text:
Law Society Tribunal
CPD Programs
Great Library
LSRS
Lawyer/Paralegal Directory
Certified Specialist Directory
Law Society Gazette
LAWPRO
Osgoode Hall Restaurant
Show Mobile Navigation Navigate back to the homepage A A A Site Search
Navigate back to the homepage
About LSO Submenu
Governance Submenu
Teresa Donnelly, Law Society Treasurer
Diana Miles, Chief Executive Officer
CEO & Senior Management Team
Bencher Election 2019
Governance Practices and Policies
Legislation & Rules Submenu
Law Society Act
Paralegal Rules of Conduct
Paralegal Professional Conduct Guidelines
Guidelines for Suspended Lawyers and Paralegals
Guidelines for Lawyers and Paralegals with Revoked Licences
Permitted Criminal Code Summary Conviction Offences for Regulated Agents
Convocation Submenu
Initiatives Submenu
Anti-Money Laundering Requirements
Civil Society Organizations
Contingency Fee Reforms
Family Law Action Plan
Human Rights Monitoring Group
Lawyer experiential training program enhancements
Short-term pro bono legal services rules
Technology Task Force
Access to Innovation Submenu
About A2I
A2I Team
The Action Group (TAG)
Medals, Awards and Honours Submenu
Law Society Awards
Honorary LLD
Nominations and Selection Process
Osgoode Hall and Ontario's Legal Heritage Submenu
Osgoode Hall
Collections and Research
Help Us Make History
Careers Submenu
Applying to the Law Society
Working with the Law Society
Osgoode Hall Restaurant Submenu
Contact us Submenu
About LSO
News & Events Submenu
Latest News Submenu
Latest News: 2022
Events Submenu
Media Room Submenu
LSO FAQs and Fact Sheets
Current Consultations Submenu
Public Resources Submenu
Choosing the Right Legal Professional Submenu
Preparing to meet your lawyer or paralegal
Seeking legal help? Protect yourself.
About Paralegals
Finding a Lawyer or Paralegal Submenu
Lawyer and Paralegal Directory
Law Society Referral Service
Directory of Certified Specialists
Protecting the Public Submenu
Locating a Will, Legal File or Document Submenu
Resources For Families or Representatives of Deceased or Incapacitated Licensees Submenu
Unclaimed Trust Fund Submenu
Steps to Justice Submenu
Abuse and Family Violence
Debt and Consumer Rights
Employment and Work
Income Assistance
Tribunals and Courts
Help from Lawyers and Paralegals
Your Law Submenu
Certified Specialist Program
Family Law - Custody and child support
Family Law - Spousal support and property
Wills and Small Claims
Legal Resources Submenu
You speak French - know your rights Submenu
Complaints Submenu
Complaints about Legal Fees
FAQs about the Complaints Process
Complaints Information for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) Peoples
Judicial and Tribunal Complaints Protocol
Complaints against LSO Benchers, Employees and Licensee Adjudicators
Office of the Complaints Resolution Commissioner
Process for Reporting Criminal or Illegal Activity
Information for Licensees Submenu
If You Are the Subject of a Complaint
Administrative Suspension and Reinstatement for Lawyers
Administrative Suspension and Reinstatement for Paralegals
Working or Associating with a Former or Suspended Licensee
Discrimination and Harassment Counsel
Guidelines for Law Office Searches
Locating a Will, Legal File or Document
Unclaimed Trust Fund
Resources For Families or Representatives of Deceased or Incapacitated Licensees
Current Regulatory Actions Submenu
Current Proceedings
Compensation Fund Submenu
Claim Guidelines
Taking Action against Illegal Practitioners Submenu
Regulatory Meetings Submenu
Becoming Licensed Submenu
Lawyer Licensing Process Submenu
How do I become a lawyer in Ontario?
Prerequisites for Admission
Licensing Process Policies
Good Character Requirement
Licensing Examinations
Rights of Appearance
Articling Candidates
Articling Principals
Law Practice Program
Call to the Bar
Candidate Supports
Office of the Fairness Commissioner
Paralegal Licensing Process Submenu
How do I become a Paralegal in Ontario?
