CBABC has 50+ Branch Sections. Some have National counterparts and others are unique to B.C. Browse the list below to explore all the Sections available to you.
Any Section with an asterisk(*) provides automatic enrollment to its corresponding National Section.
| Section | Mandate |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Law - Vancouver* | Provides a forum for the exchange of views and experiences among lawyers who deal with Aboriginal issues for First Nations, industry and all levels of government. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Aboriginal Law - Vancouver Island* | Provides a forum for the exchange of views and experiences among lawyers who deal with Aboriginal issues for First Nations, industry and all levels of government. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Aboriginal Lawyers Forum | Provides a networking and mentoring forum for Aboriginal lawyers, law students and law graduates. Encourages the retention of Aboriginal people in the legal profession, the enhancement of our stature and influence, and staying connected to our culture. 2023/24 Programs: 13 |
| Administrative Law* | Deals with law, policy and the exercise of power delegated by government to quasi-judicial boards and agencies. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Air Law* | Deals with domestic and international law as it applies to the exploration and utilization of outer space and to the aviation industry including accident liabilities and licensing and regulation of aircraft, crew and services. Join this Section and play a role in shaping legislation and government policy. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution - Nanaimo* | Provides a forum for professional development, education, networking and discussion regarding various forms of dispute resolution used within and outside of the litigation system, including arbitration, mediation, collaborative law, and court-annexed settlement procedures. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Alternative Dispute Resolution - Vancouver* | Provides a forum for professional development, education, networking and discussion regarding various forms of dispute resolution used within and outside of the litigation system, including arbitration, mediation, collaborative law, and court-annexed settlement procedures. 2023/24 Programs: 1 |
| Animal Law | Studies various issues involving wild and domestic animals and educates the legal community about them. Animal Law is an evolving area of practice and this CBABC Section welcomes new ideas, insights and assistance. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Appellate Advocacy | Provides a forum for discussion on topics of interest related to civil and criminal appellate practice in B.C. and the Supreme Court of Canada. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Business Law* | Addresses law which governs the rights and responsibilities of parties to commercial transactions and of directors, officers and shareholders of business corporations. Join this Section and play a role in shaping legislation and government policy. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Charities and Not-for-Profit Law* | Deals with legal issues related to this important sector. Welcomes lawyers who advise or serve on the boards of charitable and other not-for-profit organizations – or are otherwise involved with the law and practice related to the charitable and not-for-profit sector. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Children's Law* | Highlights the significance, complexity and impact of legal situations facing children and youth, to improve the law affecting children and youth and to provide practitioners interested and involved in children and youth issues a forum for discussion, support and action. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Civil Litigation - Okanagan* | Deals with the practice of civil litigation, including rules and procedures for the conduct of civil cases, the jurisdiction of civil courts, the enforcement of judicial decisions of a civil nature and the role of counsel in the civil litigation system. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Civil Litigation - Vancouver* | Deals with the practice of civil litigation, including rules and procedures for the conduct of civil cases, the jurisdiction of civil courts, the enforcement of judicial decisions of a civil nature and the role of counsel in the civil litigation system. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Civil Litigation - Vancouver Island* | Deals with the practice of civil litigation, including rules and procedures for the conduct of civil cases, the jurisdiction of civil courts, the enforcement of judicial decisions of a civil nature and the role of counsel in the civil litigation system. 2023/24 Programs: 1 |
| Class Action | Addresses developments and trends in the legislation and case law governing the approval or certification of class proceedings under the Rules of Court and the Class Proceedings Act as well as general topics of procedural and substantive law as they apply in the context of class proceedings. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Commercial and Real Estate - Okanagan* | Concerned with law that establishes and regulates the rights and obligations of the owner, mortgagee, landlord and tenant in the use and disposition of land and interests in land, and which provides the facilities for the public recording of ownership of interests in land. 2023/24 Programs: 1 |
| Commodity Tax, Customs and Trade - National | There is no BC chapter of this Section Deals with law and practice related to commodity tax, customs and trade remedy matters including, but not limited to, the goods and services or harmonized sales tax, provincial sales taxes, excise taxes, North American Free Trade Agreement, customs duties, valuation, tariff classification, rules of origin, procurement, trade remedies, import/export controls and related matters. Activities include consultation with the Department of Finance (Canada), the Canada Revenue Agency, the Canada Border Services Agency, involvement in the Federal Court/Tax Court review process and Bench and Bar Committees with the Tax Court and Canadian International Trade Tribunal. |
