6.1 Supervision
Direct supervision required
6.1-1 A lawyer has complete professional responsibility for all business entrusted to him or her and must directly supervise staff and assistants to whom the lawyer delegates particular tasks and functions.
Commentary
[1] A lawyer may permit a non-lawyer to act only under the supervision of a lawyer. The extent of supervision will depend on the type of legal matter, including the degree of standardization and repetitiveness of the matter, and the experience of the non-lawyer generally and with regard to the matter in question. The burden rests on the lawyer to educate a non-lawyer concerning the duties that the lawyer assigns to the non-lawyer and then to supervise the manner in which such duties are carried out. A lawyer should review the non-lawyer’s work at sufficiently frequent intervals to enable the lawyer to ensure its proper and timely completion. The number of non-lawyers that a lawyer supervises must be limited to ensure that there is sufficient time available for adequate supervision of each non-lawyer.
[3] If a non-lawyer has received specialized training or education and is competent to do independent work under the general supervision of a lawyer, a lawyer may delegate work to the non-lawyer.
[4] A lawyer in private practice may permit a non-lawyer to perform tasks delegated and supervised by a lawyer, so long as the lawyer maintains a direct relationship with the client. A lawyer in a community legal clinic funded by a provincial legal aid plan may do so, so long as the lawyer maintains direct supervision of the client’s case in accordance with the supervision requirements of the legal aid plan and assumes full professional responsibility for the work.
[5] Subject to the provisions of any statute, rule or court practice in that regard, the question of what the lawyer may delegate to a non-lawyer generally turns on the distinction between any special knowledge of the non-lawyer and the professional and legal judgment of the lawyer, which, in the public interest, must be exercised by the lawyer whenever it is required.
[[1] amended 10/2021]
Definitions
6.1-2 In this section,
“designated paralegal” means an individual permitted under rule 6.1-3.3 to give legal advice and represent clients before a court or tribunal;
“non-lawyer” means an individual who is neither a lawyer nor an articled student;
“paralegal” means a non-lawyer who is a trained professional working under the supervision of a lawyer.
Delegation
6.1-3 A lawyer must not permit a non-lawyer to:
(a) accept new matters on behalf of the lawyer, except that a non-lawyer may receive instructions from established clients if the supervising lawyer approves before any work commences;
(b) give legal advice;
(c) give or accept undertakings or accept trust conditions, except at the direction of and under the supervision of a lawyer responsible for the legal matter, providing that, in any communications, the fact that the person giving or accepting the undertaking or accepting the trust condition is a non-lawyer is disclosed, the capacity of the person is indicated and the lawyer who is responsible for the legal matter is identified;
(d) act finally without reference to the lawyer in matters involving professional legal judgment;
(e) be held out as a lawyer;
(f) appear in court or actively participate in formal legal proceedings on behalf of a client except as set forth above or except in a supporting role to the lawyer appearing in such proceedings;
(g) be named in association with the lawyer in any pleading, written argument or other like document submitted to a court;
(h) be remunerated on a sliding scale related to the earnings of the lawyer or the lawyer’s law firm, unless the non-lawyer is an employee of the lawyer or the law firm;
(i) conduct negotiations with third parties, other than routine negotiations if the client consents and the results of the negotiation are approved by the supervising lawyer before action is taken;
(j) take instructions from clients, unless the supervising lawyer has directed the client to the non-lawyer for that purpose and the instructions are relayed to the lawyer as soon as reasonably possible;
(k) sign correspondence containing a legal opinion;
(l) sign correspondence, unless
(i) it is of a routine administrative nature,
(ii) the non-lawyer has been specifically directed to sign the correspondence by a supervising lawyer,
(iii) the fact the person is a non-lawyer is disclosed, and
(iv) the capacity in which the person signs the correspondence is indicated;
(m) forward to a client or third party any documents, other than routine, standard form documents, except with the lawyer’s knowledge and direction;
(n) perform any of the duties that only lawyers may perform or do things that lawyers themselves may not do; or
(o) issue statements of account.
