Benchers discuss proposed practice fee rebate pilot program
At the July 4 meeting, Benchers discussed the potential deployment of a one-year pilot project for a practice fee rebate program that would be administered in early-mid 2026 and based on total income eligibility criteria. During the potential pilot, data would be collected to inform the purpose, viability and design of a future program, following which, recommendations would be made in regard to whether a permanent fee relief program should be established. Benchers are currently considering the project and will vote on whether to proceed with it at the September 19 meeting.
Cross-jurisdictional articling survey report now available
In 2024, the Law Societies of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society surveyed articling students and new lawyers, as well as principals, mentors and recruiters. Each province received a report on their findings, and the BC report is available on our website.
An analysis of the data across the jurisdictions has now been completed to produce a cross-jurisdictional report, which offers valuable insights and identifies shared themes. The ongoing work related to the Western Canada Competency Profile (WCCP) reinforces the Benchers' decision to define entry-level competence and evaluate the current admission program. It is expected that further information and recommendations flowing from the work related to the WCCP will be brought to the Benchers for consideration in the fall.
Congratulations to Karen Snowshoe, KC, 2025 Law Society Award recipient
Congratulations to Karen Snowshoe, KC, who is the recipient of the 2025 Law Society Award. She is a trusted lawyer, mediator, adjudicator, educator and a leader in providing trauma-informed and culturally-informed dispute resolution processes. Karen was born in Vancouver and is a survivor of the 60s scoop. She was raised as a proud member of the Tetlit-Gwich’in community of Tetlit-Zheh in Fort McPherson, NT.
Karen served as a Bencher from 2018 to 2022, and her contributions led to the creation of the Indigenous Engagement in Regulatory Matters Task Force, whose historic report and recommendations have resulted in systemic changes within the Law Society and the profession. Her mentorship of other Indigenous legal professionals, especially encouraging them to run in the 2021 Bencher election, significantly increased Indigenous representation at the Bencher table. Karen was presented with the Law Society Award at the Bench and Bar Dinner on June 11.
Congratulations to the secondary school essay contest winners
The Law Society congratulates essay contest winner Liam Skeoch from J.L. Crowe Secondary in Trail, BC and runner-up Cindy Chen from St. Michaels University School in Victoria, BC for their exceptional essays on the rule of law. Participants in this year’s contest were asked to write an essay on how the rule of law can be affected, positivity or adversely, through the actions of politicians and political parties.
CEO/Executive Director Gigi Chen-Kuo recognized in Business in Vancouver’s BC500
We are pleased to announce that Law Society of BC CEO/Executive Director Gigi Chen-Kuo has been recognized as one of BC’s most influential business leaders in Business in Vancouver’s BC500 list. The publication recognizes leaders who have significantly impacted the province's communities, industries and overall economy. Each leader featured has demonstrated remarkable professional contributions and shown a strong commitment to community involvement and non-profit work. Join us in congratulating Gigi on this well-deserved recognition!
Read the announcement.
New OIC form submission and payment process through Member Portal
BC lawyers seeking to be placed on file with BC Authentication Program (for Apostille certificates) must first submit the required form to the Law Society for authentication. To expedite the process, practising lawyers can now upload a scanned copy of the form and submit payment by credit card through the Member Portal before mailing the original copy to the Law Society office. Status updates will be sent to applicants via email.
Update to Court of Appeal’s Consolidated Practice Direction
On June 26, the Federal Court of Appeal released an update to its Consolidated Practice Direction, including added paragraphs on proof of service, accessibility and citations.
Assess your firm’s money laundering risks and take action
Lawyers are encouraged to assess your practice for inherent risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and to adopt risk mitigation measures. 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. High-risk clients include politically exposed persons, cash-intensive businesses, non-residents, clients with a criminal history and clients in high-risk occupations or from high-risk jurisdictions. Understand the risks associated with transactions you are asked to perform, including those involving cryptocurrency assets and international wire transfers.
Compassion fatigue is a growing concern for BC lawyers, especially those working in emotionally demanding fields such as criminal or family law. It develops when legal professionals are repeatedly exposed to the suffering of others and/or traumatic material, such as graphic evidence, client testimonies or disturbing case files — leading them to experience mental and physical exhaustion.
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 topics such as nourishing your body and moving with intention.
The Provincial Court of BC has been advised that many peace officers/police officers will be deployed for public safety, traffic control and crowd management during the FIFA World Cup 2026. This will limit the police’s ability to participate in criminal and traffic proceedings. It may also impact the BC Sheriff Service’s ability to support court operations, including transporting accused persons in custody to court. To accommodate this, the Court has announced scheduling adjustments at some locations from June 12 to July 8, 2026. Updates will be communicated on the Court’s website as further information becomes available.
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.
Invitation to participate in lawyer well-being survey
The Law Society is inviting a random sample of lawyers in the province to participate in a new research project on lawyer mental health and well-being. Lawyers who have been selected will receive an invitation to participate in a survey in the coming weeks. Participation in the study is voluntary and all responses will be anonymous and confidential.
The project, a collaboration between the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and lawyer behavioural health and well-being specialist Patrick Krill (JD, LLM, MA), is being led by Krill and his research partner Justin Anker (PhD) from the University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. In deciding to participate in a US-based study, the Law Society conducted a thorough assessment and determined the research project meets the requisite privacy standards and will provide valuable insight needed to improve lawyer well-being in BC.
Upcoming 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 friends, family members or colleagues who can share secondary perspectives. You can take part by completing a 15–20-minute online survey or a one-on-one phone interview. Your answers will be kept confidential and won’t be linked to your name or member ID. What you share will help inform future policy improvements. The survey will be launched the week of July 14 and will remain open until October 31.
The Supreme Court Law Review is seeking papers on 2024-2025 Supreme Court of Canada decisions and their implications on a particular area of law or issue of national concern. If you are interested in submitting, email your bio, an abstract for the paper and the language the submission will be written in to Shanel Belanger (shanel.belanger@lexisnexis.ca) by August 1. Successful submitters will be notified no later than August 15, and final papers will be due on December 5.
Call for board nominations: British Columbia Law Institute
The British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) is seeking nominations for two individuals to join their Board of Directors. BCLI is an independent not-for-profit law reform agency that works to improve and modernize laws. Board members play a critical governance role, contributing expertise to shape strategic direction, ensure accountability and champion their mission in the broader legal and public policy landscape. If you are interested in applying, submit materials to careers@bcli.org by August 15.
Continuing Legal Education Society of BC Appointments
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 onlinealong 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.
Latest from Lawyers Indemnity Fund
Don’t let your guard down! Funds transfer frauds continue
Cybercriminals hack into law firms’ networks to intercept communications and trick lawyers into redirecting wire transfers to fraudsters. These frauds involve sending emails that appear to come from clients, opposing counsel or other trusted contacts. Traditional red flags — such as a change in payment instructions or spelling mistakes — are rarely seen. Today’s sophisticated fraudsters get in at the front end by providing the initial payment instructions, making secondary verification 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 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.
Watch this three-minute video by Director of Underwriting and Claims, Michael Mulhern, to learn how to avoid funds transfer fraud.
Clients have also been victimized by cybercriminals, who have impersonated lawyers and their staff by phone and email to redirect client funds to themselves. Inform your clients about this problem. When you provide clients with your trust account information, consider advising them in writing that you will not change it. Encourage your clients to contact your office directly by phone to confirm your account information before sending any funds.
