The BC Paralegal Association (BCPA) is a volunteer run, not-for-profit organization of over 900+ paralegals, paralegal program students and law related organizations in BC. Originally known as the Western Association of Paralegals and BC Association of Legal Assistants, the BCPA was formed in 1979 to promote the professional development, continuing education and networking of paralegals in British Columbia.
The BCPA is an advocate to help paralegals get the most out of their profession. The Board of Directors represents paralegals across the province with regional directors in the Lower Mainland, Interior, Okanagan, and Vancouver Island. Members include paralegals working at law firms, in-house legal departments, government ministries, contractors working for lawyers, as well as students enrolled in paralegal programs, educational administrators and others.
The definition of a paralegal according to the BCPA Bylaws is as follows:
“Paralegal” means a person with education, training and knowledge of the substantive and procedural aspects of law, who is employed or retained by or for the purposes of working with a Member of the Law Society in a capacity or function which involves the performance of legal work, under the ultimate direction and guidance of a Member of the Law Society, or duties of specifically-delegated substantive legal work which requires sufficient knowledge of legal concepts that in the absence of the paralegal the Member of the Law Society would perform.
The BCPA thanks our many volunteers and supporters for making the continued success of our association possible.