News Release
October 04, 2019

In the face of discipline proceedings, former Victoria lawyer James Edward Turner has admitted to professional misconduct and has undertaken not to apply for readmission to the Law Society prior to September 30, 2029.

In the course of working for more than a dozen clients in immigration-related matters, Turner made misrepresentations to his clients including, that he had submitted an application when he had not, that he was unaware of the status of an application when knew that it had been refused or returned, and that a client had status in Canada when the client did not.

In accepting Turner’s admissions and undertakings, the Discipline Committee considered that Turner self-reported and cooperated fully with the investigation; his professional conduct record, which includes a prior citation for similar misconduct; and Turner’s explanation, supported by a medical assessment, that at the time of his misconduct Turner was suffering from personal and mental health issues.

Turner voluntarily withdrew membership in the Law Society effective December 31, 2018, and has agreed not to apply for readmission prior to September 30, 2029. A summary of Turner’s admission to 31 allegations of misconduct, and of his undertakings not to practice law in BC or apply for readmission to the Law Society for ten years can be found on the Law Society website.

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For further information contact:

David Jordan
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
djordan@lsbc.org