Paralegal Candidate Login
Paralegal Licensing
Paralegal Education Program Accreditation
Your Source Submenu
Lawyers Submenu
Paralegals Submenu
Law Society Portal
Practice Supports & Resources Submenu
Coach and Advisor Network (CAN)
Equity Supports & Resources
Practice Management Guidelines
Practice Management Topics
Practice Area Resources
Practice Management Helpline
About Your Licence Submenu
Manage Your Licence
Annual Reports, Fees and Insurance
Practice Review
Spot Audit
Communication Accommodation
Taking Parental Leave
Enhancing Competence & CPD Submenu
Continuing Professional Development Requirement
Competence News and Resources
CPD Presenter Resource Centre
Lawyers from Outside Ontario Submenu
Mobility and Inter-jurisdictional Frequently Asked Questions
Foreign Legal Consultants
Permanent Transfer Under the NMA or TMA
Temporary Practice Permit Under the NMA
Occasional Practice Permit for Lawyers from the Territories (and certain Quebec lawyers)
Canadian Legal Advisor Certificate for Quebec Notaries
Paralegal Regulation Resources
Paralegal Practice Audits
Apply for CPD Accreditation
COVID-19 Response Corporate Statement, Updates & FAQs Learn More
Dismiss this alert
Lawyers Show or hide this menu section
Your Source
Practice Supports & Resources Show or hide this menu section
Coach and Advisor Network (CAN) Show or hide this menu section
Request Time with a Coach or Advisor
Apply to be a Coach or Advisor
CAN FAQ
CAN Volunteer Roster
CAN Community
Equity Supports & Resources Show or hide this menu section
Contract Registry
Disability Initiatives
Equity Advisory Group
Equity Legal Education Series
French Language Initiatives
Indigenous Advisory Group
Model Policies & Guides
Parental Leave Assistance Program
The Justicia Project
Contact Us (Equity)
Practice Management Guidelines Show or hide this menu section
Client Service and Communication
Closing Down Your Practice
Financial Management Guideline
Practice Management Topics Show or hide this menu section
Practice Management COVID-19 FAQ
Opening, Operating or Closing a Practice
The Lawyer-Client Relationship
Technology Practice Tips
Practice Area Resources Show or hide this menu section
Practice Management Helpline Show or hide this menu section
Practice Management Helpline Frequently Asked Questions
About Your Licence Show or hide this menu section
Manage Your Licence Show or hide this menu section
Information for New Lawyers
Lawyer Forms
Apply for a Photo ID Card
Change your Status or Address
Join or Update Your Law Society Referral Service Subscription
How to Surrender Your Licence
Administrative Suspension and Reinstatement of Lawyers
Licensing Following Surrender or Revocation of Lawyer Licence
Obtain a Certificate of Standing
Obtain a Status Letter
Application to Restore Your Licence from Abeyance
Appeals from Summary Orders
Annual Reports, Fees and Insurance Show or hide this menu section
Fee Categories
Annual Fee Explanatory Notes
Practice Insurance (LAWPRO)
Exemption from Annual Fee and Report
Over 65 (Retired) Annual Fee and Exemption from the Requirement to File the Annual Report
Submit the Annual Report Filing
Reporting Mixed Trust Accounts
Practice Review Show or hide this menu section
Frequently Asked Questions - Practice Management Review
Lawyer Basic Management Checklist
Lawyer Practice Management Review Resource List
Bookkeeping Guide for Lawyers
Enhancing Competence & CPD Show or hide this menu section
Continuing Professional Development Requirement Show or hide this menu section
Document Your Activity
Activities Not Eligible for CPD
Eligible Educational Activities
Professionalism Case Studies
CPD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
Report Your CPD Hours
Failure to Comply
Changes to the CPD Requirement
CPD Accreditation Show or hide this menu section
Accredited Provider Application
Communication Guidelines for Providers
Accredited Provider Framework
List of Accredited Providers of Professionalism Content
Accreditation Updates for CPD Providers
Competence News and Resources Show or hide this menu section
Treasurer's Blog
CPD Presenter Resource Centre Show or hide this menu section
Planning the Program
During the Program
Preparing PowerPoint Slideshows
Presenting Your Material
Teaching Professionalism
Common Pitfalls When Presenting
Important Information for Presenters
Expense Policy for Presenters
Lawyers from Outside Ontario Show or hide this menu section
Paralegals Show or hide this menu section
The Paralegal-Client Relationship
Information for New Paralegals
Paralegal Forms
Administrative Suspension and Reinstatement of Paralegals
Obtain a Certificate Update Letter
Licensing Following Surrender or Revocation of Paralegal Licence
Paralegal Insurance
Paralegal Practice Audits Show or hide this menu section
