The Law Society of Ontario has approved amendments expanding both the information that lawyers and paralegals must report to the regulator and the information that will appear in the public Lawyer and Paralegal Directory. The changes follow Convocation decisions taken in May and September 2025. The LSO says amendments to By-Law 8 expanding reporting requirements will take effect on 31 March 2026, while other transparency measures were approved in principle and remain subject to further implementation steps.
The additional reporting requirements include business names, licences held in other Canadian legal or regulated professions, related disciplinary information, and more comprehensive information about criminal and other charges and findings of guilt. The directory will also include additional information such as business names, licences to practise law in other Canadian jurisdictions and related disciplinary information, enhanced information about surrendered or revoked licences, notices of disciplinary proceedings, and Law Society Tribunal and Regulatory Meeting outcomes.
The Law Society presents disclosure as central to accountability, confidence and trust, and as important to helping the public choose legal representation on an informed basis.