The British Columbia Supreme Court has handed the Law Society of British Columbia (LSBC) court orders against two people practicing law who are not authorized to do so, the LSBC announced April 19.
The first case involves a March 28 decision in Nanaimo, where the court prohibited from practicing law:
- Ralph Charles Goodwin, who is also known as Yuxweletun; and
- Gaia-Watts Enterprises Ltd., which does business as Touchstone Committee and Touchstone Committee Law Institute.
The court injunction prohibits Goodwin, Gaia-Watts and Touchstone from giving legal advice, drafting legal documents and representing themselves as lawyers.
In the second case, Steven Serenas consented on April 12 to an order prohibiting him from practising law.
The consent order prohibits Serenas from drafting legal documents, giving legal advice or commencing, prosecuting or defending a proceeding in any court regardless of whether he does so for a fee.
Unauthorized practice of law is a violation of the Legal Profession Act.
To protect the public, the Law Society can take legal action against people who illegally offer legal services or misrepresent themselves as lawyers.
