CanLaw: About Your Law Society

Where can I file a complaint against a lawyer?

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COMPLAINT ABOUT A BRITISH COLUMBIA LAWYER or PARALEGAL?

HOW, WHERE, WHEN, WHY TO COMPLAIN.

What steps you need to take and what you need to know

to file a formal complaint against any British Columbia lawyer or paralegal.

You also need to know if there are any complaints against any paralegal or lawyer,

any discipline history, reviews and if they are in good standing.

The British Columbia Law Society will not pay you money or

make a lawyer or paralegal pay you money because of his or her mistake.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

THE LAW SOCIETY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

How do I complain to my law society?

Lawyer Complaints?

What is considered a complaint?

YOU PROBABLY HAVE A

VALID COMPLAINT IF:

A lawyer fails to tell you what's happening in your case.
A lawyer does not reply to your phone calls or letters.
A lawyer is working for opposing sides in the same case.
A lawyer has told other people about a client's confidential matters without the client's permission.
A lawyer is working for a client against someone who used to be a client.
A lawyer's cheque is returned NSF.
A lawyer acts for a client when the lawyer is in business with the client.
A lawyer is rude.
If a lawyer lied to me.
A lawyer does not appear to be able to handle your case, whether through lack of knowledge or other problems.
A lawyer fails to account for funds held on the client's behalf.
A lawyer has stolen your money.
A lawyer is facing criminal charges.
TRANSPARENCY REGARDING FEES. A lawyer has a responsibility to disclose to the client at the start of the relationship the basis on which the client is to be billed for both the lawyer’s fees and any other charges in a clear transparent manner that the client can understand.
Lawyers and Students-at-Law are required to uphold a high standard of conduct in their professional and personal lives.

HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST BC LAWYERS

There are about 8330 practicing lawyer/members of the British Columbia Law Society

Complaints against BC lawyers run about 1500 a year.

The law society of British Columbia rejects most complaints against lawyers This is indicative of a general dissatisfaction with the service being provided. In private industry, complaint levels this high would cause heads to roll.

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

DOES YOUR LAWYER HAVE A COMPLAINT OR DISCIPLINE HISTORY?

Click here to review complaints histories against BC lawyers and paralegals

KNOW THE RULES

IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!

Review the Code of Professional Conduct for the Law Society which can be obtained from the Society's web site. Use and read the Code to help organize your complaint.
You can find links to each of the law society rules by using the MENU ABOUT YOUR LAW SOCIETY button above to go to the law society page for your province.
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.