Law Society news
September Bencher by-elections: Vancouver and Okanagan
Nominations of candidates for the upcoming 2026 Bencher by-elections in the County of Vancouver (District 1) and the District of the Okanagan (District 6) are open and will close at 4:30 pm on Monday, August 17.
In accordance with Rule 1-38 (1), the terms of Benchers elected to these districts will begin immediately upon election and will end on December 31, 2027. Those eligible to submit a nomination must complete the Candidate’s Information application form and the nomination and consent form.
For more information, see Notice to the Profession and the elections webpage.
November Bencher by-election: Westminster
A by-election will take place in the County of Westminster (District 4) in November to elect a Bencher for a one-year term to replace 2026 President Thomas L. Spraggs, KC, in accordance with Rule 1-20 (2). Further information will be provided to the profession regarding the call for nominations and overall timelines in the fall.
One-time practice fee rebate pilot program
In September 2025, Law Society Benchers approved a one-time practice fee rebate pilot program to support lawyers who are experiencing financial hardship. Applications are now available through the Member Portal, with a closing date of September 13. Lawyers who are eligible for a rebate will be notified by email in October 2026 when their rebate has been issued.
Learn more about the program and read the FAQs.
Guidance on Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act
On August 4, 2026, the Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act (FITAA) and its associated regulations came into force. An interpretation bulletin has been released by the federal government to provide guidance for when licensed legal professionals must provide information to the Foreign Influence Transparency Commissioner via a registration form as per the Act.
For more information, view the Federation of Law Societies of Canada’s Notice to the Profession. If you have questions, contact the Law Society's Practice Advice team at practiceadvice@lsbc.org.
2025 Law Society Annual Report now available
The Law Society’s 2025 Annual Report is now available to view on our website. The report reflects on a year of meaningful progress to fulfill our regulatory functions, advance key areas of focus and navigate a period of significant change.
Read the 2025 Annual Report.
Reminder that lawyers can claim CPD for teaching a course
Practising lawyers in BC, both full-time and part-time, must complete 12 hours of accredited CPD within each calendar year. Lawyers may claim up to three hours of credit for each hour spent teaching a course depending on the nature of the course and the audience.
Learn more on our website and view the full list of eligible CPD activities.
Updates to Lawyer Well-Being Hub
In 2023, the Law Society introduced LifeSpeak to the Lawyer Well-Being Hub in response to recommendations from the Mental Health Task Force, providing anonymous access to digital wellness resources. Due to upcoming platform changes that impact anonymous access, the platform will not be available after August 31, 2026. Legal professionals can continue to access a variety of other mental health and well-being supports, including the Lawyers Assistance Program and TELUS Health.
Read our news story to learn more.
Managing anxiety as a legal professional
Anxiety is a common experience among legal professionals, shaped by the high demands and responsibilities of the profession. Managing complex client matters, meeting deadlines and making decisions with significant consequences can create ongoing stress and uncertainty.
Learn more about anxiety symptoms and how to navigate them on our website.
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.
News from the legal profession
Seeking expressions of interest: Director, BC Land Titles Survey Authority
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 Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) for a three-year term starting April 1, 2027. Persons 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.
For more information about the appointments process and requirements for each board position, see our Appointments Guidebook. The deadline for applications is 4:30 pm, Friday, September 25, 2026.
Retention limits for registered Web Filing packages coming this fall
Beginning this fall, LTSA will introduce retention limits for registered land title packages in Web Filing. Registered Web Filing packages will be retained for 90 days after registration. Unsubmitted packages will not be impacted.
Learn more on LTSA’s website.
Upcoming webinar on Indigenous representation in the legal profession
On September 16 from 10–11:30 am PT, the Canadian Council of Administrative Tribunals (CCAT) is hosting a webinar on Indigenous representation and participation in the legal profession. During the webinar, four Indigenous lawyers will discuss their work and share their lived experience navigating barriers in the legal system.
Visit the CCAT website to learn more and register.
Latest from Lawyers Indemnity Fund
Real estate identity fraud: The risk is growing — be on high alert
A Surrey lawyer recently contacted LIF about an extremely sophisticated real estate identity fraud in which the lawyer acted for a corporate borrower (who was actually a fraudster) seeking to obtain a $950,000 loan from a private lender, secured by a mortgage to be registered against a newly-constructed duplex property in Surrey.
To learn more, review our July 2026 Notice to Lawyers and LTSA’s recent Notice.
Procedural changes coming soon for applications in BC Supreme Court
Effective October 1, 2026, the procedure for bringing applications under the Supreme Court Civil Rules and the Supreme Court Family Rules will change. Chambers applications will require a new “serve and file” process, replacing the current “file and serve” procedure. Under the new procedure, parties must exchange their application materials before setting a hearing date and before filing those materials with the court.
Additional amendments include extended timelines, revised hearing scheduling requirements and updated court forms. For more information, see OIC No. 264/2026.
