The Law Society of British Columbia was established in Victoria in 1869. In 1874 provincial legislation provided for the establishment of an Incorporated Law Society of British Columbia with certain regulatory powers. The contemporary Law Society dates from the proclamation of the Legal Professions Act, 1884, which, for the first time, gave the society full authority over the practice of law in the province. For much of its history the Law Society was the focal point of all professional legal activities, although the advent of other organizations, such as the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, led to a review of this situation. In 1969 a process of transferring a number of non-statutory responsibilities to the British Columbia Branch began. Since that time, the Law Society has focused its activities primarily on its responsibilities for admitting individuals into the profession, establishing professional standards, and disciplining members.