Lyle was the author of Discovery Practice in British Columbia (Vancouver, CLEBC) first published in 1999, 2nd edition, 2004. He is now co-author of the annual updates along with Jennifer Brun. This manual is the established practice manual for lawyers in British Columbia.

Biography

Lyle G. Harris, K.C. was called to the Bar in British Columbia in 1976. He has been practicing continuously for over 40 years since that time. Lyle has conducted over 100 civil trials and appeals, including a number of jury trials, in the British Columbia Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

Lyle’s trial and appellate experience includes motor vehicle, other personal injury, insurance, and occupiers’ liability claims for plaintiffs, insured defendants, and insurance companies.

Lyle was the initial author of, Discovery Practice in British Columbia, which was initially published by Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia (“CLEBC”) in 2009. He is now co-author of the annual updates of the manual along with Jennifer Brun.

Lyle has chaired or presented at numerous continuing legal education courses and presentations for the Canadian Bar Association, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, and CLEBC.  In 2016, he was recognized by CLEBC as one of its 16 most prolific contributors of the past 20 years, with more than 50 contributions. In 2015 and 2016, he was recognized by Best Lawyers© by his peers as among the best lawyers in British Columbia, and in 2016, in Canada. Also in 2016, he was recognized as a “top lawyer” by the Global Directory of Who’s Who.

From 2000 to 2001, Lyle was compensation counsel for Thomas Sophonow in the Manitoba Commission of Inquiry before Peter deCarteret Cory, C.C., Q.C. (retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada) into Mr. Sophonow’s 1982 wrongful murder conviction. The inquiry ultimately recommended compensation for Mr. Sophonow in the amount of $2.66 million.

Lyle is very experienced in excess insurance cases, which involves providing independent legal advice to insured individuals when their assets are potentially at risk. Lyle has performed approximately 15 to 20 mediations in personal injury and insurance matters, and has served as an arbitrator.

Lyle has prepared a number of expert opinions in matters concerning lawyers’ negligence for both plaintiffs and defendants, and has been accepted as an expert witness by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. He has also been accepted in the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench as an expert on the application of British Columbia law.

When not practicing law, Lyle is mentoring young lawyers, playing golf, working out in the gym, or writing poetry. He is also the food-bank coordinator for his local Church.

Education:

  • B.A. (English Honours), University of British Columbia, 1972
  • LL.B. University of British Columbia, 1975

* LG Harris Holdings Inc.


Reported (and Unreported) Cases*:

Click on the underlined case names for the full text of some of Lyle’s notable and recent cases.

In addition, Lyle was compensation counsel for Thomas Sophonow in the Manitoba Commission of Inquiry before Peter de C. Cory (retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada) into Mr. Sophonow’s wrongful conviction for murder in the Province of Manitoba in 1982 (“The Sophonow Inquiry”). The findings of the inquiry resulted in a recommendation for compensation for Mr. Sophonow in the amount of $2.66 million dollars.

Click HERE for the full text of The Sophonow Inquiry.

*References to successful case results where the lawyers at Harris & Brun have acted for clients are not a guarantee of future results. The outcome of every legal proceeding will vary according to the facts in each individual case.

Lectures / Publications / Seminars:

Lyle is the author of Discovery Practice in British Columbia (Vancouver, CLEBC) first published in 1999, 2nd edition, 2004, and updated annually. This manual is the established practice manual for lawyers in British Columbia and has just been updated to take into account the re-drafting of the Supreme Court Civil Rules.

January 20, 2010, Lyle  Co-chaired Discovery 2010: Master the facts and take charge at trial! This comprehensive one-day CLEBC course focused on the core elements of discovery practice, from initial preparation, through planning, to the conduct of discovery. Featuring a series of video vignettes to demonstrate the best and worst practices found in the conduct of discovery, this practice focused program combined substantive law with practical tips and pointers from a veteran faculty.

Lyle has been a chair-person and panelist on over twenty courses sponsored by Continuing Education Society of British Columbia, Trial Lawyers’ Association of British Columbia, Canadian Defence Lawyers and other legal organizations, on topics including discovery practice, strategies and tactics in jury trials and the new Civil Rules. Lyle enjoys writing articles on topics of interest in his field of study and practice, including “Decline of Professional Courtesy: ‘Us’ v. ‘Them’” (The Verdict, March 2009).

Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia:

  • Discovery Practice 2016 CLEBC, Master the discovery process and take charge of the facts at trial! – 03/09/2016, Vancouver – Course Co-Chair
  • Discovery Practice 2010 – 1/21/2010 – Course Chair
  • Discovery Practice 2008 – 11/6/2008 – Course Chair
  • Personal Injury Conference 2007 – 6/22/2007 – Course Presenter
  • Discovery Practice 2007 – 6/7/2007 – Course Chair
  • Defending Personal Injury 2006 – 3/10/2006 – Course Chair
  • Discovery Practice in BC – 3/26/2004 – Course Chair
  • Discovery Practice in BC – 3/26/2004 – Course Chair
  • Defending Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases -11/20/2003 – Course Presenter
  • Personal Injury Conference – 5/10/2002 – Course Presenter
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2001 update – 12/1/2000 – Editorial Board
  • Discovery in British Columbia – 6/4/1999 – Course Presenter

Seminars and Presentations

  • Discovery Practice 2016 CLEBC, Master the discovery process and take charge of the facts at trial! Course co-chair with Lyle G. Harris, Q.C., March 9, 2016, Vancouver.

Publications

  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2010 Update – 1/28/2010 – Book Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2009 Update -1/21/2009  – Book Author
  • Civil Jury Instructions – 2008 Update – 1/28/2008 – Book Author
  • Civil Litigation Conference – 2007 – 11/22/2007 – Course Materials Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2007 Update -1/1/2007 – Author
  • Defending Personal Injury – 3/10/2006 – Course Materials Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2006 Update – 12/31/2005 – Book Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2005 Update – 2/22/2005 – Book Author
  • Defending Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Cases – 11/20/2003 – Course Materials Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2003 update – 2/28/2003 – Book Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2nd Edition – 2/25/2003 – Book Author
  • BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims – 2003 update – 12/31/2002 – Author
  • Personal Injury Conference – 2002 – 5/10/2002 – Course Materials Author
  • BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims – 2002 update – 4/11/2002 – Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2002 update – 3/19/2002 – Book Author
  • BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims – 2001 update – 4/10/2001 – Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2001 update – 12/1/2000 – Book Author
  • BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims – 2001 update – 12/1/2000 – Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – 2000 update – 3/23/2000 – Book Author
  • BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims – 2nd edition – 12/31/1999 – Author
  • BC Motor Vehicle Accident Claims – 99 update – 5/31/1999  – Author
  • Discovery Practice in British Columbia – consol 5/31/1999 – Book Author
  • Psychological Injury – 1/26/1995 – Course Materials Author

Community Involvement:

  • Chair, Canadian Bar Association (National), Working Group on No-Fault Compensation
  • Seventeen years soccer coach and current holder of National Coaching Academy Level 3 (Technical) certification