Articling is the most common way to obtain the supervised practice experience needed to become licensed in BC.
Articled students complete an articling term of at least nine-months (unless reduced) working under the supervision of an experienced full-time practising lawyer known as a principal. The articling term provides supervised practice experience and develops professional skills necessary for entry-level competence to practice law.
The Law Society will enrol you as an articled student provided you have:
- met the academic qualification set out in Rule 2-54(2);
- secured articles with a qualified principal; and
- met the good character, fitness and repute requirement.
The Law Society does not place articled students or provide placement advice. However, we note that:
- if you are a student or alumnus of a Canadian law school, you may wish to seek guidance on the articling process from your school’s Career Services Office;
- the Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) offers Student Services that include articling search support for PREP candidates (free) and non-PREP candidates (for a fee); and
- the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association has a job board on its CBA Careers Page that includes postings for student jobs.
Qualifying as a Principal
Rule 2-57 applies here. To be eligible to become a principal, you must be engaged in full-time practice and may act as principal to no more than two students at one time.
To be qualified to act as a principal, a lawyer must:
- have been in full-time practice for the five to eight years immediately preceding the articling start date, with at least three of those years practising in BC or the Yukon; and
- not be prohibited from practising law under Rule 2-89.
In exceptional circumstances, the Credentials Committee may allow a lawyer who does not meet these requirements to act as a principal or to act as a principal to more than two students.
To be suitable to become and remain a principal, the following factors may be considered:
- Prior and current complaints
- Prior and current Credentials Committee proceedings
- Prior and current Disciplinary proceedings
- Prior and current Practice Standards proceedings
- Failures to comply with regulatory requirements
- Failures to comply with your obligations when serving as a principal.
Concerns regarding your suitability will be referred to the Credentials Committee for consideration. After allowing a lawyer to make submission to the Committee, the Committee may approve, approve on conditions or deny the lawyer from acting as a principal.
Have questions?
Our Registration and Licensee Services department can provide more information on the articling process.