Most professionals are required to abide by laws, regulations and rules affecting their practice.
As a professional, you rely on your reputation to sustain the career you’ve built. Administrative law issues such as certification problems, complaints or investigations can put that reputation in peril, impeding work and affecting your livelihood
Professionals often grapple with serious ethical issues – issues that can become problems that threaten their reputations, security and practices. We have helped clients with almost every type of regulatory issue.
We defend individuals and work with liability insurers, professional associations and organizations to determine the best options.
Harper Grey has, for many years, been the recognized leader in the defence of professionals facing liability issues. We act for doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects and engineers. We also provide administrative law advice for professionals facing disciplinary action.
Public scrutiny over ethical issues for professionals has increased dramatically over the past several years. We provide advice and assistance to professionals in their dealings with governance issues, ethical obligations and responsibilities, and represent them before a wide range of regulatory bodies.
Did you know that Harper Grey publishes the Canadian Administrative Law Blog? Stay current with new case law and emerging issues – read more here.
Services
- Providing advice regarding investigations and inquiries by administrative authorities.
- Advocating for clients before administrative tribunals such as the Health Professions Review Board.
- Representing clients in Judicial Review matters.
- Appealing the decisions of administrative bodies.
- Advising professional organizations regarding liability insurance programs, communication to members and responses to new rules and regulations.
- Constitutional and Charter challenges.
- Defamation, libel, slander and breach of trust matters.
- Advising clients regarding billing audits by the Medical Services Commission, insurance companies and other organizations.
- Human rights complaints and representation before the Human Rights Tribunal.
- Privacy and matters relating to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
- Helping clients with issues relating to government and public bodies.
- Professional errors and omissions insurance claims.
- Workers Compensation Board issues.
- Reinstatement of professional practice applications.
Typical Situations
- A pharmacist is under investigation after she fills a script incorrectly, causing a patient to experience heart palpitations and a visit to the emergency room.
- The College of Dental Surgeons audits the billing practices of a dental clinic and finds out that the office manager has misappropriated funds.
- A teacher transferring from another province is denied a Certificate of Qualification. He applies for Judicial Review of the decision.
Select Cases
- Representing professionals before their governing body in disciplinary matters, including allegations of negligence, sexual misconduct, improper prescribing of medication, breach of confidentiality and incompetence.
- Acting as counsel in many court decisions related to the scope of judicial review and appeals from administrative tribunals such as the Health Professions Review Board.
- Appealing disciplinary decisions including matters considered by the Supreme Court of Canada, such as Dr. Q. v. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia .
- Providing policy advice to professionals and organizations on matters including privacy legislation, the scope of and proposed amendments to the Health Professions Act, the role of mediation in professional regulation, the drafting of by-laws and ethical standards.
- Representing health care professionals in disputes with the Medical Services Commission related to billing audits and the recovery of alleged over-payments to health professions.
- Representing clients in wildlife management matters involving the Environmental Appeal Board.
- Representing clients in disputes involving forest practice matters.
- Representing broker dealers, registered representatives and traders in investigations and disciplinary hearings by securities regulatory authorities including the BC Securities Commission, the Investment Dealers Association and the Mutual Fund Dealers Association.
News & Knowledge
Resources
People
Lawyers
Paralegals
