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Annual Report
2020
Our Mandate

The Law Society of Ontario (Law Society) governs the legal professions in the public interest by ensuring that the people of Ontario are served by lawyers and paralegals who meet high standards of learning, competence and professional conduct.

In fulfilling its regulatory mandate, the Law Society observes principles that encompass a duty to protect the public interest, to maintain and advance the cause of justice and the rule of law, to facilitate access to justice for the people of Ontario, and to act in a timely, open and efficient manner.

Not only has the pandemic focused our attention on the vulnerabilities of others, it has reminded us of our own fragility, particularly regarding mental health and wellness. We need to look after ourselves. We need to look out for, and after, each other.

The Law Society continued to make substantial progress on key initiatives in 2021, despite the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic. Opportunities arose through the disruptions that supported the acceleration of our modernization and efficiency efforts, and our team made adjustments that continued to increase our effectiveness as an organization.
At a Glance
2,485
Lawyers Licensed
631
Paralegals Licensed
56,953
Lawyer Members
9,607
Paralegal Members
39,394
Lawyers Practising Law
3,699
Paralegals Providing Legal Services
3,987
Complaints Referred to Professional Regulation Division
165
Discipline Notices Issued
Terms or Concepts Explained