Oaths

Last revised May 14, 2020

Barristers' and solicitors' oath

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

• 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

• Stenographer Oath & Affirmation

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
• Jury Act, RSBC 1996, c 242, s 32
  • allows a juror to make a solemn affirmation or declaration rather than being sworn
• Evidence Act, RSBC 1996, c 124, s 20
  • 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
• Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c C-5, s 15(1)
  • permiting “the person to make a solemn affirmation in the words following, namely, “I, ......., do solemnly affirm, etc.”
• Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, c C-5, s 15(2) 
  • anyone who makes an affirmation is liable to indictment and punishment for perjury in all respects.
• Witness Oath
• Swearing Witnesses at Examinations for Discovery
• Witness Affirmation
• Reminder to witness re Oath/Affirmation

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)