In May 2024, the B.C. government passed the Legal Professions Act to bring lawyers, notaries and paralegals under a single regulator.
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Litigation
The CBA is an intervener in the Law Society’s and TLABC’s constitutional challenges to the Act. To learn about the latest developments in the litigation, see the timeline.
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Transition
The implementation of the Legal Professions Act is guided by transitional bodies who work with the Law Society, the Notaries Society, and other partners to transition to a new single regulator. This includes a board, an Indigenous council, and an advisory committee. It is anticipated the transition process will take 18-24 months.
A Ministry of Attorney General working group drafted preliminary recommendations on the scope of legal services a regulated paralegal might provide to British Columbians and has since sought public input.
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CBABC Submissions
Mar 18, 2026: Clearly defining regulated paralegals’ scope of practice
May 14, 2024: Letter to Attorney General: Progress of the Legal Professions Act
Apr 19, 2024: Letter to Attorney General: Introduction of Legal Professions Act
Mar 25, 2024: Letter to Attorney General: Concern about the single legal regulator reform process
Jan 16, 2024: Letter to Attorney General: Consultation on Single Regulator
Nov 22, 2022: Submission to Ministry of Attorney General: Response to Legal Professions Regulatory Modernization
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Government Updates
May 16, 2024: Bill 21 – 2024: Legal Professions Act Third Reading
Apr 10 – May 15, 2024: Bill 21 debated in the legislature
Mar 19, 2024: Government update on proposed model for the single-regulator
May 2023: What We Heard Report: Legal Professions Regulatory Modernization
Oct 20, 2023: Update on legal professions regulatory modernization in BC
Sep 2022: Intentions Paper: Legal Professions Regulatory Modernization
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Further Learning
Resetting the Board Infographic
See how Bill 21 will create a single regulator for lawyers, notaries and paralegals in B.C.On-demand: Town Hall with the Attorney General
Hosted by CBABC, Attorney General Niki Sharma, KC answered questions from the profession about the new Legal Professions Act.On-demand: Through the Looking Glass: Independence and Regulation in BC Today
Attorney General Niki Sharma, KC, Chief Justice Hinkson, Beverley McLachlin and other leading panelists shared their views on Bill 21 along with independence of the Bar and Judiciary.Why We Need Independent Lawyers, Gordon Turriff
A pamphlet explaining lawyer and judicial independence in relation to public interest.
