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
- 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 a workplan whereby rules are being 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 July 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 7 parts of the rules for drafting in round 1 which was scheduled to take place from January 2026 through June 2026. Overall round 1 drafting work was completed on time and is now ready for the next stage which will be public consultation starting in January 2027.
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| Part 3 – Governance | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
| Part 6 – Professional Conduct, Compentence, Discipline | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
| Part 9 – Indemnification | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
| Part 10 – Custodianships | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
| Part 14 – Business Structures | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
| Part 15 – Enforcement | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
| Part 16 – General | Drafting work complete. Ready for public consultation |
Round 2
The table below outlines the 7 parts of the rules which are included in round 2. Drafting of these rules was scheduled to begin in June 2026 and run through December 2026. This work has started and is in on-track to be completed on time.
| Rule | Status |
|---|---|
| Part 1 – Interpretation | Research work underway |
| Part 2 – Legal Professions | First draft to be discussed July 20 |
| Part 5 – Licensing and Authority to Practice | First draft to be discussed July 20 |
| Part 7 – Tribunal | First draft to be discussed July 20 |
| Part 12 – Trust Accounts | Research work underway |
| Part 13 – Fees for Legal Services | First draft to be discussed July 20 |
| Part 17 – Transitional | Research work underway |
II. 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 first phase of work is now complete. The second phase of work is to initiate a recruiting campaign to attract candidates for the two roles. The second phase of work is set to begin in January 2027 with the objective of having both roles filled by Summer 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.
III. Paralegal Committee – status update
The Paralegal Committee is responsible for conducting research and analysis to support making recommendations on the regulation and licensing requirements for regulated paralegal licensees. The Paralegal Committee started this important work in April 2026. The licensing requirements will be aligned with the “scopes of practice for regulated paralegals” that are being established by the government. The final decision on the scopes of practice is expected in Fall 2026.
The LPA Paralegal Committee’s work in underway and they are on track to make licensing recommendations by December 2026.
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