Dealing with The Law Society of Upper Canada
(Ontario)
Law Societies exist, not to protect consumers from lawyers, but to protect lawyers from consumers.
CanLaw knows that most lawyers are basically honest, hard working, solid citizens.
I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data.
Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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| RETAINING A LAWYER CanLaw is not connected with the Law Society of Upper Canada or any other Law Society anywhere. We compete with them and they routinely attack us because among other things, we provide a much better referral service than they do. . .and CanLaw is FREE.  Check with CanLaw to see if we have any complaints on file.
Read CanLaw's Advice on How to Hire a Lawyer
Here is our list of Lawyers in Ontario Questions you should ask of both the Law Society and the lawyer before you retain any Ontario lawyer.
- Check that s/he is in good standing withThe Law Society of Upper Canada.
Tel: (416) 947-3310
Email: Check out lawyer
Fax: (416) 947-3924
- Ask when s/he was admitted to the Bar. (This will tell you how long they have been in practice.)
- Ask if s/he specializes in the area of law you in which you require assistance.
- What specialist training or certification does s/he have?
- Ask how many similar cases s/he has handled? How many were won.
- Ask if s/he has ever been disbarred, suspended, or disciplined by any Law Society anywhere.
- Ask if she has been the subject of fee reviews.
- Ask if any complaints have been made against her (regardless of the outcome) to the Law Society.
The Society's Annual Reports are available online They can provide a great deal of useful information and leads to assist you.
Rate Your LawyerTHE LAW SOCIETY OF UPPER CANADA
Legal Aid Commission of Ontario
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TO FILE COMPLAINTS:
Dealing With The Law Society of Upper Canada LSUC
Please go to to review the complaint procedures.
The Law Society of Upper Canada has a mediation program to help deal with complaints.
KNOW THE RULES. IT WILL HELP YOUR COMPLAINT!
The Rules of Professional Conduct for the Law Society of Upper Canada can be obtained from the LSUC web site. Use and read the Rules to help organize your complaint. It is better if you can say that the lawyer violated rule # xxx by doing what she did or did not do. This organizes your material and shows you have done your homework. HINT: Keep your complaint calm and rational. Avoid name calling, abuse and threats. Try to stick to the facts and avoid all emotion. It isn't easy, but it is smart.
HISTORY OF COMPLAINTS IN OntarioThe Law Society of Upper Canada has about 30,000 active member lawyers. Weigh that against an average of about 5,500 complaints per year. Of these 5500 complaints, on average only about 100 make it to a discipline hearing. The rest are dismissed. You can dig into the LSUC Annual Reports to see the actual figures on complaints filed with the LSUC Most Law Societies will not tell you if they have complaints against a lawyer unless s/he has been "convicted" in an internal discipline hearing. Generally, complaints to any Law Society are futile. Nevertheless, complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.
Most complaints to any Law Society are dismissed. Most complaints are simply frivolous and few have any real merit. Complaints should be filed on the slight chance that they will have an impact.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for information under the Freedom of Information Statutes must be answered within 30 days. Although the law societies are not bound by these statutes, most will comply and fill your requests. |
