The Law Society's initiatives relate to our mandate to protect the public interest in the administration of justice. Track our progress here.
Initiative
Current status
Reports and related material
Rule / other changes
Consultation on the factors and forces that are likely to influence the delivery of legal services and regulation of the legal profession
Consultation open until March 31, 2020
Futures Task Force consultation paper
Proposed amendment to fiduciary property rule (Rule 3-55) for compliance with anti-money laundering
Strategic Plan goal 3-2
Discussed at July 15, 2019 Bencher meeting. Revisions being considered for Bencher decision in 2020.
Federation Backgrounder on Model Trust Accounting Rules
Changes to the “duty to report”
(Mental Health)
Strategic Plan goal 5-1
Rule change approved by Benchers December 2019
Second interim report 2020 2019 Year End Report 2019 Mid-Year Report First Interim Report
BC Code rule 7.1-3
Revision of Admission Program Application Form to remove medical fitness questions
Approved by Benchers and In force as of January 31, 2020
Second Interim Report 2020 2019 Year End Report 2019 Mid-Year Report First Interim Report
Admission Program Application Form
Requirement for practising lawyers to complete Indigenous intercultural competency course
Strategic Plan goal 1-3(c)
Benchers approved the development of a mandatory Indigenous Cultural Competence Course at the December 2019 meeting. The course is currently under development.
Joint Recommendation Report of the Truth and Reconciliation and the Lawyer Education Advisory Committees
Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan
Trust account rule changes requiring that trust accounts may only be used for funds directly related to legal services
(Anti-Money Laundering)
Rule changes approved by Benchers July 2019
Model Trust Accounting Rule
Federation’s Guidance to the Legal Profession
Law Society FAQs
Rule 1 definition of "trust funds" and Rules 3-53, 3-58.1, 3-59, 3-70 and 3-98
Cash transaction rule change prohibiting lawyers accepting “more than $7,500” in cash
Rule change approved by Benchers July 2019
Model Cash Transaction Rule
Rule 3-59
Client ID and verification rule changes
Rule changes approved by Benchers July and December 2019, effective January 1, 2020
Model Rule on Client ID and Verification
Part 3, Division 11 (Rules 3-98 to 3-110)
Licensed Paralegal consultation to explore potential for licensed paralegals to address areas of unmet need in the legal services market.
Strategic Plan goal 1-1(b)
Consultation closed
2018 AGM resolution
Report of the Legal Services Regulatory Framework Task Force, Dec. 2014
Legal Service Provider Task Force Final Report, Dec. 2013
Law Firm Regulation: Firm Self-Assessment
Strategic Plan goal 4-2
Approved for profession-wide implementation in 2021
Final Report of the Law Firm Regulation Task Force
Professional Elements Report
Second interim: December 2017