British Columbia

Trinity Western University and B.C. Law Society face off in court

A B.C. Supreme Court judge will hear arguments this week about whether future graduates of a Christian university's law school should be able to practise in the province.

At issue is covenant students have to sign that rejects same-sex marriage

The B.C. Law Society initially accredited Trinity Western University's law program, but then reversed its position. (Trinity Western University)

A B.C. Supreme Court judge will hear arguments this week about whether future graduates of a Christian university's law school should be able to practise in the province.

At issue is the covenant Trinity Western University's law students must sign, which says marital sex can only happen between men and women. 

"It's not for everyone, but it is important for those who would like to attend such a school," said Earl Phillips, the law school's executive director.

Phillips said not allowing the accreditation of the program would be discriminatory against the school's students.

The B.C. Law Society initially accredited the program, but then reversed its position after members voted against accreditation. The judicial review is expected to last five days.

An Ontario court has already upheld the Ontario law society's refusal to accredit TWU graduates, while Nova Scotia's law society is appealing a court ruling that stopped it from denying accreditation to graduates.

The proposed law school has yet to open.

With files from Canadian Press