The society's primary mandate under the Legal Profession Act[2] is to uphold and protect the public interest in the administration of justice by preserving and protecting the rights and freedoms of all persons, ensuring the independence, integrity, honour and competence of lawyers, establishing standards and programs for the education, professional responsibility and competence of BC lawyers.

The Benchers are responsible for governing and administering the affairs of the Law Society including setting standards for admission, conduct and competence.

Motivated in part by the new-found wealth of the gold rush, Queen Victoria dispatched an experienced English lawyer, Matthew Baillie Begbie, to establish and protect the lands to which her country laid claim.

On December 24, 1858, Justice Begbie published an Order of the Court which gave the first official recognition to barristers and solicitors in the colonies.

Crease believed that the legal profession needed to be regulated, particularly since Begbie's lengthy absences while administering justice in BC's vast frontier made it difficult for the judge to do so in a timely and effective manner.

The committee is also responsible for reviewing applications relating to a student's failed standing in PLTC and for considering any matters arising from the articling system.

The Law Society employs a team of staff lawyers, designated as practice advisors and dedicated to giving professional ethical advice.

The committee identifies current professional responsibility issues and makes recommendations on changes to the BC Code for consideration by the Benchers.

The committee also interprets existing BC Code rules, gives advice to individual lawyers and publishes opinions to the profession at large on matters of professional responsibility.

Lawyers are also protected if they fall victim to the "bad cheque" scam, helping ensure that clients do not suffer a financial loss.

Since 1949, the Law Society has provided financial protection so that innocent members of the public do not suffer hardship because of the actions of a dishonest lawyer.

The audits also ensure lawyers develop proper accounting systems, record-keeping practices and trust fund handling procedures.

Like most regulatory bodies, the Law Society uses a system of progressive or graduated discipline to respond to lawyer violations of the Act, Rules and the BC Code.

The annual award aims to enhance the retention of Aboriginal lawyers by supporting the development of Indigenous leaders and role models in the legal academic community.