Commentary
[1] A lawyer is responsible for any undertaking given or accepted and any trust condition accepted by a non-lawyer acting under the lawyer's supervision.
[2] A lawyer should ensure that the non-lawyer is identified as such when communicating orally or in writing with clients, lawyers or public officials or with the public generally, whether within or outside the offices of the law firm of employment.
[3] In real estate transactions using a system for the electronic submission or registration of documents, a lawyer who approves the electronic registration of documents by a non-lawyer is responsible for the content of any document that contains the electronic signature of the non-lawyer.
[[1] amended 10/2021]
6.1-3.1 The limitations imposed by rule 6.1-3 do not apply when a non-lawyer is:
(a) a community advocate funded and designated by the Law Foundation;
(b) a student engaged in a legal advice program or clinical law program run by, associated with or housed by a law school in British Columbia; and
(c) with the approval of the Executive Committee, a person employed by or volunteering with a non-profit organization providing free legal services.
6.1-3.2 A lawyer may employ as a paralegal a person who
(a) possesses adequate knowledge of substantive and procedural law relevant to the work delegated by the supervising lawyer;
(b) possesses the practical and analytic skills necessary to carry out the work delegated by the supervising lawyer; and
(c) carries out his or her work in a competent and ethical manner.
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Commentary
[1] A lawyer must not delegate work to a paralegal, nor may a lawyer hold a person out as a paralegal, unless the lawyer is satisfied that the person has sufficient knowledge, skill, training and experience and is of sufficiently good character to perform the tasks delegated by the lawyer in a competent and ethical manner.
[2] In arriving at this determination, lawyers should be guided by Appendix E.
[3] Lawyers are professionally and legally responsible for all work delegated to paralegals. Lawyers must ensure that the paralegal is adequately trained and supervised to carry out each function the paralegal performs, with due regard to the complexity and importance of the matter.
6.1-3.3 Despite rule 6.1-3, where a designated paralegal has the necessary skill and experience, a lawyer may permit the designated paralegal
(a) to give legal advice;
(b) to represent clients before a court or tribunal, other than a family law arbitration, as permitted by the court or tribunal; or
(c) to represent clients at a family law mediation.
[amended 12/2015]
Commentary
[1] Law Society Rule 2-13 limits the number of designated paralegals performing the enhanced duties of giving legal advice, appearing in court or before a tribunal or appearing at a family law mediation.
[2] Where a designated paralegal performs the services in rule 6.1-3.3, the supervising lawyer must be available by telephone or other electronic means, and any agreement arising from a family law mediation must be subject to final review by the supervising lawyer.
[[1] updated 07/2015; [1] amended, [2] added 12/2015]
Suspended or disbarred lawyers
6.1-4 Without the express approval of the lawyer’s governing body, a lawyer must not retain, occupy office space with, use the services of, partner or associate with or employ in any capacity having to do with the practice of law any person who, in any jurisdiction,
(a) has been disbarred and struck off the Rolls,
(b) is suspended,
(c) has undertaken not to practise,
(d) has been involved in disciplinary action and been permitted to resign and has not been reinstated or readmitted,
(e) has failed to complete a Bar admission program for reasons relating to lack of good character and repute or fitness to be a member of the Bar,
(f) has been the subject of a hearing ordered, whether commenced or not, with respect to an application for enrolment as an articled student, call and admission, or reinstatement, unless the person was subsequently enrolled, called and admitted or reinstated in the same jurisdiction, or
(g) was required to withdraw or was expelled from a Bar admission program.
[amended 04/2013]
Electronic registration of documents
6.1-5 A lawyer who has personalized encrypted electronic access to any system for the electronic submission or registration of documents must not
(a) permit others, including a non-lawyer employee, to use such access; or
(b) disclose his or her password or access phrase or number to others.
