How to apply
Eligibility
The Access to Innovation (A2I) program is open to any legal innovator with an idea for the innovative delivery of legal services via technology. You don’t have to be a lawyer or a paralegal to apply, although we do welcome applications from Law Society licensees.
Once approved to participate in A2I you’ll be able to operate in Ontario for an initial, renewable term without being in violation of legislation regarding the provision of legal services in Ontario. There are some consumer protection criteria you’ll have to meet that will be discussed with you early in the application process.
Requirements to Qualify
In order to qualify for admission to A2I you need to demonstrate:
- an innovative idea leveraging technology in its delivery;
- a quality product or service that is fit for its intended purpose;
- cyber security and intrusion protection built in;
- compliance with Canadian privacy laws and respect for the privacy of your customers reflected in your privacy policy;
- fair treatment of your customers reflected in your terms and conditions of use;
- a commitment to and a method for dealing with customer complaints;
- commercial insurance: general liability, errors and omissions and cyber-security;
- honest representations on your site and in advertising and marketing of what your product can do; and
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a willingness to work with the LSO as we fulfill our A2I mandate.
For more details please contact us at: accesstoinnovation@lso.ca
or 416-947-7618.
Application Process
There are two stages to the A2I application process:
Stage 1 involves you telling us about your idea/product/service and us providing you with feedback and raising any concerns we may have.
Stage 1 approval indicates that based on our preliminary assessment, your idea/product/service shows good potential to be approved as a participant.
Stage 2 involves a more in-depth evaluation of your idea/product/service.
Our primary purpose is to ensure consumer protection provisions are in place such as cybersecurity, user privacy, liability insurance and a robust process for handling user complaints should they arise.
Finally, once you’ve completed all your development/test cycles, we’d like to take your final beta version for a test drive just to confirm that it's “market ready” before we give it our final stamp of approval.
Apply Now
Apply now by completing a Stage 1 application form and sending it by email to accesstoinnovation@lso.ca.
The Stage 1 application form is available to download here.
If you don’t feel you’re at the point in development where you can complete the Stage 1 application form, please send us an email. We’d be happy to speak with you about your idea and discuss how to prepare it for a Stage 1 application.
Throughout this process we commit to keeping our conversations with you confidential.