Taking Parental Leave
Congratulations! You’re preparing to take a parental leave! Here is some helpful information:
Parental Leave Assistance Program
The Parental Leave Assistance Program is in place to make it possible for more lawyers to maintain their practice after the birth or adoption of a child.
The goal is to reduce the hardship that arises when a practising lawyer who is a partner in a small firm or a sole practitioner takes parental leave.
The program provides financial benefits to practising lawyers in firms of five lawyers or fewer who do not have access to other maternity, parental, or adoption financial benefits under public or private plans and who meet the eligibility criteria.
Fee Category: Parental Leave
The Law Society makes special provisions for parental leave, which is defined as leave from employment or practice for reasons of maternity, paternity or adoption. Under this policy, lawyers or paralegals may have their fee category reduced to the 25% category for each full calendar month for which parental leave is taken. They can change their status through the Portal or contact Membership Services.
Just a reminder that Parental Leave can cross over into another fee year. Invoices are issued in January and should be paid before the end of March. More information.
CPD Exemptions & Parental Leave
Lawyers and paralegals who are in the 50% and 25% fee-paying categories are automatically exempt from the CPD requirement as long as they do not practise law or provide legal services. Please note: the CPD obligation is pro-rated. For instance, if a licensee is in the 50% or 25% category for half of a year, they are required to complete half of the CPD obligation.
Members who wish to remain in the 100% fee-paying category but will not be able to fulfill the CPD requirement may seek an exemption from the requirement in circumstances falling within the Human Rights Code, such as parental leave or a leave of absence from practice due to illness. Lawyers and paralegals seeking an exemption are required to submit a Member Application and Declaration Form (PDF). More information.
Annual Report Filing
Licensees on parental leave are still required to submit their Annual Report Filing by March 31 of each year. More information.
LAWPRO Exemption
Lawyers on leave may be eligible for exemption from payment of the insurance premium levies. More information is available on this page of the LAWPRO website.
Stay in Contact
Please ensure the Law Society has your correct contact information, so you will continue to receive reminders and notices while you are on leave. If you will not be checking your work email address, please use the Change of Information section of the Portal to indicate the email address you want us to use.
Re-Entry to Private Practice Reviews
The Law Society requires lawyers who have not been providing legal services to the public for 48 months over the past five years, and now intend to practise in a firm of five or fewer lawyers, to undergo a Practice Management Review. More information.