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2023 Bencher Election - FAQs

  • When is the next bencher election?
    The next bencher election for both lawyer and paralegal benchers is April 28, 2023.
     
  • What procedures govern the bencher election?
    The election is conducted in accordance with the Law Society Act and By-law 3 made pursuant to the Law Society Act.
     
  • Who can run for bencher?

    Every lawyer licensee who on June 1, 2023 would not have held the office of elected bencher for 12 or more years, whose business address, or, where the licensee has no business address, home address, as indicated on the records of the Law Society, is within Ontario, whose licence is not suspended at the time of signing the nomination form and who, prior to the close of nominations, if they have not previously been an elected bencher, has completed the Society’s Candidate Orientation and Education course can run for bencher.

    Every paralegal licensee who on June 1, 2023 would not have held the office of bencher, whether elected or appointed, and/or the office of an appointed or elected member of the Paralegal Standing Committee for a total of 12 or more years, whose business address, or, where the licensee has no business address, home address, as indicated on the records of the Law Society, is within Ontario, whose licence is not suspended at the time of signing the nomination form, and who, prior to the close of nominations, if they have not previously been an elected bencher, has completed the Society’s Candidate Orientation and Education course can run for bencher.

  • What if I change my mind? Can I withdraw my nomination?

    Candidates may withdraw from the election by notifying the Elections Officer in writing within seven days after the close of nominations. Names of candidates who withdraw on or before 5 p.m. EST on March 3, 2023 will not appear on the ballot. Due to production deadlines, the names of candidates who withdraw after 5 p.m. on March 3, 2023 may appear on the ballot.

  • Are there any rules governing my campaign for bencher?

    All election material and statements must comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct or the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, as the case may be. The election statement cannot be published if it breaches the Rules or may be libelous. A committee of benchers will make a determination on these issues.

  • Who is eligible to vote in the bencher election

    All lawyer and paralegal licensees whose licences are not suspended on April 12, 2023 are eligible to vote.

  • How many candidates can voters vote for?

    Lawyer voters can cast up to 20 votes for candidates inside Toronto and up to 20 votes for candidates outside Toronto. Voters are not required to cast all 40 of their votes.

    Paralegal voters can cast up to five votes for all candidates. Voters are not required to cast all five votes.

  • How do voters vote?

    Election procedures will be published by January 31, 2023. All eligible voters will be provided with detailed instructions on how to vote in the third week in April 2023. Voting will close at 5 p.m. EST on April 28, 2023.

    Information is also in the Voting Guides for lawyers and paralegals.

  • What is a regional bencher?

    Eight lawyer candidates will be elected as regional benchers. The regional bencher is the lawyer candidate who receives the highest number of votes from lawyer voters in each of the eight electoral regions. The business addresses of regional benchers, or, where they have no business address, the home addresses of regional benchers, must be within the electoral regions in which they are elected.

  • What are the eight electoral regions?
    • City of Toronto
    • Northwest Electoral Region composed of the territorial districts of Kenora, Rainy River, and Thunder Bay.
    • Northeast Electoral Region composed of the territorial districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Sudbury, and Timiskaming.
    • East Electoral Region composed of the counties of Frontenac, Hastings, Lanark, Lennox and Addington, Prince Edward and Renfrew; the united counties of Leeds and Grenville, Prescott and Russell and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry; and the City of Ottawa.
    • Central East Electoral Region composed of the District Municipality of Muskoka, the counties of Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough and, Simcoe, the regional municipalities of Durham and York and the City of Kawartha Lakes.    
    • Central West Electoral Region composed of the counties of Bruce, Dufferin, Grey and Wellington; and the regional municipalities of Halton and Peel.
    • Central South Electoral Region composed of the counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk, and the regional municipalities of Niagara and Waterloo and the City of Hamilton.
    • Southwest Electoral Region composed of the counties of Elgin, Essex, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.
  • How many benchers are elected?

    A total of 40 lawyer benchers are elected – 20 from inside Toronto and 20 from outside Toronto. A total of five paralegal benchers are elected.

  • When do the benchers elected on April 28, 2023 take office?

    Benchers will take office on May 25, 2023, the first regular Convocation after the election.

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