LSO COVID-19 RESPONSE

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: LSO EMERGENCY FAMILY LAW REFERRAL LINE 

In response to the suspension of regular court operations, the LSO set up an Emergency Family Law Referral Line ("EFLRL") with support from the OBA, FOLA, the courts and various family bar groups. The EFLRL call centre has LSO staff who will connect self-represented litigants with lawyers for 30 minutes of pro bono legal advice to assist in determining whether their matters are “urgent” as defined by the Courts and to help those with urgent matters get further assistance.

If you are interested in joining the roster of lawyers providing this pro bono service, please email advocacy@oba.org with the following information: (1) Your contact information; (2) Whether you are able to take on domestic violence and child protection matters; (3) Whether you provide legal services in French.

Candidates for the next Treasurer of the Law Society of Ontario nominated

Treasurer Malcolm M. Mercer ends his second term as Treasurer on June 26. At Convocation that day, the first order of business will be the election of a new Treasurer. 

The Law Society of Ontario’s Treasurer is elected every year to lead the organization. If more than one candidate is nominated, a poll for the election is launched mid-June and closes when Convocation convenes on June 26. 

Two benchers have been nominated: Teresa Donnelly and Philip H. Horgan. 

At the February 2019 Convocation, the Tribunal Committee asked Convocation to review and approve the proposed Law Society Tribunal Rules of Practice and Procedure, to replace the current Rules of Practice and Procedure effective April 1, 2019. 

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED:

Motion That Convocation revoke, effective April 1, 2019, the current Law Society Tribunal Hearing Division and Appeal Division Rules of Practice and Procedure and the forms under those rules. 

That Convocation make, to be effective April 1, 2019, the Law Society Tribunal Rules of Practice and Procedure in English and French and corresponding forms, as set out at Tabs 4.1 and 4.2 in English and 4.3 and 4.4 in French, pursuant to s. 61.2 of the Law Society Act, RSO 1990, c. L. 8. 

A Table of Concordance is at Tab 4.5 comparing the old and the proposed rules.   This can be found on page 205 of their Report.

The work of the Governance Task Force is now completed. The task force provided its final report to Convocation in April 2019. 

FOLA's submission to the LSO.

Background

February 2018
The Governance Task Force provided a report to Convocation outlining key findings and next steps under its the mandate of ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in Law Society governance as one of Convocation’s strategic priorities.

May 2017

Convocation approved the Governance Task Force’s recommendation to change the Bencher election process, so there is a single election date for the lawyer and paralegal Bencher elections, starting on April 30, 2019.

Report to Convocation - May 2017

February 2017

The Governance Task Force proposed that Convocation consider a change to the bencher election process to hold the lawyer and paralegal Bencher elections on the same date.

Report to Convocation – February 2017

September 2016

The Governance Task Force was established by Convocation, at the request of the Treasurer, to review and make recommendations in regard to the Law Society's governance structure.

The work of the Governance Task Force 2016 supports Convocation's strategic priority to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the Law Society's governance methods.

Report to Convocation - Sept. 2016 - Terms of Reference