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Difference between revisions of "If You Have a Problem with a Lawyer"
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If You Have a Problem with a Lawyer (view source)
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==File a complaint with the Law Society== | ==File a complaint with the Law Society== | ||
If talking to your lawyer doesn’t work, you can complain to the [http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/ Law Society], the organization that licenses all BC lawyers. It protects the public by setting professional standards of conduct and competence for lawyers. It also monitors, evaluates, and disciplines them. | If talking to your lawyer doesn’t work, you can complain to the [http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/ Law Society], the organization that licenses all BC lawyers. It protects the public by setting professional standards of conduct and competence for lawyers. It also monitors, evaluates, and disciplines them. Its [https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/complaints-en/ website section on complaints] explains the details, including [https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/complaints-lawyer-discipline-and-public-hearings/complaints/how-to-file-a-complaint/ how to file a complaint]. | ||
If you find it hard to put your complaint in writing, ask a friend or advisor for help. In your letter, describe your connection with the lawyer. Give a history of the problem and include any other written material that explains it. Include the lawyer’s name and your address and phone number. | If you find it hard to put your complaint in writing, ask a friend or advisor for help. In your letter, describe your connection with the lawyer. Give a history of the problem and include any other written material that explains it. Include the lawyer’s name and your address and phone number. | ||
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# You may be able to use the [https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/page.cfm?cid=143&t=Disputes-involving-fees Law Society’s Fee Mediation Program] for disputes between $1,000 and $25,000. It is free. This program works only if your lawyer agrees to use it. If so, the Law Society appoints a mediator to help you reach a settlement. Since the process is voluntary, it works only if you and your lawyer can agree on a settlement. Call the Law Society at 604.669.2533 in the lower mainland and 1.800.903.5300 elsewhere in BC. Or see its [http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/ website]. | # You may be able to use the [https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/page.cfm?cid=143&t=Disputes-involving-fees Law Society’s Fee Mediation Program] for disputes between $1,000 and $25,000. It is free. This program works only if your lawyer agrees to use it. If so, the Law Society appoints a mediator to help you reach a settlement. Since the process is voluntary, it works only if you and your lawyer can agree on a settlement. Call the Law Society at 604.669.2533 in the lower mainland and 1.800.903.5300 elsewhere in BC. Or see its [http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/ website]. | ||
# You can ask a [http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/practice_and_procedure/registrars_office.aspx Registrar] of the BC Supreme Court to review the bill. This costs $80. Plus you may have to pay your lawyer’s costs if you lose. There is no limit on the amount of the fee. You don’t need your lawyer’s agreement to use this process. You have one year from the date of the bill to apply to the registrar—if you have not already paid it. But if you have already paid the bill, you must apply within three months of paying it. The Registrar holds a hearing where you and your lawyer each give your side of the case. Then the Registrar decides what the fee will be. | # You can ask a [http://www.courts.gov.bc.ca/supreme_court/practice_and_procedure/registrars_office.aspx Registrar] of the BC Supreme Court to review the bill. This costs $80. Plus, you may have to pay your lawyer’s costs if you lose. There is no limit on the amount of the fee. You don’t need your lawyer’s agreement to use this process. You have one year from the date of the bill to apply to the registrar—if you have not already paid it. But if you have already paid the bill, you must apply within three months of paying it. The Registrar holds a hearing where you and your lawyer each give your side of the case. Then the Registrar decides what the fee will be. | ||
For more information on lawyers’ fees, check script [[Lawyers' Fees (Script 438)|438]], called “Lawyers' Fees”. | For more information on lawyers’ fees, check script [[Lawyers' Fees (Script 438)|438]], called “Lawyers' Fees”. | ||
[updated | [updated March 2018] | ||
'''The above was last reviewed for accuracy by Steven Gjukich and edited by John Blois.''' | '''The above was last reviewed for accuracy by Steven Gjukich and edited by John Blois.''' | ||
