The CBABC is active in promoting the interests of its members within the legal community and the community at large. Please consult the links below to learn more.

Advocacy & Submissions to Government
CBABC members and professional staff are actively involved in the development of government policy and law reform, lobbying on matters identified by members or responding to government initiatives. Access information on CBABC submissions to government, discussion papers and court interventions.

Canadian Bar Association (BC) Benevolent Society
The purpose of the Canadian Bar Association (BC) Benevolent Society is to provide assistance to lawyers and articled students who have suffered an illness or injury.

CBABC Aboriginal Law Student Scholarship Trust
The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) is excited to announce a new initiative finalized this summer with the assistance of the CBABC Equality Committee. CBABC has negotiated an agreement with the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation to advance legal education for Aboriginal persons through the establishment of two annual partial scholarships for Aboriginal persons to attend law school at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria.

CBABC Agreements with International Bar Associations
The CBABC enters into agreements with international bar associations in order to strengthen bilateral cooperation between legal professions, promote business opportunities, and increase the friendly exchange of information so as to develop the legal systems and economies of international regions.

International Development Program
The CBA has ongoing legal and judicial reform projects in China, Cambodia, East Africa, South and southern Africa, and Bangladesh on constitutional law, access to justice and the development of an independent, legal profession and judiciary.

Lawyer Referral Service
The purpose of the Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is to assist the public in selecting the most appropriate resource for assistance with legal problems. Last year, LRS referred more than 32,000 clients to LRS member lawyers. In operation since 1955, LRS is a non-profit program that provides referrals province-wide in every area of law. Lawyers provide LRS clients with an initial consultation of up to 30 minutes for a nominal fee of $25. LRS is a service operated by the CBABC and funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.

Public Awareness Campaigns
Information on CBA initiatives aimed at improving the public perception and understanding of lawyers and the legal system.

Student Initiatives - Mentorship Program
CBABC and the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law are pleased to invite lawyers to participate in the Student Mentorship Program. This program is designed to match law students with lawyers willing to share their experience and insight into the practice of law.

Volunteer Registry & Speaker's Bureau
The Volunteer Registry gives lawyers in British Columbia the opportunity to volunteer at charitable organizations in need of their legal expertise. Does your group need information about the law? If your group consists of 15 people or more, the Speaker's Bureau will provide your group with a qualified volunteer speaker at no cost.