Law Society of Saskatchewan
Find Legal AssistanceMember ProfileMember ResourcesContact
  • 0
    Cart
  • My Account
  • About Us
      • Latest News
      • Free Webinar – September 27: Indigenous Judges Speak – Indigenous Experience in the Legal Profession and Beyond
      • Notice of Hearing – Hong Guo
      • King’s Bench Swearing-In Ceremony – Justice Jodi R. Wildeman
      • News
        • Legal Sourcery
        • Podcast
        • ReSource
        • Videos
        • Benchers’ Digest
        • Case Mail
      • Mission and Values
      • Committees and Task Forces
      • Convocation
      • Benchers
        • Bencher Election 2018
        • Bencher Election 2021
      • Annual and Financial Reports
      • Contact Us
  • Initiatives
    • Initiatives
      The Law Society is seeking to identify legal service providers for new initiatives. This unique approach, the first of its kind in Canada, enables the Law Society to expand access to appropriately regulated legal services in a responsible and sustainable manner. The overall goal is to balance the need for enhanced access to legal services for underserved Saskatchewan citizens while ensuring public protection. For more information, click below. Consultation
      • Access to Justice
        • Future of Legal Services Initiative
          • The Limited Licensing Pilot
        • Limited Scope Legal Services – Information for the Public
        • Limited Scope Legal Services – Information for Lawyers
        • Saskatchewan Access to Justice Week
      • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
        • Equity Office
      • Legal Information
        • Legal Information Guidelines
        • Saskatchewan Access to Legal Information
      • Innovating Regulation
      • Truth and Reconciliation
        • Additional Resources
        • Notice to Day School Survivors
      • Saskatchewan Justicia Project
  • Regulation
    • Remote Executing Of Certain Documents And Remote Witnessing Of Wills By Electronic Means Legislation Now Permanent
      We are happy to announce that today, the Government of Saskatchewan repealed the temporary emergency regulations related to remote execution of certain documents and wills and replaced those regulations with permanent regulations allowing for remote execution of documents via electronic means (i.e. video calls) to continue long-term beyond the end of the public emergency period. Practice Directives
      • Definition of the Practice of Law and Unauthorized Practice of Law
      • Firm Regulation
        • Designated Representative (DR) Hub
      • Act, Code and Rules
        • The Legal Profession Act, 1990
        • Code of Professional Conduct and Amendments
        • Law Society Rules, Amendments and Practice Directives
        • Rules Concordance – Read More
      • Hearings, Decisions and Rulings
        • Hearing Committee Adjudicator Roster
        • Pending Discipline Matters
        • Discipline Decisions
        • Conduct Review Database
        • Ethics Rulings Database
        • Pending Admissions and Education Matters
        • Admissions and Education Decisions
        • Disqualification and Reinstatement
      • Lawyers with Practice Conditions/Restrictions
      • Lawyer Trusteeships and Successors
      • Potential Complaint Outcomes
        • Ethics Committee
        • Competency Committee
        • Conduct Investigation Committee
  • Public
    • New Law Society Complaint Form
      The goal is to assist and encourage complainants to provide clear and concise descriptions of their concerns, and reduce confusion by removing technical terms that may not be fully understood by members of the general public (i.e.: “conflict of interest”). Complaint Form
      • Finding Legal Assistance
      • Find Legal Assistance Search Guidance
      • Get Legal Information, Resources, and Options for Assistance
      • What to Expect From Your Lawyer
      • Looking For Lost Wills
      • Making a Complaint
        • Complaints Process
      • Common Client Concerns
        • Understanding Lawyers’ Fees
        • Quality of Service
        • Conflict of Interest
        • Confidentiality
        • Withdrawal
        • File Transfers
      • Common Client Concerns
        • Role of an Estate’s Lawyer
        • Role of Opposing Lawyer
        • Breach of Trust Conditions/Undertakings
        • Lawyer’s Conduct in Court
        • Lawyer’s Outside Interests
  • Lawyers and Students
    • Career and Volunteer Opportunities
      • Becoming a Lawyer in Saskatchewan
        • Students-at-law
        • Transfer Lawyers
        • International Applicants
      • Becoming a Principal
      • Career And Volunteer Opportunities
        • Students Seeking Articles
      • Membership Services
        • Member Renewal Hub
      • Awards, Bursaries, Scholarships
      • Consultation
      • Locum Registry
      • Expanded Practice Advisor Program
      • Forms and Fees
        • Law Society Forms
        • Trust Account Forms
      • Western Conveyancing Protocol
        • Protocol for Saskatchewan
      • Practice Resources
        • General Resources
        • Successor Listing
        • King’s Bench Rules
      • Health and Wellness
      • Pro Bono Legal Services
  • Legal Resources
  • CPD
    • Continuing Professional Development
      • CPD Activities
        • CPD Calendar of Activities
        • CPD On Demand (Subscription)
        • CPD Activity Application Form
        • Recorded Versions Shop
        • Study Group Resources
      • CPD Policy
        • Reporting CPD Hours
        • Eligible CPD Activities
        • Approved Providers
        • Remedial CPD Plan Information
        • FAQs
        • Transition to One-Year CPD Term
      • Contact Us
      • Volunteers
      • Presenter Section
  • Shop
Law Society of Saskatchewan Lawyers and Students Bencher Election 2015

