A law firm that is engaged in the practice of law on May 1, 2018 or commences or resumes engaging in the practice of law after that date must deliver a registration form within 30 days. In addition, law firms must inform the Executive Director immediately of a change of any information included in the registration form.
Which firms are required to register?
A "law firm" is defined as a legal entity or a combination of legal entities carrying on the practice of law. Law firm registration includes all law firms and sole practitioners, but not government, in-house counsel or law corporations that provide legal services solely as part of another law firm as a partner, associate or employee of the firm.
What information is required for registration?
You must provide the name of your firm, places of practice, including the chief place of practice and any other location from which a firm is engaged in the practice of law, and the names of all lawyers who will be practising at the firm.
As part of the registration process, the firm will also need to identify one or more designated representatives. A designated representative must be a lawyer at the firm and have practising status in BC. A designated representative must be readily available for receiving and responding to official communications from the Law Society including, but not limited to, general administrative matters, registration and conduct matters.
How does a law firm register?
Law firms may register online as follows:
- Log in to the Member Portal
- Click “Skip Notifications” if this appears on the next page
- Scroll down to the “Law firm information” heading
- Click “Register new law firm”
You will receive a confirmation email once your law firm has been registered with the Law Society.
What if there are changes to the registration information?
Law firms must immediately report a change of any information in the registration form, including contact information and the names of all lawyers who are practising at the firm.
In addition, a law firm that changes its designated representative must inform the Executive Director within 7 days.
To make changes to the information on record with the Law Society:
- Log in to the Member Portal
- Click “Skip Notifications” if this appears on the next page
- Scroll down to the “Law Firm information” heading
- Click “View and update your law firm’s lawyer(s) and the firm’s contact information”
You will receive a confirmation email once the changes to your law firm registration have been updated.
Further assistance
If you require assistance with law firm registration, contact the Registration and Licensee Services department at registration@lsbc.org or by telephone at 604.605.5311.