Purpose
Lawyers who wish to be licensed in Ontario who are from Canadian jurisdictions that have signed and/or implemented the National Mobility Agreement (PDF) (NMA) or the Territorial Mobility Agreement (PDF) (TMA) (reciprocating jurisdictions) may apply for permanent mobility under subsection 9(2) of By-Law 4.
Lawyers from the following reciprocating jurisdictions may apply for permanent transfer in order to be licensed in Ontario:
National Mobility Agreement
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland
Prince Edward Island
Territorial Mobility Agreement
Northwest Territories
Yukon
Nunavut
Lawyers from Quebec who wish to obtain a class L1 licence must apply by way of the licensing examinations under subsection 9(1) of By-Law 4, as Quebec has not implemented the National Mobility Agreement.
Who can apply
Lawyers from reciprocating jurisdictions who are in good standing and entitled to practise in their home jurisdiction may apply to be licensed in Ontario under subsection 9(2) of By-Law 4, based on the National Mobility Agreement or the Territorial Mobility Agreement.
Application Requirements
- Completed and original Application for Licence under the National Mobility Agreement or the Territorial Mobility Agreement and subsection 9(2) of By-Law 4
- Non-refundable fee for administration, reading material, and licensing
- Original Certificates(s) of Standing (dated within the last 30 days) from each Law Society of which you are or have been a member, inside and outside of Canada. NOTE: Your Certificate(s) of Standing must be replaced if it becomes more than 60 days old at the time your application is ready to be approved by Administrative Compliance
- A notarized copy of your Canadian Birth Certificate as proof of age and full legal name,
OR
A notarized copy (front and back) of your Canadian Citizenship Card
- Two colour passport photos taken within the past 12 months
- Original required Reading Declaration
- Additional documents as required
- Information regarding your complete work history for the last 5 years
- All applications and related information and documentation must be correct, complete and received by the Administrative Compliance department no later than 15 business days prior to the applicant's anticipated licensing date
Application Process
This is a two-part process:
PART I Application for permanent transfer and completion of the required reading materials
All applications and attachments are reviewed by Administrative Compliance. If the review reveals that the application cannot be approved then an Administrative Compliance Representative will contact the applicant to request additional information or advise of changes.
Applicants must read the required reading materials and submit the original signed Reading Declaration before applications will be approved for licensing.
Administrative Compliance requires at least 15 business days to process the application for transfer and will notify applicants in writing confirming their approval.
PART II Licensing Process
The Office of the Registrar will contact applicants to provide details regarding the licensing process, once the application for transfer has been approved by Administrative Compliance and the original Reading Declaration has been submitted.
Non-refundable Administrative Fees
A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $1450 + HST must be submitted along with the application for permanent transfer. The application fee includes the administrative processing fee, the cost of reading materials, and licensing.
NOTE: Annual Law Society membership fees are payable once the licence has been granted.
Links to Application and additional information
Links to Applicable By-Law and Agreements
Questions
All questions about the application for transfer 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.
All questions about the Licensing Process should be directed to the Office of the Registrar by contacting the Resource Centre at (416) 947-3315 (toll-free 1-800-668-7380 x3315) and asking to be transferred, or emailing the Office of the Registrar using the Contact Page.