The Legal Professions Act, which brings lawyers, notaries and paralegals under a single regulator, passed in May 2024 with an anticipated transition process of 18-24 months. Concerns about whether the Act infringes constitutional requirements for an independent bar, and whether it engages sections 2, 7 and 8 of the Charter, led to a full hearing before the BC Supreme Court.
The CBA intervened to emphasise the indispensable role of lawyers in the justice system and the importance of an independent bar. The BC Supreme Court hearing of the constitutional and Charter challenges to B.C.’s Legal Professions Act has concluded, and the decision is under reserve.
