This quarterly update provides a summary of the work completed to-date by the Transitional Board and Transitional Indigenous Council (“Transition Team”). Topics covered in this update include:
- Rules Development – status update
- Code of Professional Conduct – status update
- Hiring Committee – status update
- Paralegal Committee – status update
I. Rules Development – status update
A core mandate of the Transition Team includes developing the first rules of Legal Professions BC. The team has developed a workplan whereby rules will be drafted in two rounds over a 12-month period starting in January 2026 and completing in December 2026, followed by a 6-month public consulation to begin in January 2027. As of April 2026, we have made signifcant progress and are currently on track with the workplan and timeline.
A copy of the workplan can be found on our website or accessed using this link:
Round 1
The table below provides a status update on the seven parts of the rules being drafted in round 1 which takes place from January 2026 through June 2026. Overall round 1 remains on track to the workplan and timeline.
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| Part 3 – Governance | Overall, on track. First draft distributed in late March. To be discussed at April board meeting |
| Part 6 – Professional Conduct, Compentence, Discipline | Overall, on track. First draft distributed in late March. To be discussed at April board meeting |
| Part 9 – Indemnification | Overall, on track. Draft discussed at March 18 meeting |
| Part 10 – Custodianships | Overall, on track. Draft discussed at March 18 meeting |
| Part 14 – Business Structures | Overall, on track. Draft discussed at March 18 meeting |
| Part 15 – Enforcement | Overall, on track. First draft distributed in late March. Draft discussed at April 13 board meeting |
| Part 16 – General | Overall, on track. First draft distributed in late March. Draft discussed at April 13 board meeting |
Note on Part 3 – Governance: The Transition Team has reviewed the governance process for elections and made a commitment to investigate the role of an independent nominating committee whose role would be to make recommendations based on a set of criteria. Examples of criteria might include geography, gender, size of practice, in-house or private practice. The criteria would be made public. This would apply to appointed, not elected directors. The Transition team is exploring building on what the Law Society currently does for lawyers running for bencher, namely an election statement. The goal is to provide helpful guidelines or suggestions, not create a prescriptive template. More information will follow as we explore options.
Round 2
The table below outlines the 7 Parts of the rules which are included in round 2. Drafting of these rules is scheduled to begin in July 2026 and run through December 2026.
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| Part 1 – Interpretation | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
| Part 2 – Legal Professions | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
| Part 5 – Licensing and Authority to Practice | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
| Part 7 – Tribunal | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
| Part 12 – Trust Accounts | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
| Part 13 – Fees for Legal Services | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
| Part 17 – Transitional | Drafting to begin by July 2026 |
II. Code of Professional Conduct – status update
The Advisory Committee introduced the first draft sections of the Code of Professional Conduct at the March 18, 2026 board meeting. Further discussions took place at the April 13, 2026 Board Meeting. Overall, this work is on track.
IV. Hiring Committee – status update
The Hiring Committee has selected an executive recruitment firm to support the search and hiring of a Transition Manager (who will become the first CEO of LPBC) and a separate Tribunal Chair (who will be responsible for drafting the Tribunal Rules during the transition period). The first phase of work which started in mid-April was to define the requirements for the two roles and develop candidate profiles. The objective is to have both roles hired and people in place on January 1st 2027.
Thank you to Transition Team members who have volunteered for the Hiring Committee comprised of Christina J. Cook KC, Jeevyn Dhaliwal KC, Bruce LeRose KC and Scott Simpson.
V. Paralegal Committee – status update
The Ministry of Attorney General’s Regulated Paralegal Working Group (RPWG) was tasked with making recommendations on possible scopes of practice for Regulated Paralegals in BC. The RPWG issued draft recommendations for public input in December 2025. LPBC reviewed the draft recommendations and provided commentary through the public consultation process in February 2026.
At the March 18 Board Meeting, the following motion was passed: “The Transitional Board and the Transitional Indigenous Council hereby ratify and authorize the establishment of the Paralegal Committee with the purpose of supporting the development of regulation and licensing requirements for regulated paralegal licensees.”
The Paralegal Committee started this important work in mid-April 2026. The first step for the Committee was to create a detailed workplan outlining the research and activities required.
Thank you to Transition Team members who have volunteered for the Paralegal Committee comprised of Terry Becker, Christina J. Cook KC, Scott Simpson, Sarah Westwood KC.
From the Communications Committee
Johanne Blenkin
John Borrows
Christina J. Cook KC
Sarah Westwood KC