6.1-6 When a non-lawyer employed by a lawyer has a personalized encrypted electronic access to any system for the electronic submission or registration of documents, the lawyer must ensure that the non-lawyer does not
(a) permit others to use such access; or
(b) disclose his or her password or access phrase or number to others.
Commentary
[1] The implementation of systems for the electronic registration of documents imposes special responsibilities on lawyers and others using the system. The integrity and security of the system is achieved, in part, by its maintaining a record of those using the system for any transactions. Statements professing compliance with law without registration of supporting documents may be made only by lawyers in good standing. It is, therefore, important that lawyers should maintain and ensure the security and the exclusively personal use of the personalized access code, diskettes, etc., used to access the system and the personalized access pass phrase or number.
[2] In a real estate practice, when it is permissible for a lawyer to delegate responsibilities to a non-lawyer who has such access, the lawyer should ensure that the non-lawyer maintains and understands the importance of maintaining the security of the system.
Real estate assistants
6.1-7 In rules 6.1-7 to 6.1-9,
“purchaser” includes a lessee or person otherwise acquiring an interest in a property;
“sale” includes lease and any other form of acquisition or disposition;
“show”, in relation to marketing real property for sale, includes:
(a) attending at the property for the purpose of exhibiting it to members of the public;
(b) providing information about the property, other than preprinted information prepared or approved by the lawyer; and
(c) conducting an open house at the property.
6.1-8 A lawyer may employ an assistant in the marketing of real property for sale in accordance with this chapter, provided:
(a) the assistant is employed in the office of the lawyer; and
(b) the lawyer personally shows the property.
6.1-9 A real estate marketing assistant may:
(a) arrange for maintenance and repairs of any property in the lawyer’s care and control;
(b) place or remove signs relating to the sale of a property;
(c) attend at a property without showing it, in order to unlock it and let members of the public, real estate licensees or other lawyers enter; and
(d) provide members of the public with preprinted information about the property prepared or approved by the lawyer.
6.2 Students
Recruitment and engagement procedures
6.2-1 A lawyer must observe any procedures of the Society about the recruitment and engagement of articled or other students.
Duties of principal
6.2-2 A lawyer acting as a principal to a student must provide the student with meaningful training and exposure to and involvement in work that will provide the student with knowledge and experience of the practical aspects of the law, together with an appreciation of the traditions and ethics of the profession.
Commentary
[1] A principal or supervising lawyer is responsible for the actions of students acting under the principal or supervising lawyer's direction.
[[1] amended 10/2021]
Duties of articled student
6.2-3 An articled student must act in good faith in fulfilling and discharging all the commitments and obligations arising from the articling experience.
6.3 Harassment and discrimination
Discrimination
6.3-1 A lawyer must not, directly or indirectly, discriminate against a colleague, employee, client or any other person.
[rule rescinded and replaced 07/2023]
Commentary
[1] Lawyers are expected to respect the dignity and worth of all persons. A lawyer has a special responsibility to respect and uphold the principles and requirements of human rights and workplace health and safety laws, and to stay apprised of developments in the law pertaining to discrimination and harassment, applicable to them.
The principles of human rights, workplace health and safety laws, and related case law apply to the interpretation of this Code rule and to Code rules 6.3-2 to 6.3-4. What constitutes discrimination, harassment, and protected grounds continues to evolve over time and may vary by jurisdiction.
[2] A lawyer engaging in discriminatory or harassing behaviour undermines confidence in the legal profession and our legal system. A lawyer should foster a professional environment that is respectful, accessible, and inclusive, and should strive to recognize their own biases and take particular care to avoid engaging in practices that would reinforce those biases, when offering services to the public and when organizing their workplace.
[3] As a result of the history of the colonization of Indigenous peoples in Canada, including ongoing repercussions of the colonial legacy, systemic factors, and biases, Indigenous peoples experience unique challenges in relation to discrimination and harassment. Lawyers should guard against engaging in, allowing, or being willfully blind to actions that constitute discrimination or any form of harassment against Indigenous peoples.
