A Letter From The President

The Law Courts Inn – Vancouver’s Great Spot for Breakfast & lunch

As part of a drive to increase the membership of the Law Courts Inn we have reduced the annual fee for regular members from $225 to $100 (including HST).  We have also abolished the corporate membership class but have offered group discounts to firms applying for a group of memberships as follows:

From 5 to 10 firm members – 10% off

From 11 to 20 firm members – 20% off

Over 20 firm members – 30% off

We appreciate your continued support and loyalty to the Inn and we hope that you will continue to participate as a member of the Inn for the coming year.

The Inn exists to enhance the conviviality and culture of the BC legal profession by providing a “home” with a club atmosphere where members of the bench and bar can meet, mingle and discuss matters of common interest.  It provides restaurant facilities conveniently located in the Vancouver court house for lunch on weekdays and functions at any time.  The Inn relies on membership dues for its operating expenses, and so we ask that you assist us and the profession by continuing your membership.

As you know, the success of the Inn can be attributed largely to the continued support of our members and the dedication of our management team, Carmela Guarascio and Chef, Toon Tan.  The staff along with management works to create a professional and welcoming environment for both the restaurant and banquet facilities at the Inn.

It is important to us that we provide our members with value.  At this time, we would like to remind you of your benefits as a member, so as to ensure that you take full advantage of your membership privileges:

• Six (6) complimentary lunch coupons (valued at $11 each)
• Reduced prices on the menu on the private dining side
• Discounted room rental for private events
• Signing privileges with monthly invoicing
• Customized menus for group events
• Early invitations to free or further discounted special events and entertainment during the year, such as the recent “Lunching with Leaders” event.

Should you wish to provide any feedback, I would be pleased to hear from you. In the meantime, we thank you again for your continued support.

Yours truly,

Anne Bhanu Chopra

President

The Law Courts Inn

History and Purpose of the Law Courts Inn: “The Barristers’ Home”

The origins of the Law Courts Inn go back to about 1972 when a group of lawyers founded the Lawyers Inn on the second floor of a building at Hornsby & Dunsmuir.  When the present Law Courts building was in the planning stage Chief Justice Nemetz - always a staunch supporter of the Inn - saw to it that a suitable space was allocated in the new building for the Inn.  The result is an exceptional gathering place for the bench and bar that has no counterpart in any other jurisdiction in Canada.

The tradition of the “Inn” arose in England where for centuries every barrister has been required to be a member of one of the four Inns of Court clustered around the Law Courts in London.  Barristers and bar students meet in the Inn for lunches and dinners.  Call ceremonies and special events in the life of the profession are held there.  It is the Inn – the barrister’s home – where the culture of the bar is passed on from one generation of barristers to the next.