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Mobility and Inter-jurisdictional Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs are intended to provide you with an overview to the provisions respecting mobility. The questions and answers are intended as a guide only. Lawyers seeking to exercise temporary or permanent mobility in Ontario should read the applicable by-laws. In the event of discrepancy between these FAQs and the by-laws, the by-laws apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
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28. I am a Quebec lawyer with only a civil law degree. Can I apply for permanent transfer under the National Mobility Agreement?
Yes, you are eligible to apply of permanent transfer and become licensed in Ontario with only a civil law degree. Quebec lawyers who qualify under the mobility rules are no longer required to obtain a common law degree or Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation.
On April 22, 2021, the Law Society of Ontario approved amendments to By-Law 4 to permit Quebec lawyers to become licensed in Ontario subject to the same conditions as lawyers from other Provinces. This means that Quebec lawyers (other than lawyers who qualified for membership in the Barreau du Québec under the Entente entre le Québec et la France en matière de reconnaissance mutuelle des qualifications professionnelles) can apply for licensing under the National Mobility Agreement.
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29. What are the requirements and steps for Quebec lawyers to be called to the Ontario bar?
Quebec lawyers who wish to become licensed in Ontario can now apply for permanent transfer under the National Mobility Agreement. (See above) The permanent transfer application process consists of the following:
- submitting a completed application form and supporting documents, including an application fee of $1450 + HST;
- reviewing reading materials on substantive common law topics (approximately 1500 pages) and submitting a reading declaration confirming that you have reviewed and understood the reading materials and applicable LSO rules and requirements; and
- becoming licensed through an administrative call to the Ontario bar.
After you become licensed in Ontario, membership fees and LAWPRO insurance will apply. Fees will be prorated if you become licensed after January 1st of the calendar year. For general questions about membership status options and/or fee categories, you can contact Membership Services at records@lso.ca.
Information about the permanent transfer process is available on the Permanent Transfer Under the NMA or TMA page.
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30. I am a Quebec lawyer currently registered for the barrister and solicitor exams. Do I still have to write them?
Quebec lawyers are now eligible to become licensed in Ontario without writing the barrister and solicitor exams. If you have already registered for the exams, you have the option of withdrawing from the exams and applying for permanent transfer to be licensed in Ontario under the National Mobility Agreement.
If you wish to withdraw from the licensing exams, you must contact the Licensing department directly and ask to withdraw.
If you wish to apply for permanent transfer under the National Mobility Agreement, you must complete and submit the required application and supporting documents to Compliance Services. Information about the permanent transfer process is available on the Permanent Transfer Under the NMA or TMA page.
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31. Does the permanent transfer application fee include fees for professional liability insurance in Ontario for Quebec lawyers?
After you become licensed in Ontario, LAWPRO insurance will apply. You may be eligible for an insurance exemption based on your individual circumstances. You will need to contact LAWPRO to determine what insurance and/or insurance exemptions you may be eligible for.
For more information about LAWPRO including their contact information, please visit their website at www.lawpro.ca.
Quebec Mobility Frequently Asked Questions
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28. I am a Quebec lawyer with only a civil law degree. Can I apply for permanent transfer under the National Mobility Agreement?
Yes, you are eligible to apply of permanent transfer and become licensed in Ontario with only a civil law degree. Quebec lawyers who qualify under the mobility rules are no longer required to obtain a common law degree or Certificate of Qualification from the National Committee on Accreditation.
On April 22, 2021, the Law Society of Ontario approved amendments to By-Law 4 to permit Quebec lawyers to become licensed in Ontario subject to the same conditions as lawyers from other Provinces. This means that Quebec lawyers (other than lawyers who qualified for membership in the Barreau du Québec under the Entente entre le Québec et la France en matière de reconnaissance mutuelle des qualifications professionnelles) can apply for licensing under the National Mobility Agreement.
-
29. What are the requirements and steps for Quebec lawyers to be called to the Ontario bar?
Quebec lawyers who wish to become licensed in Ontario can now apply for permanent transfer under the National Mobility Agreement. (See above) The permanent transfer application process consists of the following:
- submitting a completed application form and supporting documents, including an application fee of $1450 + HST;
- reviewing reading materials on substantive common law topics (approximately 1500 pages) and submitting a reading declaration confirming that you have reviewed and understood the reading materials and applicable LSO rules and requirements; and
- becoming licensed through an administrative call to the Ontario bar.
After you become licensed in Ontario, membership fees and LAWPRO insurance will apply. Fees will be prorated if you become licensed after January 1st of the calendar year. For general questions about membership status options and/or fee categories, you can contact Membership Services at records@lso.ca.
Information about the permanent transfer process is available on the Permanent Transfer Under the NMA or TMA page.
-
30. I am a Quebec lawyer currently registered for the barrister and solicitor exams. Do I still have to write them?
Quebec lawyers are now eligible to become licensed in Ontario without writing the barrister and solicitor exams. If you have already registered for the exams, you have the option of withdrawing from the exams and applying for permanent transfer to be licensed in Ontario under the National Mobility Agreement.
If you wish to withdraw from the licensing exams, you must contact the Licensing department directly and ask to withdraw.
If you wish to apply for permanent transfer under the National Mobility Agreement, you must complete and submit the required application and supporting documents to Compliance Services. Information about the permanent transfer process is available on the Permanent Transfer Under the NMA or TMA page.
-
31. Does the permanent transfer application fee include fees for professional liability insurance in Ontario for Quebec lawyers?
After you become licensed in Ontario, LAWPRO insurance will apply. You may be eligible for an insurance exemption based on your individual circumstances. You will need to contact LAWPRO to determine what insurance and/or insurance exemptions you may be eligible for.
For more information about LAWPRO including their contact information, please visit their website at www.lawpro.ca.
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