| Competition Law and Foreign Investment Review - National | There is no BC chapter of this Section Deals with legal policy, issues, and developments in the competition field domestically and internationally and promotes a greater awareness of competition law and foreign investment review. The Section consults on an ongoing basis with the Competition Bureau, the Department of Justice (Canada), the Competition Tribunal, Investment Review Division of Industry Canada, and Heritage Canada on issues relating to the administration of the Competition Act and the Investment Canada Act and on current and proposed enforcement policies and practices in relation to such legislation. It also contributes to the review of competition legislation and foreign investment review legislation and fosters relations in foreign jurisdictions with the legal profession and others interested in international competition law and policy issues or foreign investment review, and promotes cooperative educational efforts. |
| Constitutional/Civil Liberties Law* | Addresses constitutional law, including issues of federalism, the role of the executive, the Charter and related areas of law which define and protect individual and collective rights. Civil Liberties deals with the law where the rights of the individual are subject to infringement. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Construction Law* | Deals with contract preparation, financing and litigation relating to residential, commercial and industrial construction. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Criminal Justice - Vancouver* | Involves collegial discussion of issues and developments related to criminal law (and provincial offences), procedure and practice ethics, evidence and the Charter. 2023/24 Programs: 6 |
| Criminal Justice - Vancouver Island* | Involves collegial discussion of issues and developments related to criminal law (and provincial offences), procedure and practice ethics, evidence and the Charter. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Elder Law* | Addresses legal issues and problems of the elderly including age discrimination, elder abuse and exploitation, mental capacity and consent, medical and housing issues, guardianship, ethical and practical aspects of advising the older client. 2023/24 Programs: 7 |
| Employment Law* | Deals with employment law issues in non-unionized workplaces. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Environmental Law* | Addresses law which imposes, regulates or prevents conduct which damages or destroys the environment. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Family Law - Fraser Valley* | Addresses law, practice and ethics in all areas of family law and supports the retention of family law lawyers. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Family Law - Kamloops* | Addresses law, practice and ethics in all areas of family law and supports the retention of family law lawyers. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Family Law - Okanagan* | Addresses law, practice and ethics in all areas of family law and supports the retention of family law lawyers. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Family Law - Vancouver* | Addresses law, practice and ethics in all areas of family law and supports the retention of family law lawyers. 2023/24 Programs: 8 |
| Family Law - Vancouver Island* | Addresses law, practice and ethics in all areas of family law and supports the retention of family law lawyers. 2023/24 Programs: 11 |
| Freedom of Information and Privacy Law* | Provides a forum for the exchange of information, networking and education of lawyers practising or interested in the area of freedom of information and privacy law. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| French Speaking Common Law Members - National | There is no BC chapter of this Section To make the Association, its Branches and its members aware of the practice of common law in French, identifying and making members aware of relevant tools and resources; to work with National and Branch Sections, Conferences and Standing Committees to promote the organization of meetings, continuing legal education and other programs in French; and to organize common law programs and programming in French at meetings of the Association. |
| General Practice, Solo & Small Firm* | Addresses the needs of general practitioners by organizing specialized programs and providing a forum for the exchange of information and opinion. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Health Law* | Addresses different issues of health law, such as health disciplines, mental health, public health facilities and patients' rights, and provides a forum for rational and articulate discussion of issues in the health law field. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Human Rights Law* | Addresses various issues in the area of human rights law such as practice before the tribunal, alternate dispute resolution and pre-hearing procedures. Provides a forum for general discussion of issues in the area, such as the intersection of human rights with legal rights extended under the Charter, labour and employment law. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Immigration Law* | Addresses law, practice and ethics in all areas of immigration law and supports the retention of immigration law lawyers. 2023/24 Programs: 19 |
| In-House Lawyers (CCCA)* | Provides a collegial forum for discussion among in-house lawyers and the exchange of experiences, and for the development of programs and education in response to the specific needs of corporate in-house counsel. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Insolvency Law* | Provides a forum for exchange of ideas and experience for lawyers who deal with insolvency related matters in the course of a general commercial or litigation practice. 2023/24 Programs: 0 |
| Insurance Law* | Concerned with law which applies to the insurance contract and regulates the rights and responsibilities of the parties to a contract of insurance. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Intellectual Property & Technology Law* | Deals with legal issues effecting intellectual property and the technology industry. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Internationally Trained Lawyers* | Connects and supports lawyers who are in the process of or have completed the National Committee on Accreditation Certificate of Qualification to practice law in Canada. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Judges - National | There is no BC chapter of this Section Provides all federally and provincially appointed judges with opportunities to exchange information and ideas. |
