Builders Liens Update 2026

Course Chairs
Dirk Laudan — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
David McKenzie — Jenkins Marzban Logan LLP, Vancouver

About the Course Chairs
Dirk Laudan has practiced in the area of construction law and builders liens for many years. He is the co-author of the textbook Guide to Builders Liens in BC (Carswell), and is on the editorial board of, and a contributor to, the CLEBC publication BC Builders Liens Practice Manual. Dirk also served on the BC Law Institute's Builders Lien Reform Project, whose report provides a blueprint for updating construction lien legislation in this province. He is recognized in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for construction law, Best Lawyer in Canada for construction law, the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure, and Doyle's Guide – Leading Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure Lawyer – BC. He is rated "Distinguished" by Martindale-Hubbell. He is the author of numerous legal articles and publications.

Dirk was called to the BC bar in 1997, and is also a member of the Saskatchewan bar. His practice includes surety claims, construction disputes, insurance coverage issues, home warranty claims, government relations regulation, political law, and defamation.

David McKenzies's practice is focused primarily in the area of construction law. His clients include developers, general contractors, subtrades, and suppliers. David acts as legal counsel in all aspects of the construction industry, from litigating and advising on tender, builders' lien and contract disputes to construction-related solicitor work, including construction contracts, tender packages, and easement agreements.

David is the current chair of the BC Builders Lien Act reform committee and he is a contributing author and member of the editorial board for the BC Builders Liens Practice Manual. He is listed by Lexpert as a repeatedly recommended construction lawyer in BC.

Faculty
David Curtis — Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
Krista M. Johanson — Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Vancouver
Mia Laity — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
Seema Lal — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver
J. Marc MacEwing — Clyde & Co. Canada LLP, Vancouver
Scott Marescaux — MLT Aikins LLP, Vancouver
Christopher J. Moore — McLean & Armstrong LLP, West Vancouver
Christopher Schuld — Eyford Partners LLP, Vancouver
Stephanie Streat — Synthesis Legal, Port Moody

Course Materials Contributors
Reshmin Randhawa — Synthesis Legal, Port Moody
Craig Rowan — Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver

Click here for full faculty bios

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BC Builders Liens Practice Manual

Practical solutions to your builders lien problems and questions

This publication is essential for: lawyers needing practical guidance on BC builders lien issues

Current to: April 1, 2025

Builders liens issues arise frequently in construction and real estate practices and you need to have speedy answers for your clients. The British Columbia Builders Liens Practice Manual guides you through practical issues that frequently arise under the Builders Lien Act, covering the entire process from how to file a claim of lien all the way to enforcing a lien. With each topic, you receive guidance, relevant sections of the Act, case law, and templates to help you address the specific lien issue that your client is facing.

With this resource, you will be able to:

• understand the nature of the lienable interest, the builders lien trust, and lien priorities
  
• quickly determine the procedures and time limits for filing, enforcing, or discharging your client's lien
  
• avoid common builders lien mistakes leading to solicitor's liability

Buy today and build your confidence on builders liens matters! View a sample from this book!

Highlights of the 2025 Update include:

• payments to contractor after owner had notice of subcontractor's lien not reducing "amount owing" in payment into court to clear title (BCSC)
• refined test for dismissal of action for want of prosecution (BCCA)
• effect of posting security for a lien against the holdback (BCCA)
• contractual and court-ordered interest on lien claims (BCCA)
• abuse of process in trade's claim of lien including amounts not supported by evidence (BCCA)

• recent caselaw on posting security and holdbacks
• Metro-Can Construction case
• JDV v. Skookum and the rejection of "single integrated development" theory

• Lonsdale v. Klondike
• ss. 23 and 34 of the Builders Liens Act

• builders liens and reserve and Indigenous land

• significant changes
• anticipated regulations
• other jurisdictions
• adjudication
• potential issue areas

• other than prompt payment
• the possible demise of Shimco
• contents of the BCLI report

• triggers for running of time
• substantial completion and certification of contracts
• problems of certification
• release of holdback 

• brief overview of Alberta builders' lien time regime

• difference between BIA, CCAA, and receivership
• priorities and insolvency
• Ontario Lien Regularization Orders and similar things

• LIF current issues
• ethics and law practice management issues