Transfers (National Mobility Agreement)

Permanent Transfer under the National Mobility Agreement - Class L1 Licence

Purpose

Lawyers who wish to be licensed in Ontario who are from Canadian jurisdictions, which have signed and implemented the National Mobility Agreement (PDF) (NMA) and the Territorial Mobility Agreement (TMA) (reciprocating jurisdictions) may apply for permanent mobility under By-law 4 s. 9 (2).

Lawyers from the following reciprocating jurisdictions may apply for permanent transfer in order to be licensed in Ontario:

Lawyers from Quebec who wish to obtain a class L1 licence must apply by way of the licensing examinations under By-law 4 s. 9 (1), 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 the National Mobility Agreement, and the Territorial Mobility Agreement, By-law 4 s. 9 (2).

Application Requirements

• Completed and original Application for Licence under the NMA and By-law 4 s. 9 (2)
• Completed and original Certificates of Character and Reputation
• Non-refundable fee for administration, reading material, and Licensing
• Original Certificate(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 coloured passport photos taken within the past 12 months
• Original Required Reading Declaration
• Additional pertinent documents to comply with specific application requirements
• Complete information regarding your 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 Mobility Transfer and Completion of the Required Reading Materials

All applications and pertinent attachments will be reviewed by Administrative Compliance. If the review reveals that the application and/or attachments are deficient, an Administrative Compliance Representative will contact the applicant to request additional information or clarification.

Applicants must complete the required reading materials and submit the original signed Reading Declaration before applications are approved for licensing.

Administrative Compliance requires at least 15 business days to process the Application for Transferand will notify  applicants in writing confirming their approval.

PART II Licensing Process

Applicants will be  contacted by the Office of the Registrar to confirm details regarding the licensing process, once the  Application for Licence has been approved 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 Licence under the NMA and By-law 4 s. 9 (2). 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

• Application for Licence under the NMA and By-law 4 s. 9 (2) (PDF)
• Application for Licence Fee Remittance Form (PDF)
• Certificate of Character and Reputation (PDF)

Links to Applicable By-law and the National Mobility Agreement

• By-law 4
• National Mobility Agreement (PDF)

Questions

Application related questions should be directed to Administrative Compliance by contacting the Law Society Resource Centre at (416) 947-3315 (toll-free within Ontario 1-800-668-7380 ext. 3315) and asking to be transferred, or sending an email to Administrative Compliance using the Contact Page.

Questions concerning the Licensing Process should be directed to the Office of the Registrar by contacting the Law Society Resource Centre at (416) 947-3315 (toll-free within Ontario 1-800-668-7380 ext. 3315) and asking to be transferred, or sending an email to the Office of the Registrar using the Contact Page.