Complaints against Lawyers (5:XII): Difference between revisions

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{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= June 30, 2021}}
{{REVIEWED LSLAP | date= July 22, 2024}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = complaints}}
{{LSLAP Manual TOC|expanded = complaints}}


If you wish to file a complaint against your lawyer, there are several options. First, before taking any legal action, you may wish to talk or write to your lawyer about the issue. If speaking directly with your lawyer fails, you can file a complaint with the Law Society of British Columbia, the body that regulates lawyers in BC.  
The Law Society of British Columbia is the regulatory body for the legal profession in British Columbia. They have authority to review the conduct and competence of lawyers practicing in BC, including lawyers in private practice, legal aid lawyers, government lawyers and Crown prosecutors.


Ways to file a complaint:  
Prior to lodging a complaint, a client should first talk to the lawyer or another member of the lawyer's firm about the issue. If speaking directly with the lawyer fails, a complaint may be filed. This can be done by filling out a Complaint Form and emailing it to professionalconduct@lsbc.org. Alternatively, the Complaint Form can be sent by mail or courier to the following address:


By postal mail:  
::Attention: Intake Officer
Attention: Intake Officer
::Professional Conduct
Professional Conduct
::Law Society of British Columbia
Law Society of British Columbia
::845 Cambie Street
845 Cambie Street
::Vancouver BC V6B 4Z9
Vancouver, BC, V6B 4Z9


Fax: 604-605-5399
The link to the Complaint Form is as follows: https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/Website/media/Shared/docs/forms/ProfCon/Complaint.pdf


Email: professionalconduct@lsbc.org
After receiving the complaint, the Law Society will send back a letter advising that they have received the complaint. It will be reviewed and assigned to a staff lawyer, who may request further information, including supporting documents, before commencing an investigation.


Online: at the Law Society of BC’s website: http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca.  
The Law Society discipline hearings are similar to court hearings. A hearing can lead to a reprimand of the lawyer, a fine up to $20,000, conditions set upon the lawyer, suspension of the lawyer, or disbarment of the lawyer. Law Society decisions are not always final and can be appealed.


The Professional Conduct Department will review the complaint against the lawyer. If they find they have no authority to investigate the complaint, they will close the file. Otherwise, they will contact the lawyer for a response.
For further information on the complaint process, phone the Law Society at (604) 669-2533 or 1-800-903-5300.  


The Law Society discipline hearings are similar to court hearings. A hearing can lead to a reprimand of the lawyer, a fine up to $20,000,  conditions set upon the lawyer, suspension of the lawyer, or disbarment of the lawyer. Law Society decisions are not always final and can be appealed.   
If it is the lawyer’s fee that is the problem, there are two solutions:
:a) Consult the Registrar of the BC Supreme Court to review the bill. If you have not already paid for it, you have one year from the date of the bill to apply to the registrar. However, if you have paid for it, you only have three months to apply. The registrar will hold a hearing where you and your lawyer are present. The registrar will decide the fee.   


For further information on the complaint process, phone the Law Society at 604-669-2533 or 1-800-903-5300.  
:b) Use the Law Society’s free mediation service. The mediator will help all parties reach a settlement.  


If it is the lawyer’s fee that is the problem, there are two solutions:
The Law Society cannot help with disputes over money or property. If you believe your lawyer has acted negligently, you can seek legal advice from another lawyer about your options.  
#Consult the Registrar of the BC Supreme Court to review the bill. If you have not already paid for it, you have one year from the date of the bill to apply to the registrar. However, if you have paid for it, you only have three months to apply. The registrar will hold a hearing where you and your lawyer are present. The registrar will decide the fee. 
#Use the Law Society’s free mediation service. The mediator will help all parties reach a settlement.  


The Law Society cannot help with disputes over money or property. If you believe your lawyer has acted negligently, you can seek legal advice from another lawyer about your options.  
:'''NOTE:''' In Spring 2024, the BC legislature passed the ''Legal Professions Act'' into law. The Act replaces the ''Legal Profession Act'' and consolidates lawyers, notaries public, and paralegals into a single professional regulator, and alters the size and composition of the regulator’s board. The Law Society of BC has launched legal action challenging the constitutionality of the new ''Act'' on the ground that it undermines the independence of the legal professions. These developments are unlikely to substantially affect the process for making complaints against lawyers, but it should be noted that there is currently significant uncertainty regarding the regulation of the legal professions in BC.


The Law Society of BC  
The Law Society of BC<BR>
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/complaints/
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/complaints/ <BR>
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/faq-complaints-and-discipline/
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/faq-complaints-and-discipline/


Canadian Bar Association  
Canadian Bar Association<BR>
https://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Lawyers-Legal-Services-and-Courts/436
https://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Lawyers-Legal-Services-and-Courts/436


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Latest revision as of 23:21, 15 August 2024

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on July 22, 2024.



The Law Society of British Columbia is the regulatory body for the legal profession in British Columbia. They have authority to review the conduct and competence of lawyers practicing in BC, including lawyers in private practice, legal aid lawyers, government lawyers and Crown prosecutors.

Prior to lodging a complaint, a client should first talk to the lawyer or another member of the lawyer's firm about the issue. If speaking directly with the lawyer fails, a complaint may be filed. This can be done by filling out a Complaint Form and emailing it to professionalconduct@lsbc.org. Alternatively, the Complaint Form can be sent by mail or courier to the following address:

Attention: Intake Officer
Professional Conduct
Law Society of British Columbia
845 Cambie Street
Vancouver BC V6B 4Z9

The link to the Complaint Form is as follows: https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/Website/media/Shared/docs/forms/ProfCon/Complaint.pdf

After receiving the complaint, the Law Society will send back a letter advising that they have received the complaint. It will be reviewed and assigned to a staff lawyer, who may request further information, including supporting documents, before commencing an investigation.

The Law Society discipline hearings are similar to court hearings. A hearing can lead to a reprimand of the lawyer, a fine up to $20,000, conditions set upon the lawyer, suspension of the lawyer, or disbarment of the lawyer. Law Society decisions are not always final and can be appealed.

For further information on the complaint process, phone the Law Society at (604) 669-2533 or 1-800-903-5300.

If it is the lawyer’s fee that is the problem, there are two solutions:

a) Consult the Registrar of the BC Supreme Court to review the bill. If you have not already paid for it, you have one year from the date of the bill to apply to the registrar. However, if you have paid for it, you only have three months to apply. The registrar will hold a hearing where you and your lawyer are present. The registrar will decide the fee.
b) Use the Law Society’s free mediation service. The mediator will help all parties reach a settlement.

The Law Society cannot help with disputes over money or property. If you believe your lawyer has acted negligently, you can seek legal advice from another lawyer about your options.

NOTE: In Spring 2024, the BC legislature passed the Legal Professions Act into law. The Act replaces the Legal Profession Act and consolidates lawyers, notaries public, and paralegals into a single professional regulator, and alters the size and composition of the regulator’s board. The Law Society of BC has launched legal action challenging the constitutionality of the new Act on the ground that it undermines the independence of the legal professions. These developments are unlikely to substantially affect the process for making complaints against lawyers, but it should be noted that there is currently significant uncertainty regarding the regulation of the legal professions in BC.

The Law Society of BC
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/complaints/
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/faq-complaints-and-discipline/

Canadian Bar Association
https://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Lawyers-Legal-Services-and-Courts/436


© Copyright 2024, The Greater Vancouver Law Students' Legal Advice Society.