Legal document
A legal document is a written instrument that creates, records or evidences legal rights and obligations, such as a contract, deed, lease, will, power of attorney, resolution or court filing. Its effect depends on its content, proper signing and, in some cases, registration or filing.
How BC law treats it
In BC, some documents must meet formal requirements, such as the witnessing rules for wills under the Wills, Estates and Succession Act, SBC 2009 c 13, or registration of land interests under the Land Title Act, RSBC 1996 c 250. Many ordinary contracts have no formal requirements.
What it means for your business
A BC business should keep signed copies of its key documents in an organized record.
Risks and common mistakes
A document not properly signed, witnessed or registered may fail to give the protection the business expected.
Browse the full Fulcrum Law Dictionary for related terms.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
