Difference between pages "How Do I Become a Lawyer?" and "Complaints against Doctors (5:XI)"

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In a nutshell, to become a lawyer you must graduate law school, complete a kind of year-long apprenticeship called articles, and be called to the bar to practice as a lawyer.


==Getting into law school==
All licensed physicians and surgeons who can practice in British Columbia must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). As of August 31, 2020, the CPSBC amalgamated with the College of Podiatric Surgeons. Both are now considered under CPSBC. The CPSBC also amended their Bylaws to reflect these changes. You may see more information about the amalgamation here: [https://www.cpsbc.ca/amalgamation-college-podiatric-surgeons-british-columbia https://www.cpsbc.ca/amalgamation-college-podiatric-surgeons-british-columbia].


There are two things you need to get into law school: some post-secondary schooling and the LSAT.
If you wish to file a complaint against your doctor, there are four options:
#Talk to your doctor
#File a complaint with the CPSBC
#Speak to a lawyer or the police for advice if you believe your doctor has violated a criminal law
#Speak to a lawyer for advice about suing the doctor (i.e., medical malpractice)


===Previous schooling===
'''NOTE:''' Even if you file a complaint with the College, you are still able to take steps 3, 4, or both.


Academically, you normally need an undergraduate university degree in something. It doesn't matter what the focus of your undergrad was, or whether it was a B.Comm. a B.Sc. or a B.A., you just have to have a degree. Some universities <span class="noglossary">will</span> also accept into law school students with a minimum of two years of an undergraduate program; however, this <span class="noglossary">will</span> depend on the university you're applying to, how many applicants they have and, of course, your marks.
There is no specific time frame in which to file a complaint; however, the sooner it is filed, the easier it will be to investigate.  


===The LSAT===
To file a complaint, there are three steps:


LSAT stands for Law School Admission Test. All North American law schools require that you write this test before you apply for admission. The LSAT is run by a private testing company, not by any particular school, and tests are offered on a quarterly basis in cities across the continent. If I recall correctly, the same exact test is written by thousands of people across Canada and the US on the same weekend. Your score is not a percentage, it's a weighted score. In other words, the result you get is a statement of how you ranked compared to the thousands of other people who wrote the test. If you ranked in the 50th percentile, for example, you did as well as half the people that wrote the test. If you ranked in the 80th percentile, you did better than 80% of the people that wrote the test.
#Complete and submit a Complaint Form (found on the College’s [https://www.cpsbc.ca/amalgamation-college-podiatric-surgeons-british-columbia website]).
#Make the complaint in writing; include your name, address, telephone number, the name and address of the doctor, the facts of the incident, and permission to send a copy of the complaint to your doctor.
#Send the written complaint to:


At this point you're probably wondering what the LSAT is. Put simply, the LSAT tests your vocabulary, language skills and inductive and deductive reasoning. There are fill-in-the-blank questions, questions testing your understanding of a brief essay, and logical reasoning tests. There's also an unscored essay section.
'''Complaints Department - College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC'''


At least one company that I'm aware of sells study guides and actual past LSAT exams that you can test yourself on; you can find these sorts of study guides at places like Chapters and your local university book store.
{{ResourcesLSLAP_addressphone
| address = 300– 669 Howe Street <br /> Vancouver BC V6C 0B4 <br />
| phone = 604-733-3503 (fax)
| email = complaints@cpsbc.ca
}}


===The LSAT, your grades and law school admissions===
You may send the complaint via mail, fax, or email.


Do your undergraduate marks count? Yes. Some universities look at a combination of your marks and your life experience; others look at just your marks and don't give a damn about whatever else you've been up to in your life. The sort of marks you'll need depends very much on the university you're applying to. Some have a lot of demand and, as a result, their mark expectations are higher; others have less demand to get into law school and have lesser grade expectations. In general, you should have an undergraduate average of no less than say 75% before you even think of applying to law school.
Once the College reviews the written complaint, it will begin an investigation. This includes obtaining further relevant information and,  potentially, relevant medical records. The physician will respond to the complaint. The College’s Inquiry Committee (made up of senior doctors and members of the public) will conduct a review of your complaint. If the College finds the complaint is valid, the physician may be expected to change aspects of his or her practice, or undertake further education. The College may also issue remedial advice or reprimand the physician if there is a significant departure from the CMA Code of Ethics. In extreme cases, the College may prohibit a physician from practicing medicine.


