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Accommodations

Candidates may request accommodation in the lawyer and paralegal licensing processes based on a ground listed in the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19.

Candidates must review the Law Society’s Accommodation Policy prior to submitting an accommodation request. If applicable, candidates must also review the Supporting Medical Documents FAQ and Checklist.

Requests for accommodation are made by submitting a service request through LSO Connects.

Lawyer and Paralegal Examinations

Accommodation Policy and Examination Rules and Protocol

In accordance with the Declaration candidates agree to as part of the application for admission to the licensing process, candidates seeking accommodation for the licensing examination(s) must abide by all policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols, processes and rules applicable to the licensing process, which include the Law Society’s licensing examination Rules and Protocol and Accommodation Policy (Policy). These documents contain important information about the Law Society’s licensing examination process, its duty to accommodate candidates, the Law Society’s procedures and strategies for accommodation, and candidates’ responsibilities when requesting and receiving accommodation.
Making an examination accommodation request

In order to request an accommodation for a licensing examination, candidates must submit a service request through LSO Connects and upload relevant documents.

When requesting accommodation, candidates who require supporting documentation from a qualified regulated or registered professional with knowledge of the candidate’s disability (Treating Professional) are responsible for obtaining and submitting the required documentation.

Candidates must review the Supporting Medical Documents FAQ for more details about when supporting medical documents are required, who should provide the supporting medical documents and the types of supporting documents that should be provided. Candidates must also review the Supporting Medical Documents Checklist for details about the information required in any supporting medical documents.

Note that the documentation provided must specifically address the candidate’s ability to participate in a Law Society process.
Examination accommodation request deadlines

For accommodation needs that are known when applying to the licensing process, candidates must submit a service request for accommodation on the licensing examinations immediately following their application.

Where there is a new or changing accommodation need while in the licensing process, candidates must submit a service request for accommodation on the licensing examinations as soon as possible and no later than the deadline posted for the sitting of the licensing examination for which the candidate has registered (see the Examination dates and deadlines page for lawyers and for paralegals).

A request will be deemed late where a service request and all required information and documentation are not submitted immediately following the candidate’s submission of their licensing process application or, for new or changing accommodations, where it is not submitted as soon as the candidate is aware of the need for accommodation.

Candidates who do not submit a service request for accommodation on or before the deadline for requesting accommodation for their chosen licensing examination will have to defer to a future sitting.

For candidates who submit an accommodation service request at the same time as a licensing process application within two weeks of the deadline for requesting accommodation, the Law Society cannot guarantee that they will be able to write their chosen licensing examination.
Accommodation plan

After considering a candidate’s request for accommodation and any supporting information or documents provided, the Law Society will determine whether accommodation is required and, if so, what form of accommodation is reasonable in the circumstances.

Where the Law Society determines that accommodation is required and that providing accommodation will not cause undue hardship to the Law Society, it will develop an accommodation plan and provide the plan and an explanation for it to the candidate. The accommodation plan may not be identical to what was requested.

The Law Society will work with the candidate to implement the accommodation plan, including considering any requested modifications that are supported by new information.

Accommodation plans will generally be automatically implemented upon the candidate registering and paying for an examination.

Candidates with an accommodation plan will receive details about the date, time and location of the candidate’s licensing examination sitting on LSO Connects at least 10-15 days prior to the licensing examination date.

If the Law Society declines a request for accommodation or the candidate considers the Law Society’s accommodation plan to be unsatisfactory, the candidate may appeal the decision by following the procedure set out in the Accommodation Policy.
Examination accommodation inquiries

Inquiries relating to accommodation in the licensing examinations must be sent through LSO Connects.

Given the sensitivity and complexity of accommodations, accommodation-related inquiries may entail longer response times than other types of inquiries because investigation and review are often required.

Becoming licensed

Candidates who are seeking to be called to the Bar by a name other than their legal name in connection with a ground listed in the Human Rights Code may submit a service request for accommodation through LSO Connects.

Licensing accommodation request deadlines

Candidates who require accommodation for licensure must submit an accommodation service request on LSO Connects as soon as they become aware of the need for accommodation or, for new or changing accommodations, at least one month before licensure.

For more information, please contact the Law Society through LSO Connects.

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