Law Society news
Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a time to reflect, to show support for Indigenous people who were forced to attend Canada’s residential schools, to honour the survivors and the children who never returned home and to create awareness of intergenerational impacts. We encourage everyone in the legal profession and beyond to take this opportunity to deepen their understanding of our colonial history and the consequences of the residential school system, and to reflect on how we can collectively advance meaningful Reconciliation.
See our website for ways to commemorate this important day.
2026 fees approved
The Benchers have approved the 2026 practice fee and indemnity fee, as recommended by the Finance and Audit Committee and the Indemnity Subcommittee. In order to maintain the programs, support the needs of the profession, implement new initiatives and reduce deficit budgets, this budget introduces the first fee increase in over six years. The practice fee for 2026 will be $2,536, an increase of $215.
Of the practice fee increase, $200 relates to Law Society operational funding, and represents an average increase of 1.75 per cent per year over the last six years (2020–2026), compared to the average inflation rate of 3.2 per cent annually over the last six-year time period. The remaining increase ($15) is allocated to fund increased operating budgets of the external organizations funded by the practice fee.
The full-time indemnity fee remains the same at $1,800, despite increased claim levels. The indemnity fee has remained at this level for the past nine years. The total annual fee for full-time practising indemnified lawyers is therefore $4,336, an increase of 5.2 per cent.
Read the full budget overview.
Trust Review Task Force report recommendations approved by Benchers
The Law Society’s Trust Review Task Force (TRTF) was created to consider the recommendations arising from the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering for rule amendments and to assess the current trust accounting rules and requirements, including client identification and verification.
The TRTF’s final report contained 40 recommendations that seek to strengthen trust accounting rules and address the risk of money laundering in the legal profession. Following feedback from the profession and consideration of the recommendations, Benchers have now approved all recommendations, including a revision to recommendation 38, which implements a policy change to the implementation of the Trust Administration Fee (TAF) so that it will now apply to each client matter in which a lawyer receives in trust $10,000 or more in total.
Read the report.
Practice fee rebate pilot program approved by Benchers
Benchers approved the deployment of a one-year pilot project for a practice fee rebate program that will be administered in early-mid 2026, based on total income eligibility criteria. The purpose of the program is to recognize that some lawyers may be experiencing financial hardship for a variety of reasons, such that the practice fee presents an economic barrier or burden to staying in practice. During the pilot, data will be collected to inform the purpose, viability and design of a future, permanent program. More details about the pilot program, including information about eligibility and how to apply, will be made available in 2026.
Learn more about the practice fee rebate program.
Update on expansion of Alternative Discipline Process and new program
The Law Society’s Alternative Discipline Process (ADP) is a program that diverts lawyers who are under investigation from the regular discipline process into a confidential, consent-based remedial program focused on the support and management of health issues that have contributed to lawyer misconduct. Started as a pilot program in 2022, it has been successful in fulfilling its public interest objectives and was made permanent earlier this year. The benefits of the ADP prompted consideration of expanding the program. Benchers have now approved in principle an expansion of the ADP to consider additional health-related competence issues, as well as the establishment of an Alternative Resolution Measures program to address non-health related conduct issues where a resolution or a remedial approach is in the public interest.
Learn more about the approved changes.
Law Society 2025 Annual General Meeting
The Law Society’s 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held as an entirely virtual meeting on October 7. Advanced voting and registration are now open and will close at 4:30 pm on Monday, October 6. Details on how to vote in advance, register to attend the AGM, the business of the meeting and other information are included in the Notice to the Profession sent on September 18.
More information about the AGM can be found here.
2024 Law Society Annual Report now available
The Law Society of BC is pleased to share our 2024 Annual Report, which reflects a year of both significant challenges and determined progress. In this report, you’ll find highlights of our core regulatory work and progress toward our key priorities and strategic plan, including advancing Truth and Reconciliation, improving access to justice, supporting mental health in the legal profession and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in legal practice.
Read the Annual Report.
2025 Bencher elections: Call for nominations
Nominations of candidates in the upcoming Bencher general election are open and will close at 4:30 pm on Wednesday, October 15. To submit a nomination, please complete the application form and the nomination and consent form.
For more information, see the Notice to the Profession or the Bencher election page.
Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients
The Law Society congratulates Clarissa Peter and Cely-Rae Street, recipients of the 2025 Indigenous Scholarship, and Clare C. Benton and Vanessa Udy, recipients of the 2025 Graduate Legal Studies Scholarship. The awards were presented at the September 19 Bencher meeting.
Learn more about Law Society awards and scholarships.
Phase 2 of the Demographic Data Collection Project open until October 8
The Law Society has launched Phase 2 of its Demographic Data Collection Project and is inviting feedback on a draft questionnaire. Phase 2 follows Phase 1, in which focus groups with legal professionals, Benchers and senior leadership provided feedback on sample questions that helped shape and refine the draft questionnaire.
The web consultation is now open to the broader community of legal professionals and the public. Participation is voluntary, and responses will be accepted until October 8. Feedback can address any aspect of the draft questionnaire, including clarity of instructions, wording of questions, response options, order of options or explanations provided.
Check out the Engagement and Consultation page for full project details.
Survey on discrimination, harassment and bullying
The Law Society’s Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Task Force is guiding the development of a survey to explore the prevalence of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying in BC’s legal profession, barriers to reporting, experiences with reporting processes and outcomes and possible measures to address these issues. The anonymous and confidential survey will be available on the Law Society’s website from October 8 to November 21, 2025. We invite participation from the legal community, including legal professionals and individuals who work and interact with them in professional or work-related social contexts. Participation is the survey is voluntary.