[4] Lawyers should be aware that discrimination includes adverse effects and systemic discrimination, that can arise from organizational policies, practices and cultures that create, perpetuate, or unintentionally result in unequal treatment of a person or persons. Lawyers should consider the distinct needs and circumstances of their colleagues, employees, and clients, and should be alert to biases that may inform these relationships and that serve to perpetuate systemic discrimination and harassment. Lawyers should guard against any express or implicit assumption that another person’s views, skills, capabilities, and contributions are necessarily shaped or constrained by their gender, race, Indigeneity, disability or other personal characteristic.
[5] Discrimination can be defined as the distinction, intentional or not, based on grounds related to actual or perceived personal characteristics of an individual or group, that has the effect of imposing burdens, obligations or disadvantages on the individual or group that are not imposed on others, or which withhold or limit access to opportunities, benefits and advantages that are available to other members of society. Harassment may constitute or be linked to discrimination. Distinctions based on personal characteristics attributed to an individual solely on the basis of association with a group will typically constitute discrimination. Human rights laws recognize some actions based on grounds related to actual or perceived personal characteristics of an individual or group are not discriminatory, including for example, establishing or providing programs, services or activities that have the object of ameliorating conditions of those individuals or groups. It is important to recognize that people are multi-faceted, and the intersection of overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination they may experience.
[6] Discrimination can arise in many different circumstances. The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of circumstances that are likely to constitute discrimination. The examples are not exhaustive.
(a) refusing to employ or to continue to employ any person on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
(b) refusing to provide legal services to any person on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
(c) charging higher fees on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
(d) assigning lesser work or paying an employee or staff member less on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
(e) using derogatory racial, gendered, or religious language to describe a person or group of persons;
(f) failing to provide reasonable accommodation to the point of undue hardship;
(g) applying policies regarding leave that are facially neutral (i.e. that apply to all employees equally), but which have the effect of penalizing individuals who take parental leave, in terms of seniority, promotion or partnership;
(h) providing training or mentoring opportunities in a manner that has the effect of excluding any person from such opportunities on the basis of any personal characteristic protected by applicable law;
(i) providing unequal opportunity for advancement by evaluating employees on facially neutral criteria that fail to take into account differential needs and needs requiring accommodation;
(j) comments, jokes or innuendos that cause humiliation, embarrassment or offence, or that by their nature, and in their context, are clearly embarrassing, humiliating or offensive; or
(k) instances when any of the above behaviour is directed toward someone because of their association with a group or individual with certain personal characteristics.
[7] Lawyers are expected to not condone or be willfully blind to conduct in their workplaces that constitutes discrimination.
[8] Lawyers are reminded that dishonourable or questionable conduct on the part of a lawyer in either private life or professional practice will reflect adversely upon the integrity of the profession and the administration of justice. Whether within or outside the professional sphere, if the conduct is such that knowledge of it would be likely to impair a client’s trust in the lawyer, the Society may be justified in taking disciplinary action. Generally, however, the Society will not be concerned with the purely private or extra-professional activities of a lawyer that do not bring into question the lawyer’s professional integrity (see Code rule 2.2-1 commentaries [3] and [4]).
[[1] to [8] added 07/2023]
Harassment
6.3-2 A lawyer must not harass a colleague, employee, client or any other person.
[rule rescinded and replaced 07/2023]
Commentary
[1] Harassment can be defined as an incident or a series of incidents involving physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct (including electronic communications) that might reasonably be expected to cause humiliation, offence or intimidation to the person who is subjected to the conduct. The intent of the lawyer engaging in the conduct is not determinative. Harassment may constitute or be linked to discrimination.
[2] Harassment can arise in many different circumstances. The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of circumstances that are likely to constitute harassment. The examples are not exhaustive.
