Law Society of B.C. to Begin Court Challenge of Legal Professions Act in Early 2025

The Law Society of B.C. is gearing up for a court challenge against the province’s new regulatory body, the Legal Professions Act, with the first stage expected to begin in early 2025. Despite a recent dismissal of their injunction application by judge Miriam Gropper, the society remains steadfast in their pursuit to challenge the constitutionality of the new legislation.

The Legal Professions Act, also known as Bill 21, has been a point of contention for the Law Society of B.C. since its introduction in April. The society argues that the bill infringes on the independence of the legal profession by giving the government more regulatory power over lawyers. They believe that the new board structure outlined in the act undermines the self-governance of lawyers and could have far-reaching implications for the legal profession in the province.

While the province maintains that the Legal Professions Act will not interfere with lawyers’ advice or advocacy, the Law Society of B.C. is determined to challenge the constitutionality of the legislation. They argue that the act threatens the independence of the bar and could have serious consequences for the legal profession in British Columbia.

With the first stage of the court challenge expected to begin in early 2025, the Law Society of B.C. is gearing up for a legal battle that could have significant implications for the future of the legal profession in the province. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.