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Chief Justice Robert Bauman: "We have an access to justice problem in Canada, exemplified by the large unmet demand for legal services; as a result, both people and the rule of law are suffering."

The Canadian Bar Association BC Branch is seeking a volunteer to represent Yale County on Provincial Council. This appointment is effectively immediately, for a term ending August 31, 2019, and is for the regional district of Central Okanagan.

This year’s 28 appointees are British Columbian lawyers with a diverse set of professional specializations including First Nations law, criminal law, commercial litigation, family law and mediation. The appointees have been chosen for their distinguished accomplishments in areas such as continuing legal education, community volunteerism and mentorship of new legal professionals.

A number of family lawyers are urging the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) to listen to the profession after a motion was adopted at the society’s annual general meeting asking it to take a step back on its efforts to allow paralegals to have a limited scope of practice.

President Margaret A. Mereigh is pleased to announce that Ms. Kerry Simmons, Q.C. will serve as Acting Executive Director of the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch effective December 17, 2018, following the appointment of former Executive Director Caroline Nevin as CEO of BC Courthouse Libraries.

"I am writing to encourage all of you to request Gladue Reports through Legal Services Society. We realize that this process has often been difficult and results in additional time spent on your behalf, but increasing the capacity and demand for Gladue Reports is crucial in fulfilling the promise of Gladue in BC. "

The UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law is calling for volunteer judges for the 2019 First Year Moots. The moot topic will be in the area of contract law, but no professional knowledge in this area is required.

The B.C. legislature is considering legislation to allow the provincial law society to give more powers to paralegals, but the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch (CBABC) is asking the government to delay the move, saying it requires more study and may have significant consequences on the practice of family law in the province.

The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch encourages the provincial government to assess legal costs the way they would be assessed in any business, including asking: Is ICBC adjudicating claims in a way that leads to higher legal costs?

The UBC Peter A. Allard School of Law is calling for volunteer judges for the 2019 First Year Moots.