(a) objectionable or offensive behaviour that is known or ought reasonably to be known to be unwelcome, including comments and displays that demean, belittle, intimidate or cause humiliation or embarrassment;
(b) behaviour that is degrading, threatening or abusive, whether physically, mentally or emotionally;
(c) bullying;
(d) verbal abuse;
(e) abuse of authority where a lawyer uses the power inherent in their position to endanger, undermine, intimidate, or threaten a person, or otherwise interfere with another person’s career;
(f) comments, jokes or innuendos that are known or ought reasonably to be known to cause humiliation, embarrassment or offence, or that by their nature, and in their context, are clearly embarrassing, humiliating or offensive; or
(g) assigning work inequitably.
[3] Bullying, including cyberbullying, is a form of harassment. It may involve physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct. It is characterized by conduct that might reasonably be expected to harm or damage the physical or psychological integrity of another person, their reputation or their property. Bullying can arise in many different circumstances. The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of circumstances that are likely to constitute bullying. The examples are not exhaustive.
(a) unfair or excessive criticism;
(b) ridicule;
(c) humiliation;
(d) exclusion or isolation;
(e) constantly changing or setting unrealistic work targets; or
(f) threats or intimidation.
[4] Lawyers are expected to not condone or be willfully blind to conduct in their workplaces that constitutes harassment.
[5] Lawyers are reminded that dishonourable or questionable conduct on the part of a lawyer in either private life or professional practice will reflect adversely upon the integrity of the profession and the administration of justice. Whether within or outside the professional sphere, if the conduct is such that knowledge of it would be likely to impair a client’s trust in the lawyer, the Society may be justified in taking disciplinary action. Generally, however, the Society will not be concerned with the purely private or extra-professional activities of a lawyer that do not bring into question the lawyer’s professional integrity (see Code rule 2.2-1 commentaries [3] and [4]).
[[1] to [5] added 07/2023]
Sexual harassment
6.3-3 A lawyer must not sexually harass a colleague, employee, client or any other person.
[rule rescinded and replaced 07/2023]
Commentary
[1] Sexual harassment can be defined as an incident or series of incidents involving unsolicited or unwelcome sexual advances or requests, or other unwelcome physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct (including electronic communications) of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can be directed at others based on their gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. The intent of the lawyer engaging in the conduct is not determinative. Sexual harassment may occur:
(a) when such conduct might reasonably be expected to cause insecurity, discomfort, offence, or humiliation to the person who is subjected to the conduct;
(b) when submission to such conduct is implicitly or explicitly made a condition for the provision of professional services;
(c) when submission to such conduct is implicitly or explicitly made a condition of employment;
(d) when submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for any employment decision, including;
(i) loss of opportunity;
(ii) the allocation of work;
(iii) promotion or demotion;
(iv) remuneration or loss of remuneration;
(v) job security; or
(vi) benefits affecting the employee;
(e) when such conduct has the purpose or the effect of interfering with a person's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment;
(f) when a position of power is used to import sexual requirements into the workplace and negatively alter the working conditions of employees or colleagues; or
(g) when a sexual solicitation or advance is made by a lawyer who is in a position to confer any benefit on, or deny any benefit to, the recipient of the solicitation or advance, if the lawyer making the solicitation or advance knows or ought reasonably to know that it is unwelcome.
[2] Sexual harassment can arise in many different circumstances. The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of circumstances that are likely to constitute sexual harassment. The examples are not exhaustive.
(a) displaying sexualized or other demeaning or derogatory images;
(b) sexually suggestive or intimidating comments, gestures or threats;
(c) comments, jokes that cause humiliation, embarrassment or offence, or which by their nature, and in their context, are clearly embarrassing, humiliating or offensive;
(d) innuendoes, leering or comments about a person’s dress or appearance;
(e) gender-based insults or sexist remarks;
(f) communications with sexual overtones;
(g) inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life;
(h) sexual flirtations, advances, propositions, invitations or requests;
(i) unsolicited or unwelcome physical contact or touching;
(j) sexual violence; or
(k) unwanted contact or attention, including after the end of a consensual relationship.
