About our Lawyers - Jamie Bleay

(604) 801-6029
jbleay@accesslaw.ca

Since being called to the bar in 1987, Jamie has practiced extensively in the area of condominium/strata law. He has worked with and acted for several hundred strata corporations in that time. He has worked closely with strata councils in dealing with a range of services from corporate governance matter, financial matters, property management matters and litigation matters. He has also worked for countless strata lot owners who have required his expertise in dealing with their duties and obligations, as owners, and their ongoing relationship with their strata councils.

Jamie has the legal knowledge and expertise to assist strata corporations and strata lot owners with a wide variety of issues including the resolution of disputes through mediation, arbitration, or legal proceedings, bylaw drafting and bylaw enforcement, strata council governance and management, collection of maintenance assessments and special levies, water penetration problems and advice regarding the application and interpretation of the Strata Property Act and its regulations.

Jamie also has experience in representing corporate and individual clients in matters involving contract disputes, including collection matters, and has represented numerous financial lending institutions with respect to enforcement of mortgages and other security interests.

Areas of Practice

Condominium/strata law
Creditor’s Remedies
Arbitration and mediation services
Foreclosure law
Civil litigation

Selected Experience

Successfully acted for a strata corporation and its management company to defend a negligence claim involving the disclosure of information in connection with a defective building envelope.
Successfully acted for a strata corporation in an arbitration to have an owner remove windows which were installed without the permission of the strata corporation.
Successfully acted for an owner in Court to compel a strata corporation to comply with its repair and maintenance obligations.
Successfully acted for a strata corporation in the British Columbia Court of Appeal regarding a dispute between an owner and the strata corporation with respect to the right to common property parking spaces.
Acted as arbitrator on disputes between strata lot owners and strata corporations involving bylaw enforcement and common property use.
Acted as legal counsel for several Court appointed Administrators under the Condominium Act and the Strata Property Act.
Acted for strata corporations in reviewing and drafting bylaws and rules pursuant to the provisions of the Strata Property Act.
Acting as mediator to successfully resolve a dispute between commercial and residential strata lot owners regarding separate section bylaws.
Successfully enforced an arbitration award in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
Successfully utilized the Judicial Review Procedure Act to set aside an arbitration award against a strata corporation.

Education

University of Victoria, B.A. 1982
L.L.B., University of British Columbia Law School 1986
Called to B.C. Bar, 1987

Professional & Other Associations

Contributing author for various condominium/strata publications, books and newsletters.
Guest speaker at numerous condominium/strata-based seminars, including those sponsored by the Home Owner Protection Office, BUILDEX and the Canadian Condominium Institute.
Member of the British Columbia Real Estate and Construction Litigation sub-sections.
Past President and Former Chairperson of the Canadian Condominium Institute and President of the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute.
Member of Condominium Home Owner’s Association

Other Associations and Interests

Past president and past director of the North Shore Winter Club Marlin’s summer swim club
Former director of the North Shore Winter Club
Member of the Seymour Golf & Country Club in North Vancouver
Contributor and supporter of Access Justice

Personal

Outside of his practice, Jamie spends his spare time relaxing by playing squash, golf and tennis. Together with his wife, Carey, he spends considerable time with his two children, Carly and Samuel, whether as taxi driver, sports fan or homework helper!

Testimonials

"My Real Estate Investment Firm has engaged Jamie for several years to conduct litigation on our behalf in several "Breach of Contract" cases. We have always found Jamie to be pleasant, accommodating and diligent in follow-through on correspondence and commitments. We have also observed that he has pursued the opposition with diligence and persistence. His fees have been billed at his quoted rate. We have also found him easy to do business with, for he returns telephone calls promptly, when he is unable to answer them directly."

Sincerely, D J Estates Ltd. - Per Don W. Low, Secretary

"As a property manager I do my best to address each and every property management issue that comes my way! However, whenever clients start asking me to play "lawyer" I quickly tell them that it’s not my role and that they should retain legal counsel instead. Jamie is a lawyer who I recommend frequently to my clients. I have known Jamie for more than 15 years and in that time have found that he is reliable, efficient and quickly able to provide the kind of professional advice that my clients require. He is also someone who is happy to answer my "what if" questions without sending an invoice along for his time and trouble. I initially met Jamie in his professional capacity but over the years he has also become a friend. I have the highest praise for him as a lawyer and as a friend and would not hesitate in referring him to any of my clients should the need arise."

Jim Allison - Assertive Property Management & Real Estate Services Inc.

"For over 14 years, I have had the pleasure of working with Jamie Bleay. Jamie is one of the few condominium lawyers my strata council clients have used for Demand Letters to owners in serious arrears, assisting with Small Claims Court Actions, and representing them in court cases. Matters directed to Jamie are dealt with in a very timely fashion. Our office always offers choice of qualified lawyers to strata corporation clients. To date, I have received positive feedback to Jamie's professionalism and acting in the best interest of his client."

Nizam Dossa - Managing Broker, Northwest Strata Management Ltd.