The eighth annual Access to Justice Week (A2J Week) in Ontario, held from October 23 to 27, marked the “10th anniversary of Canada’s Justice Development Goals.” The event showcased over 30 virtual and in-person programs, attracting more than 3000 participants nationwide. Focused on reviewing a decade of progress and setting goals for the future, the…
Law Society of Ontario notifies profession on amendments to the Mandatory Disclosure Rules
The Law Society of Ontario has notified members about amendments to the mandatory disclosure rules in the Income Tax Act (ITA) by the federal government in the Budget Implementation Act 2023. The changes expand the existing reportable transactions regime significantly, including broadening the definition of reportable “avoidance transactions” and reducing the number of hallmarks required…
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 Regulation of Paralegals in Ontario: Increased Access to Justice?
The legal profession throughout most of Canada enjoys the privilege of self-regulation and a (purported) monopoly over legal practice. In Ontario, the Law Society must regulate so as to facilitate access to justice and protect the public interest. Critics argue that self-regulation is anti-competitive it allows the profession to control the market for legal services,…
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…
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…
Law Society of Ontario launches contingency fee reforms
On the 1st July 2021, the Law Society of Ontario launched new requirements regarding contingency fees. The new rules are designed to enhance transparency and fairness for clients, improving consumer protection and access to justice. As well as this the hope is that the changes will assist legal practitioners with client communication, reducing their administrative…
Canada launches national wellbeing study of legal professionals
A partnership of the different Canadian law societies, the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, the Canadian Bar Association and the Université de Sherbrooke is coming together for a first-of-its-kind national study on the well-being of legal professionals. The study is based on the fact that legal practitioners are amongst the grouping of professionals most…
Law Society of Ontario approves new regulatory sandbox
On April 22, 2021, the Convocation of the Law Society of Ontario approved the Technology Task Force’s “Regulatory Sandbox for Innovative Technological Legal Services” Report. As a result, a five-year pilot project will be launched in Q4 of 2021. In the pilot approved participants will be granted express permission by the Law Society to serve…