Karen Bastow is an experienced criminal, extradition, civil litigation and civil forfeiture lawyer who has appeared at all Court levels in BC. Called to the British Columbia Bar in 1998, she has defended cases for people accused of murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking and production, aggravated assaults, sexual assaults, as well as property offences. Karen also practices family law with an experienced family law lawyer and specializes in cases where the client is the victim of false allegations made to gain a benefit in family law proceedings.
Karen has negotiated numerous favourable settlements for forfeited property and monies under both the Civil Forfeiture Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.
Karen’s case records can be found on the BC Supreme Court website under ‘reported cases’ by searching her name.
Karen works well with interpreters and takes on clients whose first language is not English.
While Karen is a trial lawyer, she works hard to get a good deal for her clients who have no chance of an acquittal at trial.
Fees are negotiable and the first consultation is always free.
Upon retaining Karen Bastow, clients will be given a 24-hour mobile number to reach her.
View the April 5th, 2023 Canadian Justice episode about home invasion cases and self-defence laws.
Recent Cases
2024
- In the context of acrimonious family law dispute, client charged criminally with historical sexual assaults between 2017 and 2023, an offence of sexual assault cause bodily harm with threats’ weapon/choking in 2021, uttering threats to cause death and bodily harm in 2023, and a sexual assault in 2023, after a lengthy trial, client found not guilty on all counts.
- Professional Discipline: Successful dismissal of a College investigation into medical professional after making submissions, providing witness statements and engaging in an interview with the College investigator.
2023
- Lawyer says contentious psychologist will ‘dispel the myth’ that B.C. nurse’s comments harm trans people.
- Immigration Appeal – won an appeal of a family sponsorship application denied on the basis that marriage was not genuine; marriage ruled to be genuine after submissions, argument and calling of witnesses by counsel.
- Sexual Assault – Accused charged with multiple years of anal rape of two complainants, acquittal on sexual assault charges with respect to both complainants
- Wills and Estates – 3.4 million dollar estate, challenge to the will by beneficiary, settled at mediation
- Wills and Estates – 2.4 million dollar estate, challenge to the will by beneficiary, settled between counsel
- Sexual assault and sexual touching of person under the age of 16 – acquittal at trial
- Crypto-currency fraud investigation – resolved without proceeding to charges
- Use of self-defense interview
2022
- Possession for the purposes of trafficking and trafficking, large quantity of fentanyl;, methamphetamine, cocaine – stay of proceedings prior to trial
- Possession for the purposes of trafficking and trafficking, large quantity of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine – 18 month sentence
- Action for criminal contempt in business litigation – ruling no criminal contempt