The Benchers (a term that originated in England) are the board of directors of the Law Society of Alberta. Law societies across Canada each have their own Benchers that make up their board of directors. In Alberta, there are 24 benchers who are responsible, as directors of the Law Society and under the Legal Profession Act, for regulating the practice of law in our province. Of the 24 benchers, 20 are lawyers (Benchers) who are elected by Law Society members, and 4 are public representatives (Lay Benchers) who are appointed by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Lay Benchers have all the same rights and responsibilities of the elected Benchers but are not permitted to act as President of the Law Society. Benchers serve as volunteers and are elected for a 3-year term with a term limit of 9 years. Lay Benchers are appointed for a 3-year term.
There are two key responsibilities accorded to Benchers: governance and adjudication. In terms of governance, the Benchers set the policies of the Law Society and update the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta and the Code of Professional Conduct to ensure they are in alignment with these policies. With respect to adjudication, the Benchers sit on a number of panels that hear complaints and other matters relating to lawyer conduct, including disciplinary hearings and applications for reinstatement.
