The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has amended its Model Code of Conduct relating to discrimination, harassment and ex parte communication. These amendments are in line with amendments made by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to its Model Code of Conduct. This is part of a wider move to harmonise, as much as possible,…
Study published into the wellness of Canadian legal professionals
The National Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada has been published. The research was undertaken by a research team at the Université de Sherbrooke led by Dr. Nathalie Cadieux, with funding from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada and the Canadian Bar Association. The report attempts to fill a knowledge…
The Law Society of Ontario opens its paralegal insurance portlet
The Law Society of Ontario has launched a new insurance portal for paralegals, the new portlet is now live. Licensees can access the portlet through their portal account. This new online self-serve tool allows paralegals to review and update their insurance information quickly and easily, identify as “exempt” under By-Law 6 or indicate that they work under the…
The Law Society of Ontario seeks feedback on how to support legal professionals with succession planning
The Law Society of Ontario’s Professional Regulation Committee has launched a consultation process to obtain feedback on a recommendation from the Trustee Services Working Group to implement a mandatory succession planning requirement for licensees in private practice. The proposed plan includes the development of mandatory succession planning criteria, the creation of supports and resources to…
The Law Society of Ontario, Canada, launches initiatives to improve the career-long professional development of lawyers and paralegals
The Law Society of Ontario, Canada, has launched a number of new initiatives to improve the career-long professional development of lawyers and paralegals. The Law Society’s Board of Directors approved the new competency framework after a consultation period The new Competency Framework includes the creation of a practice essentials course which will be mandatory for…
The Law Society of Alberta, Canada, outlines new Professional Development Profile for lawyers
The Law Society of Alberta has published a new Professional Development Profile as part of an overhaul of the system of Continuing Professional Development in the province. In 2020, the Benchers of the Law Society of Alberta set out to enhance its approach to continuing professional development (CPD). One key goal is to make the…
The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education is engaging with stakeholders to identify potential skill gaps in those recently called to the bar.
The Canadian Centre for Professional Legal Education (CPLED) is attempting to enhance and evolve the Practice Readiness Education Program (PREP) so as to be recognized as a “best-in-class” Bar admission program. To achieve this, CPLED is engaging with key stakeholders to gather information on potential skill gaps in lawyers who have been called to the Bar in the last…
The Canadian Bar Association has released a report into gender pay equity in the legal market
The Canadian Bar Association has released Pay Equity in the Legal Profession, a report outlining the results of a roundtable held by the CBA Women Lawyers Forum in 2021. The goal of the roundtable was to gather qualitative data on Canadian lawyers’ experiences, perceptions, and opinions about gender and pay equity in the profession. The…
Canadian Government passes new regulations in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine
New regulations brought in by the Canadian government have seen individuals and entities have their assets frozen and further dealings prohibited in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Lawyers in Alberta have a regulatory obligation to comply with these and to not assist anyone in conducting illegal activities, including future dealings with prohibited Russian entities…
Law Society of Ontario cancels licensing examinations to protect public interest
The Law Society of Ontario has cancelled its licensing examinations to protect the public interest and the integrity of the examination process. This comes in the wake of information that suggests a number of examinees had improper access to examination material. This decision affects approximately 1100 candidates who were set to write online examinations, beginning…