Additional demand that will boost employment for lawyers can also be expected in immigration, intellectual property, entertainment, international law and the construction industry. There are also opportunities in labour law. However, there may be stagnation and possibly even decline in some sectors, such as insurance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, financial services and social law. Another trend is for contract lawyers, recruited through temporary placement agencies, to assist law firms with heavy short-term workloads. Even those lawyers who spend a large amount of their time in court can earn income from mediation, arbitration, conciliation, prevention and consulting.
Mediation is a new field that has opened up largely in response to legal costs and delays.
Mediation services have been provided previously by mediation consultants, but increasingly lawyers are providing this service. Writing ability and knowledge of other languages are advantageous skills for lawyers. Training in alternative methods of conflict resolution before administrative courts is also an important asset. Information presented in the BC Work Futures Occupational Profile for NOC 4112 was last updated November 1, 2000.