FAQs: LSO Operations

The Law Society continues to serve our members and Ontarians while working remotely, in-office with strict physical distancing guidelines and measures in place, or a combination of both. In periods that Toronto is in Lockdown by the Provincial Government employees will be discouraged from attending any office locations.
This protocol will remain in effect until at least March 31, 2021.

While we encourage people to stay at home and only take essential trips, the reception area at Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West, is still accessible to candidates, licensees and the public for document drop-off or pick-up. Only the east entrance to the building off Nathan Phillips Square is open.

Prior to attending our office to drop off or pick up documents, please review the screening questions provided by the City of Toronto. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the screening questions or are feeling unwell, please stay home and follow the advice of public health officials. You are required to wear a mask or face covering while in the building.

We will keep licensees and Ontarians up to date regarding our return to office plan, as we move ahead in a thoughtful and measured way.

Whether our team is working on-site or remotely, we remain available to assist you. Contact us by phone at 416-947-3315, or by email at lawsociety@lso.ca.

Last updated: December 2

The Courts are an essential service and will remain open. However, the Ministry of the Attorney General, which is responsible for the administration of courts and courthouse facilities, states on its homepage that: “Courts are not operating as usual. Do not go to court unless you have been told to attend. Ontarians can continue to access the justice system for urgent matters, including online.”

Where possible, licensees are encouraged to issue and file their documents using the Justice Services Online platform for civil claims, small claims court, or family law matters, or by email as directed in each Region’s Notice to the Profession. Licensees should monitor the Ministry’s website or their Court Services website for further information and updates.

Effective March 17, 2021, the suspension of jury trials is extended until

• June 7, 2021 at the earliest, in the Central West, Central East, Central South, and East regions, and
• July 5, 2021 at the earliest, in the Toronto, Northwest, and Southwest regions.

 
No new jury selection will commence during this period. Proceedings that are in progress may continue subject to the discretion of the trial judge. All non-jury matters should proceed virtually unless it is absolutely necessary to hold the proceedings in-person. This applies to proceedings throughout the province of Ontario. For further information, licensees should consult the Superior Court of Justice’s Notice to the Profession and Public Regarding Court Proceedings and Guidelines on Access to Hearings During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Licensees should also check the applicable court website for information about remote or in-person attendance at specific courthouses.

Ontario Court of Justice - https://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/
Superior Court of Justice - https://www.ontariocourts.ca/scj/
Court of Appeal for Ontario - https://www.ontariocourts.ca/coa/en/
Federal Court of Canada - https://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/home
Tax Court of Canada - https://www.tcc-cci.gc.ca/en/home
Supreme Court of Canada - https://www.scc-csc.ca/

Last updated: April 12, 2021

To help those most impacted by the pandemic, the 2021 Annual Fee COVID-19 Deferral Option has been established to allow eligible licensees to defer the payment of their 2021 Annual Fees until 2022.

Eligibility requirements, application and information about the process are available here. 

Licensees who take part in the 2021 Annual Fee COVID-19 Deferral Option may sign up for the Pre-authorized Payment plan in early 2022 to spread the combined payment of both the 2021 and 2022 Annual Fees over the year. 

Last updated: January 8, 2021

New for 2021, a single date of March 31 applies for both Annual Fee payments and Annual Report Filings. (In 2022, CPD requirements for 2021 will also be required by that date.)

The change to a single date was made to make it easier for licensees to meet their requirements and keep track.

There will no longer be a 60-day period during which Annual Reports can be filed without penalty.

Licensees who do not meet the March 31 date for any of these requirements will be in default as of that date and may face immediate suspension. Late fees will no longer be applied. 

Last updated: January 8, 2021

We continue to monitor the situation surrounding COVID-19 and the advice of Canadian public health authorities. To assist licensees during this time, we have been releasing complimentary existing and responsive program content that can be accessed at https://store.lso.ca/cpdassists.

Registration is now open for the LSO CPD Spring 2021 programs! Visit https://store.lso.ca/ for details.
 
Do you have any questions regarding CPD programming? Please contact the CPD Customer Service Team at (416) 947-3315 or via email: cpdreg@lso.ca.
 

Last updated: November 25 

In response to COVID-19, as an interim measure, with support from the Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Justice, the Law Society is pleased to launch an emergency family law referral telephone line to provide assistance to people who are self-represented (SRLs) and who are trying to determine whether or not their family court matter meets the criteria to be heard by the Court on an “urgent” basis and, if so, how to proceed in making their request.

This emergency service will connect SRLs with family lawyers, working on a pro bono basis, who will provide 30 minutes of legal advice specific to determining whether or not their family court matter is urgent and referrals to other available legal services. 

Additional services may be available from the lawyer on a private retainer basis, from Legal Aid Ontario, from the Law Society Referral Service or the private unbundled family law roster*.

This interim measure is offered by the Law Society in association with the Ontario Bar Association and Toronto’s Family Law Advice and Settlement Counsel project, with support from the Family Lawyers Association and the Federation of Ontario Law Associations. To access this service, which will be staffed during business hours, SRLs may contact the Law Society by phone at the following numbers:

Toll-free: 1-800-268-7568
General: 416-947-3310

Last updated: March 24

Yes. As part of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is working to offer more resources to clients through the telephone and online. Learn about the changes.

Last updated: March 31