The conclusion of President Lisa Hamilton, KC’s term on December 31, 2022 will create a vacancy for the position of Bencher in the County of Vancouver (District No. 1). Accordingly, pursuant to Rules 1-20(2), a by-election will be held to fill the vacancy. Voting will take place from Tuesday, November 1 to Monday, November 14, 2022, with the results announced on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
The by-election will be conducted in accordance with the Legal Profession Act, Law Society Rules 1-20 to 1-44, and the Code of Professional Conduct. There is an expectation that candidates will conduct themselves in a courteous and civil manner.
Candidate eligibility and nominations
Law Society Rules 1-22 and 1-23 outline the qualifications required of a candidate for election as a Bencher and the nomination process.
Nominations of candidates for election must be received by the Law Society by 5:00 pm on Monday, October 17, 2022. Please send nomination forms by email to BencherRelations@lsbc.org.
Nomination forms may be downloaded from the Bencher election page or by contacting BencherRelations@lsbc.org.
Each nomination must be signed by two nominators (who are eligible to vote in District No. 1 [Vancouver County] and are members in good standing) and must contain the nominee’s consent to the nomination.
Benchers encourage diversity in candidates seeking office
The Benchers believe that the Law Society's mandate to protect the public interest in the administration of justice is best served by leadership from diverse backgrounds and experience. Diversity that brings the skill and richness of talent reflected in the peoples of British Columbia strengthens our legal community and the community at large. All lawyers who meet the qualifications for Bencher and want to contribute to the governance of the profession are encouraged to stand for election. We particularly encourage Indigenous lawyers, racialized lawyers, LGBTQ2+ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, young lawyers, and those practising predominantly in solicitors' fields to stand for election, as these groups continue to be underrepresented among elected Benchers. Although the Law Society has achieved, and been enriched by, gender parity among its elected Benchers, it continues to encourage women to stand for election as part of its commitment to achieve leadership that is reflective of the talents and strengths of all British Columbians.
Voting
The Law Society will use a third party company, Simply Voting, to provide online voting for the by-election. No paper ballots will be distributed, and the election will be conducted entirely electronically.
An email communication will be sent to all eligible voters on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 which will include voting instructions, a randomly generated password, and a link to the voting site. Voting will be available until 5:00 pm on Monday, November 14, 2022. If you are unable to participate by electronic vote, please contact Avalon Bourne, Manager of Governance & Board Relations, at 604.443.5706 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300) or ABourne@lsbc.org.
Candidates’ biographies and election statements
Candidates’ biographical summaries and election statements will be available on the Bencher election page and on the Simply Voting site after the close of nominations on October 17, 2022 and by the start of voting on November 1, 2022.
Roles and duties of the Benchers
The Benchers are the Law Society’s volunteer board of governors. They govern and administer the affairs of the Law 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 approximately seven or eight hours per week, four or five full days a month, or 200 hours per year. This is made up of preparation for and attendance at Bencher meetings; committee, task force or working group meetings; and sitting on hearing panels.
For more information, see About Us > Benchers and the Bencher Elections page.
Further information
For information on the election of Benchers, see Rules 1-20 through 1-44. If you have questions about the election process, please contact Avalon Bourne, Manager of Governance & Board Relations, at 604.443.5706 (toll-free 1.800.903.5300) or ABourne@lsbc.org.