Law Society of Ontario

The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) serves the people of Ontario by regulating the province's lawyers and paralegals in the public interest. Established by an act of the Legislative Assembly in 1797, originally as the Law Society of Upper Canada, the LSO ensures that legal professionals meet high standards of learning, competence, and professional conduct. This commitment is central to the LSO's duty to protect the public, maintain and advance the cause of justice and the rule of law, and facilitate access to justice for all Ontarians. The LSO strives to operate in a timely, open, and efficient manner, recognizing that self-governance is a privilege that demands paramount concern for the public interest.

Our customers, the people of Ontario, face various challenges when navigating the legal system. That's why the LSO provides a range of public services designed to address these needs. These services include a complaints process for addressing concerns about lawyer or paralegal conduct, a comprehensive online directory to find legal professionals, and the Law Society Referral Service, which offers a free 30-minute consultation to help individuals understand their rights and options. Furthermore, the LSO maintains a directory of certified specialists in specific areas of law and operates a Compensation Fund to assist clients who have suffered financial loss due to the dishonesty of a lawyer or paralegal. To enhance access to legal services, the LSO actively supports programs like Pro Bono Law Ontario and the Law Commission of Ontario. We are also committed to ensuring that the legal professions reflect the diversity of Ontario by engaging with Indigenous, Francophone, and equity-seeking groups.

The LSO governs more than 57,000 lawyers and over 10,000 licensed paralegals in Ontario, guided by the Law Society Act and its own rules, regulations, and guidelines. Beyond regulation, the LSO supports its licensees by providing legal information, resources, and professional development opportunities. This includes offering continuing professional development programs, mentoring initiatives, and resources to help legal professionals manage their practices effectively and ethically. The LSO is funded through licensing fees from lawyers and paralegals. As the oldest self-governing body in North America, the Law Society of Ontario has a long history of adapting to meet the evolving needs of the public and the legal professions, consistently prioritizing the public interest in all its endeavors.