Of course, your LSAT ranking is important too. Some universities look at your undergraduate grades and your LSAT score independently, and factor in your life experience. Some, like UBC, apply the numbers strictly and look only at a mathematical combination of the two.
Please note that there is a special procedure for sexual misconduct complaints. You can either phone the College immediately at 604-733-7758 or submit a letter outlining the incident.


==Law school==
For further information:
 
'''Canadian Bar Association'''
https://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Health-Law/423


Law school in Canada is three years long. At the end of it, if you've graduated, you get an LL.B., a "Bachelor of Laws," or a J.D., a "Juris Doctor" or doctor of laws. First year is generally the toughest, since that's when you realize that law school is entirely unlike any other schooling you've ever had and the curriculum is standardized, with little room for personal choice.
'''College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia'''  
https://www.cpsbc.ca/for-public/file-complaint


Law schools are generally fairly uptight about how they process their students. In your undergrad you probably asked for or knew someone who asked for academic exemptions and leaves of absence and things like that. In law school you are expected to be career-focussed and have your mental and personal house in order before you start, and, as a result, this sort of academic leeway is rarely and parsimoniously dispensed.
{{LSLAP Manual Navbox|type = chapters1-7}}
 
Is law school fun? No. Is it as hard as you've heard? No, not at all. Once you've figured out how law school works, it'll be smooth sailing for you, as long as you know how to apply yourself and have halfway decent work habits. Remember, the study of a thing is a lot different than the practice of a thing.
 
One last point about law school. Give your first year a good go. Try your best but don't be devastated by the difference between your undergrad marks and your law school marks. Do your best apply what you learned in first year to your studies in second year. Your second year marks are critical, for the reasons which follow. In general, you can relax a bit in your third year.
 
==Articling==
 
Articling is the second-last hurdle you have to pass before you become a lawyer. Articles are a kind of year-long apprenticeship, just the way masons, fabric dyers and carpenters apprenticed to master crafters in the middle ages. The point of articles is to give you a hands-on introduction to the practice of law at under the tutelage of a senior lawyer, your ''principal''. As an articled student, you are insured by your principal and are permitted to practice law in a certain limited capacity. You are also subject to certain restrictions and requirements of the provincial law society and its rules of conduct and practice.
 
The law school doesn't hand out articles, however, you have to find them yourself. Articling is a job; an articled student is an employee of his or her principal, and you've got to apply for the position.
 
The vast majority of law students apply for articles at the end of their second year of law school, after the marks have been released. The articles <span class="noglossary">will</span> start almost immediately after third year ends, so people usually spend the summer after second year scrounging for employment. As a result, your second year marks are critical to your ability to obtain articles... for the same reason your third year marks are a lot less important, since you have, hopefully, already found articles.
 
No matter what, you must have articled before you can become a lawyer. As a result, it is critical that you find an articling position if you want to practice law.
 
==PLTC: The bar admission course==
 
All provincial law societies require law school graduates to complete both their articles and a bar admission course before allowing you to practice law. In British Columbia, this is a three-month course is called PLTC, the ''Professional Legal Training Course'', and it's completed during the year in which you article. Sometimes your principal <span class="noglossary">will</span> pay for the cost of the course; some articles don't provide for this and you'll have to pay the course tuition yourself.
 
PLTC is an academic introduction to the basics of actually practicing law in the real world, from client interview techniques to professional ethics to common trust account errors. PLTC is not fun; it is boring, tedious and unpleasant. Nevertheless it is a critical course which you must complete with near-perfection if you want to work as a lawyer. When I did PLTC, you had to have a minimum combined exam and exercise score of 11 out of 12 points, or 91.66%, to pass.
 
==Admission to the bar==
 
When you've completed PLTC and your articles are almost complete, your principal <span class="noglossary">will</span> have to furnish the law society with a sworn declaration stating that you are ready and competent to practice as a lawyer. You must ensure the law society gets your principal's declaration or you <span class="noglossary">will</span> not be called. PLTC <span class="noglossary">will</span> forward your marks to the law society for you.
 
==Summary==
 
Here's what you need to do in the order you need to do it:
 
#complete all or most of one undergraduate university degree,
#write the LSAT,
#send your undergraduate transcripts plus your LSAT test scores to the universities you'd like to go to,
#complete first year without having a breakdown or dropping out,
#once you've finished second year, look for and obtain your articles,
#complete third year without doing too much damage to your liver,
#start your articles and, at some point during that year, complete PLTC,
#apply for admission to the bar with your articling report (PLTC <span class="noglossary">will</span> forward your grades to the law society on its own), and
#be called and sworn in to the bar; the law society <span class="noglossary">will</span> provide you with a schedule of call ceremonies.
 
