Licensing following surrender or revocation of paralegal licence

Purpose

Former Law Society paralegals who either surrendered their licence or had their licence revoked may apply for licensing under the Law Society Act and By-law 4.

Who can apply

Former paralegals who wish to return to the provision of legal services in Ontario and be considered for licensing by the Law Society may apply. 

Three different application processes

There are three application forms based on the reason for your surrender or revocation of licence:

• Licensing following surrender of licence at paralegal’s own request 
• Licensing following administrative revocation 
• Licensing following revocation of licence or permission to surrender licence 

1. Licensing following surrender at own request

   If you surrendered your licence at your own request, your application package will be reviewed by Compliance Services. We require approximately 60 business days from receipt of all required documents to process these applications.

2. Licensing following administrative revocation

   If your licence was administratively revoked, your application package will be reviewed by Compliance Services. We require approximately 60 business days from receipt of all required documents to process these applications.

3. Licensing following revocation or permission to surrender licence

   If you were permitted to surrender your licence or your licence was revoked, your licensing application will be reviewed by the Law Society Hearing Division.

   Compliance Services conducts an initial assessment, which takes approximately 90 business days from receipt of all required documents.

   We will then forward your application to Professional Regulation for further review. Following this review, a hearing will be scheduled with the Law Society Hearing Division. You will be notified of the decision of the Hearing Division after the matter is heard.

Application process

1. Apply online through LSO Connects

   You must apply for licensing through LSO Connects, the Law Society’s secure online communications channel.

   Former Law Society licensees must log in to their LSO Connects account to apply. Former licensees who do not have an account must create an LSO Connects account to apply.

2. Complete the self-screening questionnaire

   Log-in to your LSO Connects account and complete the self-screening questionnaire by selecting the tile to Apply for a Lawyer or Paralegal Licence  on the home page. The self-screening questionnaire will help determine if you are eligible to apply for licensing. If you are eligible, you will be provided a link to the applicable application form.

3. Complete the application form

   Complete the applicable licensing application form online.

   If you are unable to complete the entire licensing application form on the same day you start it, you may save it in draft. You may access the draft in LSO Connects and complete it within six months.

4. Include required documents with your online application

   Required supporting documents are set out in the online application and must be uploaded into LSO Connects to submit your application. Supporting documents include but are not limited to the following:

   • curriculum vitae/resume
   • proof of legal name change, if applicable
   • insurance letter (complete and forward this release to your paralegal insurance provider to obtain your letter)
   • Certificate(s) of Standing, if applicable
   • good character supporting documentation, if required.

   All supporting documents must be dated within 60 days of the day you submit them. We will contact you if documents are missing or need to be updated.

   NOTE: Certificate(s) of Standing must be sent to the Law Society directly from the regulatory body by email to [email protected]. You do not need to submit a Certificate of Standing from the Law Society of Ontario.

5. Application and other fees 

   Pay the non-refundable application fee through LSO Connects to submit your licensing application. 

   Item	Amount
   Application fee	$300
   HST (#121712863)	$39
   Total	$339

   If you have fees owing from the time your licence was surrendered or revoked, you must pay them in full prior to licensing.

   Refer to the Financial Transactions section of your LSO Connects account to determine if you owe any fees. If historical fees information is not available on LSO Connects, contact Membership Services by sending a message through LSO Connects to confirm if you owe any fees.

6. Annual fees and insurance payable upon licensing

   Law Society annual fees for the year in which your licence is reinstated will be payable upon licensing.

   Information about current annual fees and how to pay them is available on our website.

   Review the paralegal insurance requirements to determine if you require insurance to provide legal services.

Additional documents

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

Questions

Questions about re-licensing should be directed to Compliance Services by sending a message through LSO Connects.

If your question relates to your specific re-licensing application, send a message from within the application on LSO Connects.

Accessibility

The Law Society is committed to ensuring that our websites and web applications are accessible for people with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to access information or an application, please create an LSO Connects account or log-in to your account and submit an accommodation service request. If you have a disability that prevents you from doing that, email [email protected] with details about the assistance you need.