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.
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.
As part of its commitment to transparency, the Law Society gathers statistical information about complaints, hearings, trusteeships and more and makes this publicly available in its reports.