Legal Services during COVID-19 Pandemic

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Dear Clients and fellow legal professionals,

Given the measures being implemented by the government to address the rapid spread of the COVID-19 within Metro Vancouver, we are implementing the following measures in our office beginning March 18, 2020:

  1. Our office will remain open; however, lawyers and support staff will follow a reduced work and/or work-from-home protocol, leaving essential workforce in our premises.
  2. All communications, whether internal or with clients, will be, as much as possible, conducted remotely via electronic mail, teleconferencing, or videoconferencing.
  3. Notwithstanding the above, our services remain accessible, efficient, and functional. If any matter requires us to meet in person, please let us know in advance so we can prepare the necessary safety precautions and logistics in accordance with guidelines of the Ministry of Health and WorksafeBC.

As part of our efforts to comply with public health orders and recommendations for social distancing, we are currently implementing a protocol to ask clients, before they come to the office, to advise if:

(a)  they or a member of their household have a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, OR

(b)  they or a member of their household have travelled outside, or been in contact with, someone who has travelled outside of Canada and returned on or after March 12, 2020.

If the answer to either question is YES, we would prefer to delay meeting until the health issue has passed or the British Columbia Public Health Order mandatory 14-day self isolation period has passed since the travel or contact; unless, of course, we need to act urgently.

Rest assured, we remain on top of your cases or concerns, and are constantly monitoring press releases and issuances by various government agencies to understand how they impact legal services, government filings, business transactions, court proceedings, and other legal matters. 

We thank you for your kind consideration and we will update you as the situation warrants.

Cohen Buchan Edwards LLP Partners