible minority lawyers, women lawyers, LGBTQ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities and young lawyers continue to be under-represented among elected Benchers. All lawyers who meet the qualifications for Bencher and want to contribute to the governance of the profession are encouraged to stand for election, but Indigenous lawyers, visible minority lawyers, women lawyers, LGBTQ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, young lawyers and those practising predominantly in solicitors’ fields are particularly encouraged to do so. The Benchers believe that the Law Society’s mandate to protect the public interest in the administration of justice will be best served by leadership from diverse backgrounds and experience.