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Complaints about sexual misconduct: FAQs

We recognize that it may be difficult to raise your concerns about sexual misconduct. 

The Law Society of Ontario regulates the conduct of lawyers and paralegals in Ontario and requires persons that are applying to become lawyers and paralegals to be of good character before issuing licences.

If you have made a complaint or are considering whether to make a complaint about sexual misconduct by a person regulated by the Law Society, please read the FAQs below.

  • What is sexual misconduct?

    Sexual misconduct refers to unwanted communications and actions of a sexual nature. It can include words (spoken or written), gestures, touching and sexual assault. 

  • I want to make a complaint about sexual misconduct. How do I do that?

    Call our confidential telephone line at 416-947-3456 or toll-free at 1-888-226-1814.

    You can leave your number and trained staff will return your call within 24 to 48 hours.

    The person who answers the phone will explain the Law Society’s complaint process so that you know what to expect. 

    If you would like to file a complaint, it will be taken over the telephone using the same telephone number.

    Our staff are trained to address your questions and concerns with care and sensitivity.

  • Can I speak to the Law Society anonymously about sexual misconduct?

    You can contact us anonymously to make general inquiries about a sexual misconduct concern. Law Society staff are here to listen to you without the disclosure of your identity or the identity of the regulated person.

    While Law Society staff can speak to you on a no-names basis to answer your questions about the complaints process, the Law Society will not be able to proceed to an investigation based on an anonymous complaint. 

  • Who would know that I made a sexual misconduct complaint?

    Information about complaints is strictly confidential and we recognize that these types of complaints are very personal. The information you may provide will not be disclosed to anyone except as required under the Law Society Act. 

    During an investigation, information you provide may be given to the person you are complaining about if they need the information to respond to the issues.

    If the matter proceeds to a hearing, the person is entitled to disclosure which may include, among other things, our notes, communications, any transcripts that may be made and any documents that you may have provided. You may also be called to testify.

    If the hearing results in a publicly available decision, the Law Society can protect your identity from being made public through the Law Society Tribunal’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. 

    Although the Law Society can protect your identity from being made public, your identity will be known to the person you are complaining about.

  • Will I have to testify?

    This depends on whether we gather sufficient evidence to proceed with a hearing in relation to your complaint and the complaint cannot be appropriately addressed without a hearing.

  • Why report a concern about sexual misconduct?

    Coming forward with sexual misconduct concerns is difficult. There may be many reasons why you might be worried about doing so. There are, however, important reasons to consider reporting what happened to the Law Society.

    • Public protection: Incidents of sexual misconduct are often not isolated. Coming forward could mean preventing an incident from occurring again.
    • Awareness: We can only learn about sexual misconduct from people who make complaints.
    • Your own sense of closure: If you have been the victim of sexual misconduct by a regulated person, knowing there is an investigation and potential consequences may play a role in your healing process.
  • What will happen to the person that I am complaining about?

    There are several possible outcomes. If there is not enough evidence to prove misconduct with the necessary certainty, the file could be closed with no further action by the Law Society. If there is enough evidence to prove the allegations, the Law Society’s approach will depend on how much evidence we gather and the type of evidence we have. These outcomes can include:

    • writing to the person to tell them the Law Society’s concerns about their conduct
    • meeting with the person to discuss the Law Society’s concerns about their conduct and that this type of conduct cannot happen again.


    If the evidence demonstrates serious misconduct, the case can be referred for hearing.

  • Do I need my own legal representative?

    You are not required to have a legal representative to assist you through the Law Society's investigation and/or hearing of your complaint. While the Law Society will not be representing you, we will meet with you to get details of what happened and explain the process as the case progresses. You may, however, wish to consider getting legal advice regarding your complaint and any other proceedings that you are or could be involved in. 

    If for any reason you require the advice of a lawyer or paralegal regarding any of those proceedings, you could contact the Discrimination and Harassment Counsel. They will provide advice, but they will not represent you at a hearing. If you want additional assistance in the proceedings, we can refer you to the Law Society Referral Service.

  • What if the person tries to get back at me?

    While this is unlikely, if it does happen, it is very important for you to let us know about it immediately.  This may also be something that you should consider reporting to police. If the threat is immediate, consider your immediate safety and call 9-1-1 and report the event to police. 

    Retaliation by a person regulated by the Law Society against a person making a complaint is not something that will be tolerated and may lead to further regulatory action.

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