Practice Resources

Lawyer leaving law firm

Precedent letters when lawyer leaves a firm
Ethical considerations when a lawyer leaves a firm* (Practice, Summer 2017 Benchers' Bulletin)
*This article is an update to "Ethical considerations when a lawyer moves on" (Practice Watch, Summer 2014 Benchers’ Bulletin)
The departing lawyer in the age of Covid-19 - Ethical, legal and practical guidance (Practice, Summer 2020 Bencher's Bulletin)

Locums

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Model policies

Model policies are for you to consider and use when you draft your own policies. They are NOT meant to be standard policies. Their suitability will depend upon a number of factors, such as the current state of the law and practice in each area of law, your writing style and your needs. Some may need to be modified to correspond to current law and practice.

Social Media and Social Networking Policies and Procedures
Guidelines – Recruiting, Interviewing and Hiring Practices
Internet and E-Mail Use
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy for Employees of a Law Firm
Respectful Workplace Word | PDF
Workplace Accommodation
Workplace Equality

Materials developed for the Justicia project:
Flexible Work Arrangements Word | PDF
Parental leave model policy for associates Word | PDF
Parental leave model policy for partners Word | PDF
Parental leave frequently asked questions
Demographic data collection

Organizing your law office

Opening Your Law Office (July 2018)
Loss prevention planning checklist
Twelve-month law practice cash flow budget worksheet
Sample associate agreement
Lawyers sharing space
Model Client Survey: Word | pdf

Paralegals, designated paralegals

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Practice Checklists Manual

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Protocols

Protocol between the Provincial Court and the Law Society (June 2022)
Protocol between the Law Society and the Office of the Registrar respecting the protection of solicitor-client privilege in connection with investigations under the Security Services Act (2008)

Western Law Societies Conveyancing Protocol (British Columbia) Version 3.0
Full text of the Protocol – Version 3
Solicitor's Opinion – Version 9
List of Protocol Lenders
Examples:
Wording for use when acting for the borrower and lender
Wording for use when acting for the lender only
File checklist
Statutory declaration regarding existing survey certificate
Letter from law firm confirming the participation of a financial institution

Resources by area of practice

Corporate/commercial
Family law
Litigation
Real estate and Juricert
Wills and undue influence

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Retainer agreements, limited scope retainers, joint retainer letters

For background information on limited scope retainers, see Limited scope retainer FAQs in the Fall 2017 Benchers' Bulletin and the free, one-hour CLE seminar CLE-TV: Limited Scope Retainers on YouTube.

Here is a sample general-retainer agreement, including information how it can be tailored to apply to a limited scope retainer (sometimes referred to as “unbundling”): Word | PDF [updated December 2016]
Here is a sample joint retainer letter (Appendix 6 of the former Professional Conduct Handbook).

These sample documents will be revised, if and when required, in response to amendments to the BC Code.

These resources are intended to help lawyers carry out their duties and manage their practices. The sample documents are intended as a starting point; they can be amended to suit the styles, needs and circumstances of the lawyers involved. Lawyers must exercise professional judgment respecting the correctness and applicability of the material. The Law Society expressly disclaims responsibility for any errors or omissions.