[3] Lawyers are expected to not condone or be willfully blind to conduct in their workplaces that constitutes sexual harassment.
[4] Lawyers are reminded that dishonourable or questionable conduct on the part of a lawyer in either private life or professional practice will reflect adversely upon the integrity of the profession and the administration of justice. Whether within or outside the professional sphere, if the conduct is such that knowledge of it would be likely to impair a client’s trust in the lawyer, the Society may be justified in taking disciplinary action. Generally, however, the Society will not be concerned with the purely private or extra-professional activities of a lawyer that do not bring into question the lawyer’s professional integrity (see Code rule 2.2-1 commentaries [3] and [4]).
[[1] to [4] added 07/2023]
Reprisal
6.3-4 A lawyer must not engage or participate in reprisals against a colleague, employee, client or any other person because that person has:
(a) inquired about their rights or the rights of others;
(b) made or contemplated making a complaint of discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment;
(c) witnessed discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment; or
(d) assisted or contemplated assisting in any investigation or proceeding related to a complaint of discrimination, harassment or sexual harassment.
[rule rescinded and replaced 07/2023]
Commentary
[1] The purpose of this Code rule is to enable people to exercise their rights without fear of reprisal. Conduct that is intended to retaliate against a person, or discourage a person from exploring their rights, can constitute reprisal. Reprisals can arise in many different circumstances. The following examples are intended to provide illustrations of circumstances that are likely to constitute reprisals. The examples are not exhaustive.
(a) refusing to employ or to continue to employ any person;
(b) penalizing any person with respect to that person’s employment or changing, in a punitive way, any term, condition or privilege of that person’s employment;
(c) intimidating, retaliating against or coercing any person;
(d) imposing a pecuniary or any other penalty, loss or disadvantage on any person;
(e) changing a person’s workload in a disadvantageous manner, or withdrawing opportunities from them; or
(f) threatening to do any of the foregoing.
[[1]added 07/2023]
6.3-5 [rescinded 07/2023]
- Legal Profession Act
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- Law Society Rules
- Highlights of Amendments to the Law Society Rules
- Definitions
- Part 1 – Organization
- Part 2 – Membership and Authority to Practise Law
- Part 3 – Protection of the Public
- Part 4 – Discipline
- Part 5 – Tribunal, Hearings and Appeals
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- Schedule 1 – Law Society Fees and Assessments
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- Schedule 3 – Prorated Fees for Non-Practising and Retired Members
- Schedule 4 – Tariff for Hearing and Review Costs
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- Code of Professional Conduct for British Columbia (the BC Code) – annotated
- About the Code of Professional Conduct for BC
- Highlights of Amendments to the BC Code
- Introduction to the BC Code
- Chapter 1 – Interpretation and Definitions – annotated
- Chapter 2 – Standards of the Legal Profession – annotated
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- Chapter 5 – Relationship to the Administration of Justice – annotated
- Chapter 6 – Relationship to Students, Employees, and Others – annotated
- Chapter 7 – Relationship to the Society and Other Lawyers
- Appendix A – Affidavits, Solemn Declarations and Officer Certifications – annotated
- Appendix B – Family Law Mediation, Arbitration and Parenting Coordination
- Appendix C – Real Property Transactions – annotated
- Appendix E – Supervision of Paralegals
- Annotations to Chapter 1 – Interpretation and Definitions
- Annotations to Chapter 2 – Standards of the Legal Profession
- Annotations to Chapter 3 – Relationship to Clients
- Annotations to Chapter 4 – Marketing of Legal Services
- Annotations to Chapter 5 – Relationship to the Administration of Justice
- Annotations to Chapter 6 - Relationship to Students, Employees, and Others
- Annotations to Chapter 7 – Relationship to the Society and Other Lawyers
- Annotations to Appendix A – Affidavits, Solemn Declarations and Officer Certifications
- Annotations to Appendix C – Real Property Transactions
- Member's Manual