Good luck! Give me a call if you'd like.
 
{{JP Boyd on Family Law Navbox|type=how}}
[[Category:How Do I? (Family Law)]]

Revision as of 20:46, 9 August 2021

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by the Law Students' Legal Advice Program on June 30, 2021.
LSLAP Manual
LSLAP Manual
This page is from the
Law Students' Legal
Advice Program Manual.
See the full contents.
LSLAP Manual
Introduction
Chapters
5. Public Complaints
 · I. Introduction

 · II. Governing Legislation and Resources
 · III. Review of Administrative Decisions
 · IV. Privacy or Access to Information
 · V. Complaints against the Police
 · VI. Complaints against Security Guards
 · VII. The Right to Vote
 · VIII. Complaints regarding UBC
 · IX. Complaints regarding SFU
 · X. Complaints Re: Other Universities
 · XI. Complaints against Doctors
 · XII. Complaints against Lawyers
 · Appendix A: Glossary

 · Appendix B: Sample Notice Letter
v • d • e



All licensed physicians and surgeons who can practice in British Columbia must register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). As of August 31, 2020, the CPSBC amalgamated with the College of Podiatric Surgeons. Both are now considered under CPSBC. The CPSBC also amended their Bylaws to reflect these changes. You may see more information about the amalgamation here: https://www.cpsbc.ca/amalgamation-college-podiatric-surgeons-british-columbia.

If you wish to file a complaint against your doctor, there are four options:

  1. Talk to your doctor
  2. File a complaint with the CPSBC
  3. Speak to a lawyer or the police for advice if you believe your doctor has violated a criminal law
  4. Speak to a lawyer for advice about suing the doctor (i.e., medical malpractice)

NOTE: Even if you file a complaint with the College, you are still able to take steps 3, 4, or both.

There is no specific time frame in which to file a complaint; however, the sooner it is filed, the easier it will be to investigate.

To file a complaint, there are three steps:

  1. Complete and submit a Complaint Form (found on the College’s website).
  2. Make the complaint in writing; include your name, address, telephone number, the name and address of the doctor, the facts of the incident, and permission to send a copy of the complaint to your doctor.
  3. Send the written complaint to:

Complaints Department - College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC

Address 300– 669 Howe Street
Vancouver BC V6C 0B4
Phone 604-733-3503 (fax)


You may send the complaint via mail, fax, or email.

Once the College reviews the written complaint, it will begin an investigation. This includes obtaining further relevant information and, potentially, relevant medical records. The physician will respond to the complaint. The College’s Inquiry Committee (made up of senior doctors and members of the public) will conduct a review of your complaint. If the College finds the complaint is valid, the physician may be expected to change aspects of his or her practice, or undertake further education. The College may also issue remedial advice or reprimand the physician if there is a significant departure from the CMA Code of Ethics. In extreme cases, the College may prohibit a physician from practicing medicine.

Please note that there is a special procedure for sexual misconduct complaints. You can either phone the College immediately at 604-733-7758 or submit a letter outlining the incident.

For further information:

Canadian Bar Association https://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Dial-A-Law/Scripts/Health-Law/423

College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia https://www.cpsbc.ca/for-public/file-complaint

v • d • e
 
Chapters 1-7
Criminal Law  · Youth Justice  · Family Law  · Victims  · Public Complaints · Human Rights  · Workers Compensation
Chapter One:
Criminal Law
Chapter Two:
Youth Justice
Chapter Three:
Family Law
Chapter Four:
Victims
Chapter Five:
Public Complaints
Chapter Six:
Human Rights
Chapter Seven:
Workers' Compensation
I. Introduction · II. Governing Legislation, Policy & Guidelines · III. Introduction to Compensation Claims for Injured Workers · IV. LSLAP's Role at the Initial Decision Level · V. Limitation Periods and Timing of Decisions · VI. Making a Claim · VII. The Claim Acceptance Process · VIII. Worker Status · IX. Disability and Causation · X. Time Limits and Procedures · XI. Claim Benefits · XII. Appeals · XIII. Health and Safety Regulations in the Workplace · XIV. Assessments of Employers · XV. The WCB Fair Practices Officer · Appendix A: Abbreviations · Appendix B: List of Cases · Appendix C: Referrals · Appendix D: Resources · Appendix E: Claims Process · Appendix F: Checklist for Interviews · Appendix G: Checklist for Appeals · Appendix H: Sample Authorization Form
© Copyright 2023, The Greater Vancouver Law Students' Legal Advice Society.


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