November 30, 2023

The future of the Certified Specialist Program: Convocation approved several recommendations regarding the Certified Specialist Program (CSP) as presented in this report. 

• The Law Society will continue to administer the CSP. 
• Commencing January 1, 2025, Certified Specialists will be required to complete 10 hours of Continuing Professional Development, in their area of speciality every year, in addition to the 12 hours of CPD required by all licensees providing legal services on an annual basis.
• The Law Society will explore opportunities for the enhancement of the CSP including the re-certification process and the expansion of the CSP to paralegals and report back to Convocation on their viability. 

Additionally, the Law Society will review public-facing information about the program in order to better inform Ontarians about Certified Specialists.

These recommendations address the robust feedback from the professions in response to the CSP consultation earlier this year. Additional information about the responses and common themes are detailed in the report.
 
AGM motion re: access to legal services in underserved communities: Convocation approved recommendations from the Access to Justice Committee in response to a Federation of Ontario Law Associations’ motion carried at the Law Society’s May 2023 Annual General Meeting. The committee plans to undertake research concerning the motion including consulting stakeholders and examining what communities are under-served both geographically and in areas of law, prior to bringing recommendations to Convocation for approval. Read the report. 

Rules of practice and procedure: The Law Society Tribunal Rules of Practice and Procedure were amended regarding service through LSO Connects; public access and tribunal openness; and failure to co-operate applications. Read the report. 

Futures committee: The Futures Committee provided a report to Convocation with an update on issues and trends it has identified through its research to date and its plans to engage the professions in the next phase of its work. Read the report. 

Other decisions

• Appointments