Assign or terminate articles

Changing principals by assigning articles

During the articling term, an articled student may apply to assign their articles to another principal: Rule 2-67. This can happen for many different reasons, such as:

The principal changing their place of practice
The principal no longer being able to fulfill their responsibilities
A breakdown in the articling relationship
An agreed change of focus in the articling term that is longer or more permanent than a secondment

Apply to assign articles

To change principals by assigning articles, prepare an application that includes:

Statement from you and your previous principal about the reasons for the assignment
Assignment of Articles Agreement signed by you, your previous principal, and your new principal
Declaration of Previous Principal
Final progress report from your previous principal (Rule 2-77), signed by you both

A principal should not unreasonably refuse to sign assignment documents. If this happens, the Law Society may dispense with or allow incomplete document filing.

Submission deadline

Submit your assignment application to Registration & Licensee Services (registration@lsbc.org) no later than seven (7) days after your start date with the new principal. Late applications will result in the gap period not being included in your articling term: Rule 2-67.

Terminating articles

Where an articled student and principal seek to terminate the articling agreement, they must submit a report to the Credentials & Licensing Department– jointly, or separately - setting out the reasons for the termination.

To discuss conflict or a breakdown in the articling relationship, contact Credentials & Licensing at CredentialsLicensing@lsbc.org.

More information

If you have any questions about assigning or terminating articles, contact the Registration & Licensee Services Department at:

Email: registration@lsbc.org

Phone: 604.605.5311

Toll-free: 1.800.903.5300