Protecting the Public | Law Society of Ontario 2019-04-01, 7*31 PM

Protecting the Public

The Law Society regulates Ontario's legal profession in the public interest.
Legislation passed by the Government of Ontario, (primarily the Law Society
Act and Regulations made under the Act) authorizes the Law Society to
license Ontario's lawyers and paralegals and regulate their conduct,
competence and capacity.

The Law Society's by-laws, Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers and
Paralegal Rules of Conduct - all based on the Law Society Act - set out the
professional and ethical obligations of our lawyers and paralegals.

If you are concerned about a lawyer's or paralegal's conduct, you can make a
complaint.

If you are a First Nations, Métis or Inuit (FNMI) person, this fact sheet will
help you understand how the Law Society receives, reviews, investigates and
resolves concerns or complaints. The fact sheet also discusses the support
available to you.

While most complaints are concluded without the need for a disciplinary
hearing, some complaints do proceed to hearing. Discipline hearings are
public.

If you've lost money because of a lawyer's or paralegal's dishonesty, the Law

Society's Compensation Fund may be able to reimburse you for all or part of
your loss.

If you are looking for information or documentation from the files of a lawyer
or paralegal who is no longer practising, contact Trustee Services may be able
to help you.

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Protecting the Public | Law Society of Ontario 2019-04-01, 7*31 PM

If you are looking for the status of a lawyer or paralegal, check the Law
Society Lawyer/Paralegal Directory.

Only lawyers and paralegals can provide legal services directly to the public.
Illegal practitioners are people who provide legal services directly to the
public without a licence. The Law Society prosecutes illegal practitioners.

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