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The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta

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The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta Law Society of Alberta The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta December 1, 2016 Format updated April 2016 Law Society of Alberta The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Amendment Table – 2016_V5 Amendment Amendment Other Rules Modified Description of Change Amendment Source Authorized Effective Impact 88.1 (10) To broaden the pool of decision makers December 1, December 1, Bencher Meeting when necessary 2016 2016 119.46 To allow law firms to use bank drafts and December 1, December 1, Bencher Meeting money orders with minimal effort 2016 2016 Changes listed in this table are ones made to Version "2016_V4" of the Rules. Where an amendment to the substance of a rule or subrule has been made since June 3, 2001, the amendment month and year are marked at the end of the Rule. Amendments made prior to June 3, 2001 are not marked in this document. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Version #: 2016_V5 www.lawsociety.ab.ca December 1, 2016 Law Society of Alberta The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents PART 1 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOCIETY 1 Interpretation .........................................................................................................................................1-1 2 Law Firms..............................................................................................................................................1-2 2.1 Collection, Use and Disclosure of Information.......................................................................................1-3 3 Amendment, Waiver or Variation of Rules.............................................................................................1-3 4 Service of Documents ...........................................................................................................................1-3 5 Seal of the Society.................................................................................................................................1-4 6 General Functions of the Executive Director .........................................................................................1-4 DIVISION 1 THE BENCHERS......................................................................................................................... 1-4 ELECTION OF BENCHERS.......................................................................................................................................1-4 7 Notice of Election...................................................................................................................................1-4 8 Districts..................................................................................................................................................1-5 9 Eligibility of Candidates .........................................................................................................................1-5 10 Nomination of Candidates .....................................................................................................................1-5 11 Voting Details Sent to Members ............................................................................................................1-6 11.1 Electronic Voting....................................................................................................................................1-6 12.1 Electronic Ballots ...................................................................................................................................1-7 13.1 Counting Votes......................................................................................................................................1-7 14 Successful Candidates ..........................................................................................................................1-7 15 Resolving Tied Vote ..............................................................................................................................1-7 16 Notice of Election Results......................................................................................................................1-7 17 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy ...............................................................................................................1-8 MEETINGS OF BENCHERS ......................................................................................................................................1-8 18 Procedure..............................................................................................................................................1-8 19 Adjournment for Want of Quorum..........................................................................................................1-8 20 Agenda ..................................................................................................................................................1-8 MISCELLANEOUS.....................................................................................................................................................1-9 21 Petitions.................................................................................................................................................1-9 22 Expenses and Allowances.....................................................................................................................1-9 23 Time limit for Votes Under Section 20(5)...............................................................................................1-9 23.1 Representation in Proceedings Adjudicated by the Society ................................................................1-10 DIVISION 2 COMMITTEES ........................................................................................................................... 1-10 24 Committee Organization......................................................................................................................1-10 25 Committee Meetings and Resolutions .................................................................................................1-11 26 Executive Committee...........................................................................................................................1-11 27 Election of Executive Committee Members and Constitution of Committees ......................................1-12 28 Election Procedures ............................................................................................................................1-12 29 Professional Responsibility Committee ...............................................................................................1-13 30 Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee ...........................................................................................1-13 31 Communications Committee................................................................................................................1-13 DIVISION 2A OFFICE OF THE PRACTICE ADVISOR ................................................................................ 1-13 31.1 Office of the Practice Advisor ..............................................................................................................1-13 DIVISION 2B OFFICE OF THE EQUITY OMBUDSPERSON ...................................................................... 1-14 31.2 Office of the Equity Ombudsperson.....................................................................................................1-14 DIVISION 3 MEETINGS OF THE SOCIETY ................................................................................................. 1-14 32 Notice of Meeting.................................................................................................................................1-14 33 Procedure at Meetings ........................................................................................................................1-14 DIVISION 4 FINANCIAL MATTERS ............................................................................................................. 1-15 34 Fiscal Year...........................................................................................................................................1-15 AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.......................................................................................................................1-15 35 Establishment ......................................................................................................................................1-15 35.1 Terms of Reference.............................................................................................................................1-15 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Version #: 2016_V5 www.lawsociety.ab.ca December 1, 2016 Law Society of Alberta The Rules of the Law Society of Alberta ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35.2 Responsibilities....................................................................................................................................1-15 35.3 Authority ..............................................................................................................................................1-16
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