| RETAINING A LAWYER
 Check with CanLaw to see if we have any complaints on file. Read CanLaw's Advice on How to Hire a Lawyer
Here is our list of Lawyers in British Columbia Questions you should ask of both the Law Society and the lawyer before you retain any British Columbia lawyer.
- Check that s/he is in good standing with The Law Society of British Columbia.
Tel: (604) 669-2533
Review their Notices of Discipline Hearings
Fax: (902) 429-4869.
- 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.
The Society's Annual Reports are available online They can provide a great deal of useful information and leads to assist you.
The 1996 Annual Report of the B.C Law Society stated on page 10...
"Over half of 1996 complaint files were closed because lawyer misconduct or incompetence was not established after investigation. While these complaints may not establish lawyer misconduct, many do reflect poor service. The Law Society's current regulatory model does not adequetely address service quality complaints, (emphasis added) and the Society is reflecting on possible new approaches. Law firms could prevent clients from ever turning to the Law Society with these types of complaints by adopting practices that emphasize good client service and providing remedies to clients who are dissatisfied."
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TO FILE COMPLAINTS:
Please go to to review the complaint procedures.
KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
The Code of Professional Conduct for the Law Society of British Columbia can be obtained from the Society's web site. Use and read the Code 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. It isn't easy, but it is smart.
HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS in British ColumbiaTheir are about 8330 practicing lawyer/members of the BC Law Society. Complaints run about 1500 a year. This is indicative of a general dissatisfaction with the service being provided. In private industry, complaint levels this high would cause heads to roll. Most Law Societies will not tell you if they have complaints against a lawyer unless s/he has been "convicted" in an internal discipline hearing. However, of all the complaints received only about ten percent will ever get as far as a discipline hearing in British Columbia. The rest will be dismissed or closed at the preliminary stages
Most complaints to any Law Society are dismissed. Most complaints are simply frivolous and few have any real merit. Complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Statutes must be answered within 30 days. Although the law societies are not bound by these statutes, most will comply and fill your requests. |
