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Experiential Training

Candidates should note that, despite what is set out elsewhere, as a result of COVID-19, for those commencing an articling placement between May 1, 2020, and April 30, 2025, the minimum length of the required articling placement is eight months and the maximum length is ten months. 

If you are a candidate who is entering or currently registered in the Law Society’s Lawyer Licensing Process, you may choose from two experiential training paths: the Articling Program or the Law Practice Program (LPP). You must complete either the LPP or the Articling Program to satisfy the experiential training component of the Lawyer Licensing Process, or otherwise be exempted from the requirement by completing a recognized IPC program or are approved for an exemption by the Law Society of Ontario. Both pathways are based on supporting the fulfillment of the  experiential training competencies for candidates, established by the Law Society. 

If you select the Articling Program, you must complete a placement with an approved principal to gain practical legal skills in preparation for entry-level practice.

If you select the LPP, you must complete the training course and a work placement. The program runs from late August until the end of April. Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly known as Ryerson University) provides the English program, and the University of Ottawa provides the French program.

If you have completed the Integrated Practice Curriculum as part of your J.D./L.LB, you will have satisfied the experiential training component of the Lawyer Licensing Process and are not required to complete the Articling Program or the LPP. If you have been called to the bar in another common law jurisdiction and you have practiced law for at least ten months in that jurisdiction, you may be eligible for an exemption from the experiential training component.

For Candidates

  • Articling Program
    The Articling Program is one pathway to obtain the required experiential training to be licensed to practice law in Ontario. For more information please see the Articling Program page.
  • Law Practice Program

    The Law Practice Program (LPP) is one pathway to obtain the required experiential training to be licensed to practice law in Ontario. For more information please see the Law Practice Program page.

  • Exemption from the Experiential Training Program
    If you have at least 10 months of common law practice experience and meet the criteria outlined in the Lawyer Licensing Process Policies, you may qualify for an exemption from the experiential training program. For more information please see Apply for Articling Exemption from the Experiential Training Program.

    Candidates who have completed an Integrated Practice Curriculum as part of their J.D./L.LB, will have satisfied the experiential training component of the Lawyer Licensing Process and are not required to complete the Articling Program or the LPP.

For Lawyers

  • Lawyers seeking to become Principals and existing Principals
    Articling principals are responsible for the supervision of licensing candidates throughout their articles. If you are interested in becoming a principal, please review  Becoming a Principal and apply well in advance of any supervision/articling activities with an articling candidate. For further information on the requirements and expectations of acting as a principal, please review  Articling Principals.
  • Supervising a candidate who is awaiting their call to the bar
    Lawyers may supervise licensing candidates who have already completed their experiential training program (articles or an LPP work placement), but who have not yet been called to the bar. To do so, the lawyer and licensing candidate must file a Supervision Agreement with the Law Society for approval, before the supervision takes place. Supervision Agreements will generally be considered for a period of up to six months and are intended to be on a short-term basis until the candidate becomes eligible for the next applicable call to the bar ceremony or administrative call. 
     
  • Supervising Lawyers for National and International Articling Placement
    Lawyers may supervise licensing candidates in national and international articling placements. This may be done where the supervising lawyer is called to the bar in another jurisdiction where they are in good standing, or by an approved principal who will not be providing the articling candidate with an experience that substantially deals with the laws and practices applicable to the practice of law in the Province of Ontario. Both national and international placements must be approved in advance by the Licensing and Accreditation Department at the Law Society of Ontario. To apply, an  “Application for a National or International Articling Placement” must be filled out and submitted to the Licensing and Accreditation Department.
  • Lawyers who wish to serve as mentors to candidates who are seeking articles
    Lawyers who may be interested in assisting licensing candidates but cannot offer articles, may act as mentors. In this capacity, the mentor lawyer would provide advice, guidance, and encouragement to the licensing candidate in their search for an articling placement. If you are interested please fill out the Mentor Enrolment Form.
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