Frequently Asked Questions - Practice Audit
Paralegal Basic Management Checklist
Paralegal Resource List
Bookkeeping Guide for Paralegals
Search CPD Articles (AccessCLE)
Paralegal Update
CPD Accreditation for Providers (PDF)
About LSO Show or hide this menu section
Governance Show or hide this menu section
Benchers Show or hide this menu section
Elected Lawyer Benchers Inside Toronto
Elected Lawyer Benchers Outside Toronto
Elected Paralegal Benchers
Appointed Benchers
Ex-Officio and Honorary Benchers
Legislation & Rules Show or hide this menu section
Rules of Professional Conduct Show or hide this menu section
Complete Rules of Professional Conduct
Paralegal Rules of Conduct Show or hide this menu section
Complete Paralegal Rules of Conduct
Convocation Show or hide this menu section
2022 Show or hide this menu section
Initiatives Show or hide this menu section
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Show or hide this menu section
Human Rights and Diversity Policy
Requirement to Acknowledge Human Rights Laws
Family Law Action Plan Show or hide this menu section
FLSP Call for Comment
FLSP Request for Information
Technology Task Force Show or hide this menu section
Call for Advisory Council
Access to Innovation Show or hide this menu section
Medals, Awards and Honours Show or hide this menu section
Law Society Awards Show or hide this menu section
The Law Society Medal
The William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award
The Lincoln Alexander Award
The Laura Legge Award
The J. Shirley Denison Award
Human Rights Award
Osgoode Hall and Ontario's Legal Heritage Show or hide this menu section
Osgoode Hall Show or hide this menu section
Osgoode Hall Through the Years
Archives Show or hide this menu section
Overview of the Archival Collection
Archives Services
Exhibits Show or hide this menu section
Historical Vignettes
Collections and Research Show or hide this menu section
Archives Description Database
Treasurers and Benchers of the Law Society
Help Us Make History Show or hide this menu section
How to donate material
Memoir Writing Project
Careers Show or hide this menu section
Working with the Law Society Show or hide this menu section
Call For Expressions
Recommendations for External Appointments Application
Contact us Show or hide this menu section
News & Events Show or hide this menu section
Latest News Show or hide this menu section
Events Show or hide this menu section
Media Room Show or hide this menu section
Public Resources Show or hide this menu section
Choosing the Right Legal Professional Show or hide this menu section
Finding a Lawyer or Paralegal Show or hide this menu section
Steps to Justice Show or hide this menu section
Your Law Show or hide this menu section
You speak French - know your rights
Protecting the Public Show or hide this menu section
Complaints Show or hide this menu section
Office of the Complaints Resolution Commissioner Show or hide this menu section
Request for Review - Complaints Resolution Commissioner
CRC Review Information Page
Information for Licensees Show or hide this menu section
Current Regulatory Actions Show or hide this menu section
Compensation Fund Show or hide this menu section
Taking Action against Illegal Practitioners
Regulatory Meetings
Becoming Licensed Show or hide this menu section
Lawyer Licensing Process Show or hide this menu section
Application for Admission Show or hide this menu section
Completing the Licensing Process Application
Fees and Forms Show or hide this menu section
Billing and Payment Information
Examination Registration and Deferral Information
Dates to Remember Show or hide this menu section
2021-22 Lawyer Candidates
Registration Show or hide this menu section
2021-2022 Licensing
Good Character Requirement Show or hide this menu section
Good Character Investigation
Licensing Examinations Show or hide this menu section
Registration and Scheduling
Licensing Examination Overview
Examination Deadlines and Dates
Rules and Protocol
Guide to Licensing Examinations
Examination Supports
Sample Examination
Pre-examination Check
On Examination Day
Candidate Agreement
Examination Tips
Entry-Level Barrister Competencies
Entry-Level Solicitor Competencies
Rights of Appearance Show or hide this menu section
Rights of Appearance for Law Students
Articling Candidates Show or hide this menu section
Finding a Placement
Beginning a Placement
During a Placement
Ending a Placement
Reducing the length of a Placement
Articling Program Reporting Tool
Articling Principals Show or hide this menu section
Becoming a Principal
Finding a Candidate
Filing and Reporting
Teaching and Mentoring Candidates
Addressing Challenges
Are you Acting as a Proxy for an Articling Principal?
