News
Demographic data collection project in Phase 2
The Law Society is pleased to share that the focus groups on demographic data collection generated strong interest among legal professionals. We have successfully completed five focus groups with members of the legal community, and two with Benchers and members of senior management, marking the conclusion of Phase 1 of the project.
Phase 2 has now begun. We are currently transcribing the data for analysis, which will inform the development of a draft survey based on the focus group findings. This draft survey will be released on the Law Society website for consultation in September. We welcome input from all members of the legal profession, as well as the public at large.
See our Engagement and Consultation page for more information.
New LawCast BC podcast episode: Helping families navigate divorce and separation
Divorce and separation can be one of life’s most stressful events, especially for families with children. It not only has legal implications, but can impact the physical, mental and financial health of those involved. For this episode of LawCast BC, we invited family lawyer and Bencher Tanya Chamberlain and Dr. Ramneek Dosanjh, both members of the Health Justice Alliance, to speak about the intersection of law and health during separation and how parents can help their children navigate this stressful life change.
Listen here, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Updates to the Indigenous Intercultural Course
Updates to the Indigenous Intercultural Course (IIC) have recently been made. An external consultant was retained to undertake a complete review of the course, including considering feedback that had been provided by members of the profession up to and including January 2025.
From the outset, the Law Society has indicated that the IIC is not intended to be comprehensive or definitive, and periodic changes will be made to content. Feedback and suggestions are welcomed, and taken seriously, and may require time to review background information, other resources and consultation before determining next steps. We continue to welcome feedback and questions or comments can be sent to Indigenous@lsbc.org.
Learn more about the course.
LifeSpeak’s resources on workplace incivility and social connections
The Law Society provides lawyers with access to LifeSpeak, a digital wellness platform that offers anonymous access to a range of mental health resources and content. This month, LifeSpeak has curated resources on workplace incivility and social connections.
Learn more on LifeSpeak’s website.
Celebrating Pride season in Greater Vancouver
The beginning of August is Pride season in Greater Vancouver, a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Though Vancouver’s Pride Festival may be over, What’s On Queer BC’s event page features a variety of events happening in the province throughout the month, including film screenings, craft markets, drag shows and more.
See our news story for more resources.
Pulling Together Canoe Journey 2025
The Pulling Together Canoe Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing understanding between public service agencies and Indigenous Peoples by canoeing the traditional highways of rivers, lakes and coastal waters. We have been honoured by the opportunity to participate in the canoe journey annually and staff representatives did so this year from July 6-13. The experience was hosted by the WSANEC Nation, including Pauquachin, Tsawout First Nation, Tseycum First Nation and Malahat First Nation. At a recent townhall meeting, staff participants shared reflections from this year’s journey, including meaningful connections made with Indigenous youth and Elders and valuable takeaways on how the legal profession can contribute to advancing reconciliation.
Visit the Pulling Together Canoe Society's website to learn more.
Latest discipline news
To read the latest discipline outcomes, including conduct review summaries and admitted discipline violations, head to our Discipline Outcomes section. You can read summaries of discipline outcomes in our news section.
Read the latest discipline outcomes.
Support and resources
Notice to real estate lawyers: Title insurers report to FINTRAC from October 1, 2025
The Canadian real estate market has been identified as being highly vulnerable to fraud and money laundering. To assist in addressing risks, the federal government has introduced new regulatory requirements for title insurers. Real estate lawyers should be aware of how these changes may affect their practice and their purchaser clients. You may need to make changes to your policies, procedures and retainer letters.
Read the full notice with detailed guidance.
Stay informed on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing updates
Lawyers are encouraged to consult the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) publications regarding money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in addition to reading the Law Society’s publications. Learn about high-risk jurisdictions, jurisdictions under increased monitoring, and terrorist and proliferation financing trends and take appropriate measures when providing legal services.
Staying informed and establishing proactive measures is especially important when providing legal services to high-risk clients and in high-risk sectors such as securities, real estate, private lending and international trade, and creating companies, trusts and complex ownership structures.
Read the practice resource for detailed updates.
Webinar on caveats, certificates of pending litigation and court orders
The Land Title and Survey Authority of BC (LTSA) is hosting a webinar on September 18 tailored for legal professionals, with a focus on those who infrequently prepare land title submissions. Fine tune your understanding of lodging and withdrawing caveats, review common certificates of pending litigation (CPL) filing requirements and learn what examiners look for when reviewing an application to register a caveat or CPL.
Register now.
Opportunities
Lawyer Credentials for LTSA submissions: Pilot coming soon
The LTSA will be enhancing the verification process for legal professionals submitting land title forms and packages and is seeking lawyers to test the new process and provide feedback. The updated verification process will accept the Lawyer Credential currently used to access court materials and online databases.
This pilot project is part of LTSA’s Verified Transaction initiative, which aims to strengthen systems, enhance security and enable digital connections for professionals and property owners involved in real estate transactions. Further information on how to participate in the pilot will be sent to the profession in September.
