The Law Society and You
The Law Society regulates Ontario lawyers and paralegal licensees in the public interest.
We ensure that these individuals:
- Are licensed and insured
- Are qualified to help you through the legal process
- Meet standards of learning, competence and professional conduct
In some situations, you may either choose a lawyer or a paralegal to assist you. In others, you will need to speak with a lawyer. You may want to start by reviewing our How Can the Law Society Help and Lawyers and Paralegals: Helping You With Your Legal Needs brochures.
What we can do for you
If you think you need legal assistance, you may first want to read Helping you with your legal needs and our Frequently Asked Questions page, both of which will help you to understand the differences between the services offered by lawyers and those offered by paralegals. Once you have determined the type of legal services you require, the following information can help you to find a lawyer or a paralegal.
- Finding a Lawyer
- Our online Lawyer and Paralegal Directory is useful if you have the name of a lawyer, but you want to know how to contact him or her
- You can use our Lawyer Referral Service to help you find a lawyer near you
- Our Directory of Certified Specialists lists lawyers who are certified as specialists by the Law Society, in a particular area of law
- If you are low income, consider whether pro bono or legal aid services might help you by visiting Law Help Ontario or Legal Aid Ontario
- Finding a Paralegal
- Our Lawyer and Paralegal Directory can help you find a specific paralegal, if you know his or her name. You can also use the Directory to search by city
- Finding out more about a specific lawyer or paralegal
- You may contact the Law Society's Client Service Centre to find out whether a lawyer or licensed paralegal is currently entitled to provide legal services in Ontario. You may also ask about the individual's discipline history. See Inquiring about a lawyer or paralegal for more information
Access to Justice
The Law Society supports a number of services, such as the Public Legal Education Task Force and Pro Bono Law Ontario, that help to make sure the public is well served by the legal system of Ontario. Read the Access to Justice Fact Sheet for more about these and other programs.
Complaining about a lawyer or licensed paralegal
Please see our Complaining about a Lawyer or Paralegal section for more information.
What we cannot do
- Investigate complaints about fees charged by a lawyer or paralegal
- The Law Society cannot order your lawyer or paralegal to reduce the amount billed to you for services provided
- If you have a problem with your lawyer's bill, you may want to talk to your lawyer, or contact the Assessment Office of the Superior Court of Justice to make an appointment to have your bill reviewed. See Your Lawyer's Bill - Too High? for more information
- If you have a problem with the fee charged by a paralegal, you may want to talk to the paralegal or contact the Small Claims Court (if the bill is under $10,000)
- Provide legal advice.
- The Law Society cannot provide you with legal advice. However, we can give you information about our complaints process and direct you to other legal resources who may be able to assist you
- Order your lawyer or paralegal to compensate you for losses resulting from negligent acts
- All practising lawyers in Ontario are required to have professional liability insurance through LAWPRO, the Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company
- Licensed paralegals are also required to carry professional liability insurance, through private insurance providers
- If you believe your lawyer or paralegal was negligent, you may want to get legal advice about your options
Visit About the Society to learn more about the Law Society of Upper Canada.