What is the articling process like in B.C.?
I can only speak to my personal experience in B.C., as every province has a different procedure. Let me know if any of you would like me to get more familiar with other provinces! For example, I know that in Ontario you can write the bar exams before you secure articles, and Alberta has a different structure which includes something like modules.
In my opinion, B.C. is likely the hardest province in Canada to become a lawyer in. You are not able to write the bar without securing an articling position, so you are essentially stuck in any progress. IE: Your principal has to “sign off” for you to do PLTC (the bar program, which is the ‘Practical Legal Training Course’).
Some basics to know:
You can start articling at any time, but many students here follow the recruitment process (Vancouver Bar Association) and will start in either May or September. If you are an NCA student, the law society will need your equivalency certificate once you apply to the NCA, and clear your exams to qualify for practice here.
If you are not following the recruitment process, then you can start whenever.
PLTC is three times per year - Feb / May / Sept. My recommendation is to do it near the middle of your articling term so that you go in with knowledge, and if by chance you have to redo something (which iso common), your call-date will not be effected by more than 1-4 weeks or so. Vancouver, Victoria, and Kamloops are where they take place, and sometimes Surrey.
You have assessments and assignments in PLTC. Assignments are a “practice round”, and honestly, they are a lot easier than the actual assessment. A pass for assessment is a whopping 70% - crazy! So you are not on a 50% pass scale. Similarly, exams are a 60% pass (you have two exams, one barristers and one solicitors). You will be tested on all subjects that you learn, and ethics will be on both. Barristers is court-based work like criminal, civil, and family. Solicitors is more “paperwork”, like corporate and real estate.
Articling is 10 weeks of PLTC, and 9 months of in-firm articles. This is a little shy of one-year, and takes into consideration some vacation time.
You are not allowed to work while at PLTC - it is a full-time program. I personally found it very useful.
You will have to submit a midterm and final report to the law society.
You will have a bencher interview (this is pretty informal - nothing to stress about). Benchers are the governors of the law society, and a majority of them are lawyers that have been appointed.
Helpful Links:
Law Society Rules: 2-57 and 2-58
https://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/support-and-resources-for-lawyers/act-rules-and-code/law-society-rules/
Vancouver Bar Association - Recruitment Guidelines
PLTC FAQ’s:
training-course/ NCA:
DISCLAIMER: Please be advised that all services provided are outside of the scope of legal practice, and should not be taken as legal advice, counselling, therapy, or anything under a similar scope of practice. These are services based on personal experience without qualification as a professional coach or mentor. I am not a qualified or registered counsellor, therapist, or psychologist/psychiatrist. All information and discussions are kept under strict confidence.
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