Law Society seeks expressions of interest for LTSA appointment
The Law Society is seeking expressions of interest from individuals who wish to be considered for nomination by the Law Society as a Director of the LTSA for a three-year term starting April 1, 2026. Those interested in being nominated for appointment consideration by the LTSA are invited to review information about the appointment and submit an application form and supporting resume online, along with an explanation of how they meet the detailed criteria. The deadline for applications is 4:30 pm on Friday, September 26, 2025.
For more information about the appointments process and requirements for each board position, see our Appointments Guidebook
Continuing Legal Education Society of BC appointment
The Law Society is seeking expressions of interest from practising lawyers from Kootenay County who wish to be considered for a three-year term as a Law Society appointee to the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC’s Board of Directors. Further information about this opportunity can be found on our website. Eligible lawyers are encouraged to submit an application and supporting resume online along with an explanation of how they meet the detailed criteria. The deadline for applications is 4:30 pm on Friday, August 22.
For more information about the appointments process and requirements for each board position, see our Appointments Guidebook.
Reminder: Invitation to participate in lawyer well-being survey
A random sample of lawyers in BC were selected to participate in a new research project on lawyer mental health and well-being. If you were selected, you have already received an email and a subsequent reminder inviting you to participate before the deadline of August 11. Participation is completely voluntary and you are absolutely free to decline for any reason. This survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous and confidential.
Learn more.
Survey on improving accessibility in BC’s legal profession
The Law Society is conducting a survey to learn more about the challenges faced by legal professionals with disabilities and how to make the profession more accessible and inclusive. We welcome input from legal professionals who have lived experience with disability, as well as from those who wish to share observations or experiences on behalf of family members, friends or colleagues in the legal profession. The survey was developed in collaboration with a leading accessibility consulting agency, Left Turn Right Turn. Their expert guidance helped refine the survey to ensure a strong focus on inclusive design principles, enhancing its accessibility and respectful approach.
You can take part by completing a 15–20-minute online survey or doing a one-on-one phone interview. Your answers will be anonymous and won’t be linked to your name or member ID. What you share will help inform future policy improvements. The survey will remain open till October 31.
Check out the Engagement and Consultation for more details.
Opportunity: Seeking lawyers with disabilities for board positions
While many Canadian companies champion diversity, people with disabilities — who make up 27 per cent of our nation’s population — hold less than 1 per cent of corporate board seats. The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons (CFPDP) is actively taking steps to increase this representation in a meaningful way with their A Seat at the Table initiative. Legal professionals with disabilities who are interested in joining a corporate board are encouraged to apply.
Learn more on CFPDP’s website.
Supreme Court of BC Review of Chambers Practice: Invitation to provide feedback
The Supreme Court of BC is seeking input from the profession and the public on ways to address challenges faced by counsel and litigants in obtaining hearing dates for chambers applications and in having matters heard in a timely manner. Submissions can be made by email to chambersfeedback@bccourts.ca until September 5.
Learn more on the BC Courts website.
Latest from Lawyers Indemnity Fund
Reminder: The bad cheque scam continues
In this scam, fraudsters pose as new clients seeking legal services that lawyers routinely provide. In reality, they have no genuine need for legal assistance and are not who they claim to be. Their objective is to persuade a lawyer to deposit a fraudulent certified cheque, bank draft, credit union official cheque or money order into a trust account. Once the funds appear to clear, the scammer pressures the lawyer to transfer the money electronically — typically before the financial institution discovers that the instrument is counterfeit or was worthless. A recent ruse of this scam involves transactions related to the purchase and sale of medical equipment. We recommend reviewing the names and ruses fraudsters have attempted to use against BC lawyers. If this scam has been attempted on you, please contact Barbara Buchanan, KC at bbuchanan@lsbc.org or 604.697.5816 and provide the details so that we are made aware of new twists and trends.
Fraudsters strike two BC firms amid summer surge in attacks
LIF has received reports of one funds transfer fraud and one identity fraud in BC so far this summer.
Find out the details in our recent Notice to Lawyers.
What can you do about funds transfer fraud?
Cybercriminals hack into law firms’ networks to intercept communications and trick lawyers into redirecting wire transfers based on emails that appear to come from clients, opposing counsel or other parties related to the matter. Traditional red flags — such as a change in payment instructions, spelling mistakes or reference to a foreign bank — are rarely seen. Today’s sophisticated fraudsters break in and monitor communications, waiting for opportunities. They sometimes get in at the front end by providing the initial payment instructions. Secondary verification of all payment instructions is therefore essential.
Before paying out funds in any matter, verify that the payment instructions your firm received by email are legitimate through direct phone or in-person contact with the instructing party. Use a checklist for every payment instruction to avoid becoming the next victim. If you have fallen victim to a funds transfer fraud, immediately notify your bank and request a claw-back of the funds. Next, contact your cyber insurer and IT department to ensure the fraudster is not lurking in your system, and then report to us. Review our Notice to Lawyers for details of funds transfer frauds and to access additional resources.
