Oaths

Section 2-84 of the Law Society of British Columbia Rules requires any lawyer who is called to the Bar of British Columbia and admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court to take a barristers' and solicitors' oath in a form approved by the Benchers. The current form was adopted by the Benchers in April 1993 in response to a proposal to eliminate the requirement to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen. Click for a copy of the Benchers' minutes and the current Barristers' and Solicitors' Oath.

The oath that was used prior to April 1993 is contained in the Professional Conduct Handbook, 1988-1992 (p. 1).

Oaths of office for Parliament (Federal)

• The Swearing-In of a New Ministry
• Oath of Allegiance; Oath of Members of the Privy Council; Oath of Office
• Oaths of Office Regulations, C.R.C., c.1242
• Oaths of Allegiance Act, R.S.C. 1985, c.O-1

Oaths of office for Parliament (BC)

• Oath of Allegiance
• Oaths of Allegiance, Office and Confidentiality
• Oaths of Allegiance, Office and Revenue

Oaths of Office (Vancouver)

• Mayor of Vancouver
• Police Board

Commissioners for Oaths

• Canada Evidence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5, s. 13 - who can administer oaths
• Evidence Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 124, s. 56 - Appointment of commissioners for taking affidavits
• Evidence Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 124, s. 59 - Powers of commissioners
• Evidence Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 124, s. 60 - Commissioners because of office or employment

Public Service Oath

Judges Oath

• BC County Court
• BC Provincial Court
• BC Supreme Court
• BC Court of Appeal
• Supreme Court of Canada

Interpreters Oath

• Interpreter Oath
• Interpreters' Oath & Affirmation
• Interpreter Affirmation; Interpreter Oath - When Accused is Deaf/Mute
• Interpreter Affirmation - When Accused is Deaf/Mute; Interpreter Oath - Deaf Mute/Sign Language (alternate)
• Interpreter Affirmation - When Accused is Deaf Mute/Sign Language (alternate)

Stenographers' Oaths

Juror's Oaths (Canada)

• Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46, s 631(4)
  • the clerk will swear the jury and any other person providing support, but the nature of the oath to be sworn is not specified

  Juror's Oaths (BC)

  • Jury Act, RSBC 1996, c 242, s 18
    • the court must administer an oath
    • allows a juror to make a solemn affirmation or declaration rather than being sworn
    • allows for affirmations rather than religious oaths

    Witness' Oath

    • Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c C-5, s 14
      • making a solemn affirmation instead of an oath
      • permiting “the person to make a solemn affirmation in the words following, namely, “I, . do solemnly affirm, etc.”
      • anyone who makes an affirmation is liable to indictment and punishment for perjury in all respects.

      Witnesses may swear an oath on a book of faith that binds their conscience. When a witness wants to swear on a holy book other than the Bible, they should notify the lawyer that is calling them as a witness in order that arrangements can be made to have the book available. When a witness wants to swear a special oath, at least two weeks notice should be given to the Court Registry to ensure that the Court Clerk will be able to administer the oath. If no lawyer is involved and a witness wishes to bring their own holy book or swear a special oath, the Court Registry should be notified at least two weeks ahead of trial for arrangements to be made.

      Uncommon Oaths

      • Scottish Oath
      • Candle Oath; Saucer Oath
      • Chicken Oath
      • Paper Oath
      • Islamic/Muslim Oath; Buddhist Oath
      • Japanese Oath; Orthodox Jewish Oath
      • Hindu Oath
      • Quaker/Moravian Oath
      • Parsee Oath
      • Non-christian oaths ordered by religious affiliation (includes the Sikh and Doukhobor Oaths)
        
      References
      • Law Society Rules 2015 - 2-84 Barristers and solicitors’ roll and oath - Law Society of British Columbia
      • Professional Conduct Handbook, 1988 - 1992 - on-site at Courthouse Libraries
      • Canada Evidence Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-5 - Justice Laws
      • Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46 - Justice Laws
      • Evidence Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 124 - BC Laws
      • Jury Act, RSBC 1996, c 242 - BC Laws
      • "Affirmation/Oath Explained", in the Legal Support Staff Desk Reference, by K. Moore. Vancouver: Moore Publications, 1978-2006 - on-site at Courthouse Libraries
      • Report on Legislation for Appointing Commissioners for Taking Affidavits, by P. Sommerville. Ottawa: Canadian Bar Association, 1989 - on-site at Courthouse Libraries
      • Oaths and alternatives, past and present, in BC courts - Provincial Court of British Columbia