Trinity Western law school decision appealed by Law Society of B.C.

The B.C. Law Society is appealing last month's court decision in the ongoing battle over whether graduates from Trinity Western University's proposed law school will be accredited something the law society opposes because of the school's stance on gay marriage.

At the heart of the controversy is TrinityWestern's insistence that students must sign a Christian covenant that states sexual relations are to be confined within the bounds of a marriage between a man and a woman.

In Oct. 2014, the Law Society held a referendum, and members voted that graduates from TWU's proposed law school would not be recognized.

The referendum overturned an earlier decision by the Benchers,the Law Society's board,whichwould have recognized TWU'sproposed law school.

Last month, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ordered the referendum results quashed, and the original Benchers' decision allowing accreditation to stand.

On Tuesday, the law society filed notice it wouldappeal, arguing the court erred in finding that proper procedures weren't followed during the referendum.

• Judge overturns B.C. Law Society vote not to recognize Trinity Western grads
• TWU to challenge rejection by Law Society of B.C. in court
• TWU reasons for judgement

"We respectfully maintain that it was proper for the Benchers to conclude that the voice of our members is important and we should be guided by that voice on this issue," said law society president David Crossin in a statement.

Charter rights in conflict

Crossin said the case raises important issues about two competing Charter rights: the equality rights of the LGBTQ community, and the university's position on religious freedom.

"The Law Society believes the interests of the public and our profession are best served by our appellate court addressing and resolving this fundamental constitutional issue," he said.

The law society has not yet filed detailed grounds for appeal, which it says itplans to do within 30 days.

In July of this year, an Ontario court upheld the Ontario law society'srefusal to accredit TWU law graduates, but in March, Nova Scotia's Supreme Court ruled that its province's law society could not deny accreditation to TWU law grads a decision thatis being appealed.