BC: LTSA Temporarily Allows Remote Witnessing of Affidavits

The Director of Land Titles has issued Practice Bulletin 01-20: Process for Remote Witnessing of Affidavits for use in Land Title Applications, in effect immediately to provide direction about remote witnessing of affidavits in support of land title applications (including section 49) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This practice direction enables only BC lawyers and notaries who represent the parties to a property transaction to remotely witness affidavits. Lawyers and notaries who choose to remotely witness affidavits must first review the Law Society of British Columbia’s (LSBC) directions on best practices for using video-conferencing when providing legal advice or services, and must incorporate a statement in the jurat of the affidavit confirming this process was used and the best practices were followed.

This LTSA bulletin also provides an update on the Preferred Forms of Affidavits.