| Labour Law* | Addresses law governing the employer/employee relationship including the establishment of employment standards, trade union organization, and the principles and practice relating to the negotiation and enforcement of collective agreements, and the arbitration and settlement of labour disputes. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Law Students - National | There is no BC chapter of this Section Members work together to exchange ideas, raise awareness of student related issues and to advance the interests of law school and articling students in Canada. |
| Legal Research | Improves research skills, discusses interesting law developments and exchanges ideas and information regarding the concept of research as a specialty area of practice. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Maritime Law* | Deals with domestic and international law which regulate the use of domestic and international waterways and the operation of commercial and pleasure vessels and provide the procedures for the enforcement of the rights and obligations of the owners of vessels, passengers and cargo owners. 2023/24 Programs: 8 |
| Municipal Law* | Addresses law which establishes the form and powers of municipal government and regulates the manner in which such powers are exercised. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Natural Resources Law* | Deals with legal issues affecting the natural resource industries. 2023/24 Programs: 0 |
| Pensions & Benefits Law* | Promotes information exchange and development of pension and employee benefits law. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Public Sector Lawyers* | Promotes the interests of lawyers employed in the government and public sectors. Provides programs to lawyers not in private practice, such as unionization, self insurance, freedom of information requests and other issues of common concern to those employed by crown corporations, societies, government and funded agencies. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Real Property* | Concerned with law that establishes and regulates the rights and obligations of the owner, mortgagee, landlord and tenant in the use and disposition of land and interests in land, and which provides the facilities for the public recording of ownership of interests in land. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Securities Law | Focuses on capital markets and security related issues; deals with the role of securities regulation in B.C. and in general, and the growth of participants in the financial marketplace. 2023/24 Programs: 6 |
| Sexual and Gender Diversity Alliance (SAGDA)* | Works to address the needs and concerns of members with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics. 2023/24 Programs: 7 |
| Senior Counsel | Welcomes practicing, non-practicing, retired lawyers and academics from all areas of law who have 25+ years of legal experience. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Social Justice | Welcomes those interested in helping marginalized clients to participate in the justice system and in society generally. Focusses on practice skills, law reform, substantive legal training and networking. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Taxation Law* | Addresses law which imposes tax and which establishes and enforces the manner in which taxation statutes are administered and enforced. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Unbundled Legal Services | Provides a forum for professional development, education, networking, peer support, information exchange and discussion regarding the effective provision of unbundled legal services; also called "limited scope" legal services in B.C. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Wills & Trusts - Okanagan* | Concerned with all aspects of succession law and practice, including wills, probate and administration, estate planning and more. 2023/24 Programs: 3 |
| Wills & Trusts - Vancouver* | Concerned with all aspects of succession law and practice, including wills, probate and administration, estate planning and more. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Wills & Trusts - Victoria* | Concerned with all aspects of succession law and practice, including wills, probate and administration, estate planning and more. 2023/24 Programs: 2 |
| Women Lawyers Forum - B.C.* | Addresses the need for long term programs, plans and systems to achieve the broad mandate of promoting and supporting the enhancement of the stature and influence of women in the legal profession. 2023/24 Programs: 6 |
| Women Lawyers Forum - Kamloops* | Addresses the need for long term programs, plans and systems to achieve the broad mandate of promoting and supporting the enhancement of the stature and influence of women in the legal profession. 2023/24 Programs: 4 |
| Women Lawyers Forum - Vancouver Island* | Addresses the need for long term programs, plans and systems to achieve the broad mandate of promoting and supporting the enhancement of the stature and influence of women in the legal profession. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Workplace Investigations | Improves the quality of workplace investigations by providing opportunities to learn and discuss changes in relevant legislation, case law updates and best practices. 2023/24 Programs: 5 |
| Young Lawyers - Lower Mainland* | Provides opportunities for networking and professional development for law students, articling students and lawyers who have been in practice for less than 10 years. 2023/24 Programs: 10 |
| Young Lawyers - Okanagan* | Provides opportunities for networking and professional development for law students, articling students and lawyers who have been in practice for less than 10 years. 2023/24 Programs: 7 |
| Young Lawyers - Victoria* | Provides opportunities for networking and professional development for law students, articling students and lawyers who have been in practice for less than 10 years. 2023/24 Programs: 13 |