Purpose
Lawyers and licensed paralegals may form a Multi-Discipline Practice with professionals who practise a profession, trade or occupation that supports or supplements their practice of law or provision of legal service (e.g., accountants, tax consultants, trademark and patent agents, etc.).
When a licensee and a professional enter into a formal partnership agreement, it is considered to be a Multi-Discipline Partnership, which must be approved by the Law Society by application. The licensee must comply with Part III of By-Law 7.
Licensees are responsible for the actions of professional partners and must maintain professional liability insurance for all professional partners.
Who can apply
All licensees who are in good standing with the Law Society and who wish to form a partnership with a professional may apply.
Initial Application Requirements
Ongoing Requirements and Non-compliance
Once the Multi-Discipline Partnership is approved, the licensee(s) who formed the Multi-Discipline Partnership are required to submit the Report on Multi-Discipline Partnership by January 31st each year for the previous year, including any changes in participants, agreements and/or other information.
Failure to submit the Report on Multi-Discipline Partnership annually could result in administrative suspension.
Application Process
All applications and pertinent attachments will be reviewed and approved by Administrative Compliance (AC). If the review reveals that the application and/or attachments are incomplete, an (AC) Representative will contact the applicant to request additional information or advise of changes necessary for compliance
with Part III of By-Law 7 and the Law Society's policies, as well as the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers or Paralegal Rules of Conduct for paralegals.
(AC) requires at least 15 business days to process either the initial application or Multi-Discipline Partnership annual report. The applicant will receive a letter confirming that the Multi-Discipline Partnership complies with the requirements of Part III of By-Law 7.
Non-refundable Administrative Fees
A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $250 + HST must be remitted along with each completed application. This fee includes the application for one professional partner. A non-refundable fee of $50 + HST is required for each additional professional partner included in the application.
There is no fee for the Multi-Discipline Partnership annual report.
Links to Application and Required Documents
- Initial Application
- MDP Annual Report
- Contact Administrative Compliance to obtain a Report on Multi-Discipline Partnership.
Links to Applicable By-Law & Rules
Questions
All questions about Multi-Discipline Partnership applications should be directed to Administrative Compliance by contacting the Resource Centre at (416) 947-3315 (toll-free 1-800-668-7380 x3315) and asking to be transferred, or emailing Administrative Compliance
using the Contact Page.