How many days off am I eligible to take during my articling placement?
For the 2024-25 licensing year, the Law Society will recognize a maximum of 10 business days off within an 8-, 9- or 10-month placement. The length of articles will remain the same regardless of if you choose to take the maximum allowable time off.
What is considered time off?
Time off is any day a candidate is not performing articling related duties. These days off are typically vacation days, study days, exam-writing days, or relate to an illness. Statutory Holidays are not considered time off.
I have taken extra days off, what do I do?
If you have taken more than the maximum number of permitted days off during the placement, this time must be added to the end of the articling term, extending your contract/placement by as many business days and must be indicated on the Certificate of Service form by way of an amended end date when the form is submitted to the Licensing and Accreditation Department.
If you have taken time off for reasons related to prolonged illness, family responsibilities, injury or any other grounds deemed compassionate, you may apply for an abridgement based on compassionate grounds.
I have made up the extra time off I took during my placement. Do I still have to record it?
The Law Society sets out the policy of what is considered as time off. The dates listed on your Certificate of Service form are dates agreed upon between you and your articling principal.
Principals are not required to provide a minimum number of vacation days off during an articling placement. The provision of vacation days, sick days and personal days is an employment matter to be agreed upon between a principal and their articling candidate. These should be discussed when negotiating the terms of the articling placement employment.