The information provided on this blog is to, the best of our knowledge, accurate and up-to-date as of the date of posting. However, please be aware that information can change rapidly and without notice. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented after the posting date. It is advised that readers exercise due diligence and independently verify the accuracy of information they find on this blog news feed. Here are links to the most current information available in relation to our Membership, Saskatchewan Case Law, and Saskatchewan Legislation.

Bencher Election 2015

August 17, 2015

By Tom Schonhoffer, Q.C.
Executive Director, Law Society of Saskatchewan

bencherelection2015blogAnother 3 years has passed and the next Bencher Election is scheduled for November 2015.  This article has two purposes.  The first is to encourage lawyers to consider running as Benchers in this election.  The second is to reacquaint you with the process for online elections.

Lawyers are privileged to have self-government and must understand that it depends on the work and commitment of many volunteers.  I encourage you to give it some thought.

Now that I have you thinking about it, what do you need to know?

The best source of general information is on the Law Society website, in The Legal Profession Act, 1990 and in the Law Society Rules.

The first thing you need to know is whether you qualify.  Section 17 of the Act wisely disqualifies any member that is suspended from practice.  The other qualification is that you must either work or reside in the constituency in which you seek election.  The constituencies are described in Schedule 2 of the Law Society Rules.  Other than those minimal qualifications, any member can apply.

Rule 19 requires that candidates be nominated by two members in good standing who reside within the constituency.  Nomination forms can be obtained from the Law Society website.

Finally, it is a 3 year commitment, with the option to run for a second term.

This is no soft sell.  Being a Bencher requires a lot of time and hard work.  To start with, there are usually a minimum of 10 meeting days per year for Convocation.  Extra days can be added, as the volume of work requires.  There is also committee work, hearings, investigations and other assorted work.  I’m guessing that the average Bencher spends at minimum 15 – 20 working days per year.  This is a big commitment.

On the flipside, I have been working with Benchers for more than 20 years and can attest that the Bencher experience is overwhelmingly positive.  It’s very interesting work.  At the stage in their careers when most lawyers are becoming bored and cynical, being a Bencher provides a renewal of professional interest and the re-invigoration of a legal career.  I can prove it, too.  The fact is that after the first 3 years, almost all Benchers run for re-election.  If you are thinking of running but have questions, I encourage you to speak with our office or a current or past Bencher.

As mentioned, the second purpose of this article is to explain the online election format.

On approximately September 15th, voter’s lists will be posted online.  Members will receive an email asking them to check to ensure they are in the correct constituency.

Anyone wishing to be nominated can find a nomination form on the Law Society’s website in the election section.  Nominations are due October 4, 2015.  Nominees are also encouraged to provide a biography, along with a current business-size photo for the website.

By October 15th, all members will receive an email providing them with a link to the Votenet website where they will find biographies for eligible candidates in their electoral district, as well as a ballot.  Members will have until midnight November 15th to complete their ballots.

On November 16th, the ballots will be tallied automatically and the winners will be announced.

It is essential to maintain an up-to-date email address on the Law Society database.  Please ensure your email address is current by checking your member profile on the Law Society website.

 

 

Share this:
    

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Archives

Categories

Subscribe Now

Subscribe for the latest news from our blog "Legal Sourcery".


Submit News Post

Submission Guidelines

Online Tools

  • Search
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • LSS Initiatives
  • For Lawyers & Students
  • For the Public
  • Regulation
  • CPD

Subscribe Now

Subscribe for the latest news from our blog "Legal Sourcery".

Stay Connected

Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin

© 2023 Law Society of Saskatchewan. Website & Hosting by OmniOnline