As President of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2023-2024 term, I am pleased to welcome you to the Law Society’s website. I hope that you find it useful and interesting.
The Law Society is the regulatory body for the legal profession in the province and is governed by Benchers. The President acts as the Chair of meetings of Benchers, or Convocations. This word, Convocation, is used because of the Benchers’ authority to grant degrees in law.
The composition of Benchers is 17 lawyers, elected by their colleagues, and 4 lay Benchers appointed by the Chief Justice of the Trial Division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Benchers are limited to election or appointment for a maximum of two four-year terms. All Benchers work to protect the public interest in the delivery of quality legal services, together with the Law Society’s professional and administrative staff and use of a robust committee system.
Benchers ensure that those seeking admission to the practice of law in Newfoundland and Labrador as law students are appropriately educated at law school, rigorously trained through the articling and Bar Admission Course programs, and subject to examinations of the Law Society; or that they are properly seeking admission to practice after becoming members of Bars outside the province. In furtherance of the goal of lifelong learning, Benchers also ensure that practising lawyers have access to an excellent law library collection and many high quality Continuing Legal Education offerings.
In addition to local concerns, Benchers consider matters impacting upon the profession and the public nationally and internationally. The Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador is a member of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and collaborates, when appropriate and in the public interest, with governments and other stakeholders at home and abroad.
If you have questions about the work of the Law Society, including the regulation of the legal profession or the administration of justice generally, you should contact one of the Benchers listed in the Directory, or the Law Society’s staff.