Summary: A British Columbia Judge overturned the province’s law society decision to ban graduates from a Christian university from practicing law.
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge reversed the law society’s decision to ban Trinity Western University graduates from practicing law in the province. The Christian law school is part of the largest Christian university in Canada.
Trinity Western’s Accreditation Affirmed
The Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) said in April 2014 that graduates of the law school would be recognized but switched that statement in October 2014 after members voted. The members cited the covenant that students sign promising not to engage in sex outside of marriage as well as other upholding other religious beliefs as the reason for switching their decision.
There are around 13,000 members of the LSBC with 74 percent voting against accrediting the TWU graduates. Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson harshly criticized the LSBC for infringing on the school’s religious liberty by disregarding constitutional rights. Hinkson explained, “There is no basis upon which a conclusion could be drawn or any evidence from the Special General Meeting or the October Referendum proceedings that the LSBC’s membership considered, let alone balanced, the petitioners’ Charter rights against the competing rights of the LGBTQ community.”
Executive director of TWU’s proposed School of Law, Earl Phillips, said, “As the Chief Justice has affirmed, the decision to approve a law school graduate must be based not on personal opinions and feelings, but on the law and evidence. The evidence shows that TWU teaches its students to work and live with the highest levels of skill and integrity.”
Trinity Western University School of Law’s Approval Reversed
TWU now has the ammunition to go forth and fight other provinces that have banned their graduates. The Law Society of Upper Canada and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society refuse to recognize TWU graduates.
Photo: twu.ca