• CHECK THAT S/HE IS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE B.C. LAW SOCIETY. A phone call to the BC Law Society at (604) 669-2533 is all it takes.
• Review their Notices of Discipline Hearings
• Ask when s/he was admitted to the Bar. (This will tell you how long they have been in practice.)
• Ask if s/he specializes in the area of law you in which you require assistance. What specialist training or certification does s/he have?
• Ask how many similar cases s/he has handled? How many were won.
• Ask if s/he has ever been disbarred, suspended, or disciplined by any Law Society anywhere.
• Ask if she has been the subject of fee reviews.
• Ask if any complaints have been made against her (regardless of the outcome) to the Law Society.

• Check with CanLaw to see if we have any complaints on file about an individual lawyer or judge.

Rate Your Lawyer
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST A LAWYER IN B.C.

Generally, complaints to any Law Society are futile. Your complaint will be treated with a lack of respect and your word will not be accepted over that of any lawyer. Nevertheless, complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.

KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!

Do you have a complaint about your lawyer's bill? Please consult our page on dealing with lawyer's bills. There is a separate court procedure, known as an assessment, to deal with these complaints. It is not done by the Law Society. Assessment of lawyer's bills is done through the Court, not your local Law Society. Please look in the government section of the telephone book under Courts for the telephone number of the office near you.

"CANONS OF LEGAL ETHICS
In force January 1, 1992

These Canons of Legal Ethics are a general guide, and not a denial of the existence of other duties equally imperative and of other rights, though not specifically mentioned.
A lawyer is a minister of justice, an officer of the courts, a client's advocate, and a member of an ancient, honourable and learned profession.
In these several capacities it is a lawyer's duty to promote the interests of the state, serve the cause of justice, maintain the authority and dignity of the courts, be faithful to clients, be candid and courteous in relations with other lawyers and demonstrate personal integrity."
Download the B.C. Law Society RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT HERE (CANONS OF LEGAL ETHICS file is in Word format) and use and read them to help organize your complaint. It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do. This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework. HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats. Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion.

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To file complaints with CanLaw click here:

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THE LAW SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
(January 1998 - January 1999)

To file complaints with the B.C. Law Society write, fax or email them at:

Law Society of BC
8th Floor, 845 Cambie Street
Vancouver BC V6B 4Z9
Tel: (604) 669-2533    Fax: (604) 669-5232
Send your complaint via email to the B.C. law society's fax machine. No long distance charges

Lyne Knights   or to    Ramona Pfeiffer

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