14 Candidates put their names forward for the 2025 Bencher By-election. An election was held on June 11, 2025 for two openings in the City of Winnipeg Electoral District. Voting took place between May 21 and June 10. To learn more, see the results of the 2025 Bencher By-election.
For questions about the electoral process, please contact Rennie Stonyk at rstonyk@lawsociety.mb.ca.
Who Qualifies to Run as a Candidate?
A candidate for election as a Bencher must:
- Be a practising lawyer on the 1st Monday in March of the election year, and have their name on the voters’ list
- Maintain their principal office in the district in which they seeks to be a candidate;
- Consent in writing to the nomination;
- Be nominated in accordance with the process set out in Division 2 of Part 2 of the Law Society Rules
- Not be a Life Bencher or an Ex-Officio Bencher; and
Governing Legislation
Sections 5 through 10 of The Legal Profession Act and Division 2 of Part 2 of the Law Society Rules govern the election of Benchers. The Law Society Vice-President decides questions about the eligibility of any candidate and the validity of any nomination or vote cast.
Bencher Positions
Elected Positions
Elections for 12 bencher positions are held every second year. To be eligible as a candidate for election, a member of the society must be a practising lawyer on the 1st Monday in March of the election year, maintain a principal office in the district in which they seeks to be a candidate and must be nominated in accordance with the rules.
Appointed Positions
During the bencher election process, a call for applications for the appointed bencher positions will be made to both the profession and the public. The appointment process ensures that applicants with unique skill sets and abilities and from diverse backgrounds are eligible for appointment.
Practising Lawyer Benchers
Four lawyers are appointed, to serve for a two year term. At least one of the lawyers must be from the Winnipeg District and one must be from outside of Winnipeg.
Lay Benchers
Six public representatives are appointed for a two year term in each election year by a Committee chaired by the Chief Justice of the Province of Manitoba.
