Law Society Accredits TWU Law School

Statement - June 27, 2014 – John Malone (QC) – President of the New Brunswick Law Society

Law Society Accredits Law School

Council of the New Brunswick Law Society has voted to accredit Trinity Western University’s (TWU) proposed law school program.

The school, located in British Columbia is scheduled to open in 2016. The decision means TWU law students will be allowed to practice in New Brunswick.

Trinity asks students to sign a covenant agreement requiring them to act according to biblical values.  Among other things, the covenant prohibits sexual intimacy except within a marriage between a man and a woman.

This hearing has been about ensuring our profession represents all of the communities that lawyers serve.

The council always will recognize both religious freedoms and the right to sexual orientation without discrimination.   No matter which law school they graduate from, all articled students complete Law Society training and evaluation.  This includes the core aspects of professional responsibility, including non-discrimination.   As well, the Law Society requires that lawyers not discriminate in their professional duties.

Council also gave consideration to preliminary approval of the Trinity Law School program by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.  As well, the Province of British Columbia has accredited the proposed law degree.

Submissions were received from lawyers; both for and against accreditation.

After hearing from all sides and carefully considering all arguments in an open transparent forum, Council has approved the proposed law school at Trinity Western University pursuant to paragraph 22(3)(b) of the General Rules of the Law Society Act, 1996.  TWU is a private, faith-based school.  From the Council’s perspective, the law program has the necessary approvals to ensure graduates meet educational requirements.

Council received many written submissions, heard presentations from interested parties and involved Trinity in the process to ensure the university’s view was fairly heard and considered.  Those submissions are available on the New Brunswick Law Society’s website

In conclusion, I would like to thank those who submitted written and oral presentations, both in favour of accreditation and against it.  You have helped council understand all sides on the road to a fair and rational but difficult decision. Thank you as well to the media for making this process publicly transparent.