UPDATE ON BC NOTARIES AND LAW SOCIETY JOINT TASK FORCE

Society of Notaries Public of BC Welcomes Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Law Society of BC to Pursue Possible Development of Joint Proposal

For Immediate Release:  April 15, 2015

Vancouver, BC— The Society of Notaries Public of BC and the Law Society of BC have jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue the possible development of a joint proposal for consideration by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

This proposal would provide for the assumption of certain regulatory responsibilities for Notaries Public by the Law Society over time to while preserving the identity and identification of BC Notaries as separate and distinct from lawyers.

This MOU also provides for discussion of an expanded scope of practice for BC Notaries which we believe would have significant benefits for both the public in providing expanded access to non-contentious legal services, and for our members, across the province.

This MOU evolved from discussions of a joint BC Notaries and Law Society of BC Task Force, which recommended a merger of regulatory operations to improve the delivery of legal services to the public, facilitate increased access to justice and to expand the scope of services available to Notaries Public. Other jurisdictions, including Ontario and Washington State have successfully adopted similar models.

BC Notaries’ Board of Directors fully supports this agreement, and believe it presents a potentially significant and positive opportunity to further the public interest, as well as for our members and our profession.

G. W. Wayne Braid

CEO and Secretary

The Society of Notaries Public of BC

T: 604 681-4516

E: gwb@society.notaries.bc.ca