Licensing Following Surrender or Revocation

Purpose

Former Law Society lawyers who surrendered their licence at their own request, who were permitted to surrender their licence, or whose licence was revoked may apply for licensing under the Law Society Act and By-Law 4 as follows:

• Licensing: Law Society Act s.27
• Surrender of Licence: Law Society Act s.30
• Issuance of Licence: By-Law 4 Part II
• Surrender of Licence: By-Law 4 Part III

Who can apply

All former Ontario lawyers who wish to return to the practice of law in Ontario and be considered for licensing by the Law Society may apply. Former LSUC lawyers may not use the National Mobility Agreement to transfer to Ontario. They must apply under the licensing process.

Application Requirements

• Non-refundable administrative application fee
• Appropriate completed and original application for licensing
• Non-refundable full payment of all Law Society annual fees owing
• Non-refundable full payment of all LAWPRO premiums/fees/levies/deductibles owing
• Submission of all outstanding original Member's Annual Reports
• LAWPRO Errors & Omissions Claims History
• Civil Actions search results
• Canadian Police Information Centre report (CPIC)
• Superintendent of Bankruptcy search results
• Additional pertinent documents and information to comply with specific application requirements

Note: Law Society annual fees for the year in which you apply to be licensed will be payable prior to final approval for licensing.

Contact the Law Society's Resource Centre at 416-947-3315 or 1-800-668-7380 Ext.3315 or by e-mail at records@lsuc.on.ca for information on current fees payable.

Application Process

All applications and pertinent attachments will be reviewed by Administrative Compliance (AC). If the review reveals that the application and/or attachments are deficient, then an (AC) Representative will contact the applicant to request additional information or clarification. Applications for former lawyers who surrendered their licence on their own request may be approved by (AC). Applications for former lawyers who were permitted to surrender their licence, or whose licence was revoked will be scheduled for a hearing by the Law Society Hearing Panel which will consider the licensing application. The decision of the Hearing Panel will be communicated to the applicant immediately following the date the matter is heard.

(AC) requires up to 60 business days to process applications for licensing following surrender of licence at own request. For applications from lawyers permitted to surrender their licence or who have had their licence revoked, (AC) requires up to 90 business days. Further time is required for these applications to allow for a full regulatory review.

Non-refundable Administrative Fees and Costs

A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $300 + HST must be remitted along with the completed application. Applicants are obliged to pay all Law Society Membership Annual Fees and LAWPRO premiums/fees/levies/deductibles outstanding as well as the annual fees for the year in which they are making their application prior to licensing.

Applicants are also responsible for all costs (if any) associated with their case in accordance with Rule 14 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Links to Applications and Additional Documents

Links to Applicable Rules and The Law Society Act

• Law Society Act
• Rules of Practice and Procedure
• By-Law 4

Questions

All application related questions 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 e-mail Administrative Compliance using the Contact Page.