Full project details will be available on the Engagement and Consultation page soon.
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.
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 page for full project details.
Complete the survey.
List of mentorship opportunities now available on the Law Society’s website
Mentorship programs are a valuable opportunity for legal professionals to grow their competence, confidence and network, and for experienced professionals to contribute back to the legal profession. The findings of the National Study on Mental Health and Wellness in the Canadian legal profession highlight the importance of mentorship in making the practice of law in Canada healthier and more sustainable.
Potential mentees and mentors can view a list of existing mentorship programs in BC and information about the cost, conditions of eligibility and the application process for each mentorship program on our website.
Seeking expressions of interest for the 2026 Law Society committees
The Law Society is seeking expressions of interest from individuals who wish to be considered for appointment to the Law Society’s 2026 Committees and Task Forces for a one-year term starting January 1, 2026. To apply, review the information about each of the Law Society’s committees and task forces and submit an application form and supporting resume online, along with an explanation of why you are interested in the opportunity. The deadline for applications is 4:30 pm on Friday, October 31.
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.
Practice advice
2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada
The Department of Finance Canada has released its 2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada. Lawyers are encouraged to read the assessment, as it discusses Canada’s most pressing money laundering and terrorist financing threats and vulnerabilities as well as measures to address the risks associated with them. See the “Legal Sector” section (pages 95–99) for the most relevant information.
Read the assessment.
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.
Wills and estates practice resources
Read our two new wills and estates practice resources: Top Ten Tips for Lawyers Drafting Wills and Administering Estates and Navigating Requests for your Deceased Client's File. These resources are intended to assist lawyers with navigating various ethical and practice-related issues that commonly arise in estate planning and estate administration, and to provide lawyers with guidance on handling requests for legal files of deceased clients in the context of estate litigation.
See more practice resources.
Assess your firm’s money laundering risks and take action
Lawyers are encouraged to assess their 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.
See the Client ID & Verification and Anti-Money Laundering Risk Management page for resources, including Risk Assessment and Compliance, Guidance on Politically Exposed Persons/Heads of International Organizations, Discipline Advisory on Country/Geographic Risk, Red Flags Quick Reference Guide and Risk Assessment Case Studies for the Legal Profession. Contact Barbara Buchanan, KC at 604.697.5816 or bbuchanan@lsbc.org for further practice advice.
Reminder: Free anti-money laundering measures webinar
A free online webinar, updated to take the Law Society’s 2024 rule changes into account, is available to help lawyers comply with anti-money laundering obligations and avoid being targeted by criminals, including those who seek to launder the proceeds of crime. The webinar counts for three hours of CPD credit.
See the Client ID & Verification and Anti-Money Laundering Risk Management page for more resources.
Fulfill your CPD requirements with LifeSpeak by December 31
LifeSpeak’s CPD program will be coming to an end on December 31, 2025. Access your account to watch eligible videos or download a transcript of your completed CPD training. Users are responsible for reporting their CPD hours to their professional association.
Log in to LifeSpeak.
News from the legal profession
Province proposes changes to Family Law Act to better serve the public
The BC government is intending to propose changes to the Family Law Act (FLA) to give more support to families and people experiencing family violence and to offer more parenting arrangements that put children’s needs first.
Read more on the government’s website.
Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project expanded
Chief Justice Skolrood has issued new Practice Direction 68 - Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project, which provides a means for parties to submit chambers application records electronically for some matters using Court Services Online. Practice Direction 68, which came into effect on September 8, provides for the expansion of the Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project to allow applications under 30 minutes to be scheduled before an associate judge in chambers where all litigants will appear by video.
See the Associate Judges Chambers Pilot Project page for more information.
Lawyer credential for LTSA web filing: Pilot program open
The Land Title and Survey Authority of BC (LTSA) is currently seeking lawyers to participate in their Law Society-issued Lawyer Credential pilot, which allows users to e-sign in Web Filing as an alternative to Juricert. The introduction of this new integration is part of LTSA’s Verified Transaction initiative, which aims to strengthen systems, enhance security and enable digital connections for those involved in real estate transactions. Pilot users will continue to be able to use Juricert. When using a Lawyer Credential through the pilot program, users will have the ability to e-sign multiple forms in a row for 15 minutes without having to re-verify. The pilot program will be available in late October to early November for pilot participants to test and provide feedback.
Join the LTSA Lawyer Credential pilot program.
Coming soon: Pilot program for BC property owners
LTSA is developing a new digital service for property owners to securely track property updates with one account. Creating an account will help owners stay informed, act quickly and make better decisions that support their property needs. To support the development of this new service, LTSA will be asking BC property owners to participate as pilot users and provide feedback. Those interested can sign up from late September to late November.
Subscribe to the LTSA's mailing list to stay informed.
Simon Fraser University announces new accelerated law program
Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has partnered with the law school at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom on the new SFU-Exeter Accelerated Law Program. This is a new dual degree program that will allow students to earn a BA and an LLB in six years. Interested students may begin applying on October 1 to join the program’s first cohort in fall 2026.
Learn more about the program.
Latest from Lawyers Indemnity Fund
BCGEU job action causing delays in issuing property tax deferment loan payout statements
The BC Property Tax Deferment program allows eligible homeowners to defer paying their current year’s property taxes. The Ministry of Finance pays the property tax on their behalf and secures repayment through a lien on the property.
Unfortunately, the time to process and provide property tax deferment loan payout statements has been significantly impacted by the BCGEU job action. What was previously a turnaround time of approximately three business days may now take several weeks.
See practice tips you can use during the job action.
