Civil Society Organizations
Purpose
To make lawyer and paralegal services more accessible, the Law Society has approved a registration system that enables lawyers and paralegals to provide their professional services to the public as employees of charities and not-for-profit corporations. Under this initiative, registered charities and not-for-profit corporations can register with the Law Society to employ lawyers and paralegals to deliver legal services through their organizations directly to their clients. Lawyers and paralegals employed by charities and not-for-profit corporations may provide free lawyer and paralegal services to clients of the organization.
Who Can Apply
Applications are to be made by the registered charity or the not-for-profit corporation. A representative from the organization will need to complete and submit the Registration for Registered Charities and Not-For-Profit Corporations form. By registering, the organization does not become regulated by the Law Society, but the organization will be required to comply with the terms of registration as set out in the registration form. The Law Society will continue to regulate the lawyer or paralegal providing services through the charity or not-for-profit corporation. If at any time the Law Society requirements are not met, charities and not-for-profit corporations may be de-registered. This information will be made public.
Guide and Registration Form
A Guide for Registered Charities and Not-For-Profit Corporations
Registration Form for Registered Charities and Not-For-Profit Corporations
Ongoing Requirements
Registered charities and not-for-profit corporations will be required to file a short report with the Law Society on an annual basis.
Additional Information
Lawyers employed by a registered charity or not-for-profit corporation providing services to clients of the organization may be eligible for a significantly reduced insurance rate pursuant to LAWPRO’s designated agency program. More information can be found on LAWPRO's website at https://www.lawpro.ca.
Link to By-Law
Part VI of By-Law 7 - Services Delivered by Lawyers and Paralegals through Civil Society Organizations
Questions
Questions about how registered charities and not-for-profit corporations register with the Law Society as Civil Society Organizations should be directed to Compliance Services by contacting the Law Society at 416-947-3315 (toll-free 1-800-668-7390 ext. 3315) and asking to be transferred, or by email at compliance@lso.ca.
Accessibility
The Law Society of Ontario is committed to ensuring that our websites and web applications are accessible for people with disabilities. We have also made efforts to make Law Society documents accessible to everyone. If you need any of our documents or forms in an alternate format that is accessible to you, please contact the department listed on our website as responsible for the document/form or email lawsociety@lso.ca with details about what document/form you need.
Registered Civil Society Organizations
The following list of registered charities and not-for-profit organizations are registered as Civil Society Organizations with the Law Society of Ontario:
Ecojustice Canada Society
www.ecojustice.ca
Registration Date: July 12, 2019
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Family Service Toronto
www.familyservicetoronto.org
Registration Date: July 26, 2019
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CCHR Canadian Centre for Housing Rights/
Centre Canadien du Droit au Logement
www.housingrightscanada.com
Registration Date: August 23, 2019
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Housing Help/Aide Logement
www.action-logement.ca
Registration Date: September 12, 2019
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National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)
www.nccm.ca
Registration Date: October 24, 2019
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CCLA Canadian Civil Liberties Association
www.ccla.org
Registration Date: November 11, 2019
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Canadian Centre for Torture Victims
www.ccvt.org
Registration Date: March 25, 2020
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Pathways Employment Help Centre
www.pathwaysehc.ca
Registration Date: August 28, 2020
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Community Justice Collective
www.cjclaw.org
Registration Date: September 10, 2020
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Centre des services communautaires de Vanier/
Vanier Community Service Centre
www.cscvanier.com
Registration Date: October 12, 2020
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TalentLift
www.talentlift.ca
Registration Date: May 4, 2021
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Lakehead University, Newcomer Legal Clinic
www.newcomerlegal.ca
Registration Date: August 19, 2021
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CCM Toronto Centre Legal Clinic
www.legalclinic.ccmcanada.org
Registration Date: October 7, 2021
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The Democracy Fund
www.thedemocracyfund.ca
Registration Date: October 29, 2021
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AEL Advocacy
www.aeladvocacy.ca
Registration Date: December 13, 2021
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First Freedoms Foundation
www.firstfreedoms.ca
Registration Date: January 10, 2022
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Midaynta Community Services
www.midaynta.com
Registration Date: January 21, 2022
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Hope City Church Brampton
www.hopecitybrampton.com
Registration Date: June 13, 2022
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Luke's Place
www.lukesplace.ca
Registration Date: June 14, 2022
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Black Legal Action Centre
www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca
Registration Date: June 30, 2022
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Charter Advocates Canada
www.charteradvocates.ca
Registration Date: January 6, 2023
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Action-Logement/Action Housing
www.action-logement.ca
Registration Date: February 7, 2023
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Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes (AOcVF)
www.aocvf.ca
Registration Date: February 27, 2023
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Legal Advocates for Nature's Defence
www.naturesdefence.ca
Registration Date: May 3, 2023
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The Inclusive Commons
Registration Date: October 6, 2023
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Canadian Constitution Foundation
www.theccf.ca
Registration Date: October 20, 2023
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Community Counselling & Resource Centre
www.ccrc-ptbo.com
Registration Date: March 19, 2024
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COMPASS Refugee Centre
www.compassrefugee.ca
Registration Date: April 30, 2024
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This list was last updated on April 30, 2024