Course Chairs
Dirk H. Laudan — Borden Ladner Gervais 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.
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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)