The Law Society held its annual general meeting virtually on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. President Christopher McPherson, KC reported on the progress made over the past year to advance the strategic plan and provided updates on the government’s intention to form a single legal regulator. He also addressed the Law Society’s continuing work in Indigenous engagement and reconciliation, promoting mental health in the legal profession, and assessing current trust accounting rules in follow up to the Cullen Commission’s final report and recommendations.
The agenda also included consideration of seven resolutions. Lawyers eligible to vote on the resolutions did so online in advance and at the meeting. The Benchers’ resolution regarding the appointment of Law Society auditors for 2023 was passed, along with the following four member resolutions:
- A resolution to improve the Law Society’s inclusion of persons with physical disabilities and to break down unintentional barriers.
- A resolution to allow the enrolment of articled students with a principal who is subject to a complaint that has yet to be investigated.
- A resolution to recognize the legal work experience of tribunal members in qualifying as a family law arbitrator or parenting coordinator.
- A resolution to create an exemption to the requalification rules for lawyers who take two extended parental leaves within the five-year period.
The member resolution regarding climate change and the member resolution requesting a referendum on opposing the government’s intention to create a single legal regulator were not passed.
Full details of the AGM results are available here.