Skip to Main Content

regulation

    regulation

    Activity

    • Clark Wilson LLP posted an article
      A2J Update: Amendments will modernize legal professions regulation, improve access to justice
      BCPA invited to be a part of AG panel to discuss regulation of all legal professionals in BC see more

      We posted the update below on our social media when it went public back in March but we're also pleased to advise that the BCPA has been invited to sit at the table with the Ministry, along with representatives from the Law Society and the Society of Notaries Public, to discuss updating the regulatory framework for legal professionals in BC. 

      Elizabeth Kollias, BCPA president, is the BCPA's representative for this panel.

      Thursday, March 3, 2022 2:00 PM

      The Ministry of Attorney General seeks to modernize the regulatory framework for legal professionals in B.C., including lawyers, notaries and paralegals, to better protect people accessing legal services and help improve access.

      On March 1, 2022, David Eby, Attorney General, wrote to the presidents of the Law Society of British Columbia and the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia. Eby’s letter outlined several proposed changes to the existing regulatory framework.

      Subject to further refinement as work progresses, a legislative proposal will be developed that involves:

      • regulating all legal professionals in B.C. under a single statute and by a single regulator;
      • establishing a mandate for the regulator that clarifies its duty to protect the public, including the public’s interest in accessing legal services and advice;
      • establishing a modern regulatory framework that is consistent with best practices in professional regulatory governance; and
      • establishing clearly defined scopes of practice for each regulated profession with procedures to allow for expanded scopes as needed.

      Having all legal professionals under one independent regulator will help ensure an efficient and centralized approach to closing the access to justice gap. The changes will also strengthen the governance framework for all legal professions.

      The specifics of these changes will continue to be refined by the ministry in collaboration with the Law Society of British Columbia, the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia and representatives of the paralegal profession.

      More information will also be shared, including when and how public input will be sought.