Candidate Supports
The following supports are available to candidates who are registered in the Law Society’s Licensing Process:
Accommodations
Candidates may request accommodation in the Lawyer Licensing Process or the Paralegal Licensing Process based on a ground listed in the Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19. The Law Society can provide accommodations to candidates for the Licensing Examinations and, for Lawyer Licensing Process candidates, for the Call to the Bar ceremony. Candidates seeking accommodation must review the Law Society’s Policy and Procedures for Accommodations for Candidates in the Lawyer and Paralegal Licensing Processes. Additional information about Accommodations, including information regarding how to make a request, can be found on the Accommodations page.
Financial Assistance
The Law Society offers the following programs to assist candidates registered in the Licensing Process with payment of their licensing fees:
Repayable Allowance Program
Monthly Payment Plan
Scholarships
Additional information about how to apply for financial assistance can be found on the Financial Assistance page.
Provincial Financial Assistance Programs
The following are a couple of provincial programs that are directed at providing financial and employment assistance by the Government of Ontario. This is not a complete list. Other programs may be available.
Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
If you don’t have enough money for food and housing, or if you have a disability and are in financial need, you can apply for financial and employment assistance through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
Information about how to apply for financial assistance through Ontario Works or the ODSP can be found on the Ontario Works and ODSP website.
Soldiers’ Aid Commission
The Soldiers’ Aid Commission provides financial assistance to Ontario’s eligible Veterans and their families in financial need. The commission may provide up to $2,000 to an eligible veteran and their families over a 12-month period per household.
The commission will consider applications for financial assistance for Ontario’s eligible Veterans and their families in several categories, including the provision of financial assistance for employment-related supports to remove barriers to employment, or improve employability for veterans and their families.
Information about how to apply for financial assistance from Soldiers’ Aid Commission can be found on the Soldiers’ Aid Commission website
Tutoring
The Law Society provides access to tutoring from experienced members of the profession for those candidates who have been unsuccessful with the Licensing Examinations. Additional information for candidates and tutors can be found on the Tutoring page.
Discrimination and Harassment Counsel Service
As part of the Law Society of Ontario's efforts to enable equity and diversity in the workplace and the profession and to help stop discrimination and harassment, the Law Society provides a Discrimination and Harassment Counsel service free-of-charge to the Ontario public, lawyers and paralegals. The Discrimination and Harassment Counsel confidentially assists anyone who may have experienced discrimination or harassment by a lawyer or paralegal.
Preventing and Addressing Harassment and Discrimination:
Information and Resources for Candidates in the Licensing Process
Member Assistance Program
The Member Assistance Program (MAP) is provided by Homewood Health to all lawyers, paralegals, law students, paralegal students and judges in Ontario, as well as their family members. It is a fully confidential service funded by the Law Society of Ontario.