Law Practice Program Show or hide this menu section
Candidate Supports Show or hide this menu section
Policy and Procedures for Accommodations
Paralegal Licensing Process Show or hide this menu section
Completing the Paralegal Licensing Process Application
Licensing Examination Registration and Deferral Information
2021-22 Paralegal Candidates
2021-22 Licensing
Entry-Level Paralegal Competencies
Paralegal Education Program Accreditation Show or hide this menu section
Accreditation Policy
Audit Policy and Framework
FAQs for Paralegal Education Programs
FAQs for Students
Your Source Show or hide this menu section
Great Library Show or hide this menu section
About Us Show or hide this menu section
Library Services Show or hide this menu section
Cataloguing Services Show or hide this menu section
Monograph & Serials Reporting
Cataloguing Request Manual for County & District Law Libraries
Creating Persistent Links to AdvoCAT Catalogue Records or Searches
KF Modified Classification Guide
Document Delivery Service for Law Society Licensees Show or hide this menu section
Access to the Law Policy and Guidelines
eResources Show or hide this menu section
eResources License Agreements
Other Sites Show or hide this menu section
Home About LSO Legislation & Rules Rules of Professional Conduct Chapter 3
Print Version Download page as PDF
3.1 Competence
3.2 Quality of Service
Legal Services Under a Limited Scope Retainer
Honesty and Candour
Language Rights
When Client is an Organization
Encouraging Compromise or Settlement
Threatening Penal or Regulatory Proceedings
Dishonesty, Fraud, etc. by Client or Others
Red Flags in Real Estate Transactions
Dishonesty, Fraud, etc. When Client is an Organization
Client with Diminished Capacity
Medical-Legal Reports
Title Insurance in Real Estate Conveyancing
Reporting on Mortgage Transactions
3.3 Confidentiality
Justified or Permitted Disclosure
3.4 Conflicts
Duty to Avoid Conflicts of Interest
Joint Retainers
Acting Against Former Clients
Affiliations Between Lawyers and Affiliated Entities
Acting for Borrower and Lender
Multi-Disciplinary Practice
Pro Bono and Other Short-term Legal Services
Lawyers Acting for Transferor and Transferee in Transfers of Title
Conflicts from Transfer Between Law Firms
Interpretation and Application of Rule
Law Firm Disqualification
Transferring Lawyer Disqualification
Lawyer Due Diligence for Non-Lawyer Staff
Transactions with Clients
Guarantees by a Lawyer
Payment for Legal Services
Gifts and Testamentary Instruments
Judicial Interim Release
3.5 Preservation of Client's Property
Preservation of Client's Property
Notification of Receipt of Property
Identifying Client's Property
Accounting and Delivery
3.6 Fees and Disbursements
Reasonable Fees and Disbursements
Civil Society Organization Clients
Contingency Fees and Contingency Fee Agreements
Joint Retainer
Division of Fees
Exception for Multi-discipline Practices and Interprovincial and International Law Firms
Payment and Appropriation of Funds
3.7 Withdrawal from Representation
Withdrawal from Representation
Optional Withdrawal
Non-Payment of Fees
Withdrawal from Criminal Proceedings
Mandatory Withdrawal
Leaving a Law Firm
Manner of Withdrawal
Duty of Successor Licensee
Chapter 3 Relationship to Clients
SECTION 3.1 COMPETENCE
3.1-1 In this rule,
"competent lawyer" means a lawyer who has and applies relevant knowledge, skills and attributes in a manner appropriate to each matter undertaken on behalf of a client including
[Amended - October 2014]
(a) knowing general legal principles and procedures and the substantive law and procedure for the areas of law in which the lawyer practises,
[Amended - June 2007]
(b) investigating facts, identifying issues, ascertaining client objectives, considering possible options, and developing and advising the client on appropriate courses of action,
(c) implementing, as each matter requires, the chosen course of action through the application of appropriate skills, including;
(i) legal research
(ii) analysis,
(iii) application of the law to the relevant facts,
(iv) writing and drafting,
(v) negotiation,
(vi) alternative dispute resolution,
(vii) advocacy, and
(viii) problem-solving,
(d) communicating at all relevant stages of a matter in a timely and effective manner;
(e) performing all functions conscientiously, diligently, and in a timely and cost- effective manner;
(f) applying intellectual capacity, judgment, and deliberation to all functions;
(g) complying in letter and in spirit with all requirements pursuant to the Law Society Act;
(h) recognizing limitations in one's ability to handle a matter or some aspect of it, and taking steps accordingly to ensure the client is appropriately served;
(i) managing one's practice effectively;
(j) pursuing appropriate professional development to maintain and enhance legal knowledge and skills; and
(k) otherwise adapting to changing professional requirements, standards, techniques, and practices.
3.1-2 A lawyer shall perform any legal services undertaken on a client's behalf to the standard of a competent lawyer.
[1] As a member of the legal profession, a lawyer is held out as knowledgeable, skilled, and capable in the practice of law. Accordingly, the client is entitled to assume that the lawyer has the ability and capacity to deal adequately with all legal matters to be undertaken on the client's behalf.
[2] Competence is founded upon both ethical and legal principles. This rule addresses the ethical principles. Competence involves more than an understanding of legal principles; it involves an adequate knowledge of the practice and procedures by which such principles can be effectively applied. To accomplish this, the lawyer should keep abreast of developments in all areas of law in which the lawyer practises.
[3] In deciding whether the lawyer has employed the requisite degree of knowledge and skill in a particular matter, relevant factors will include
(a) the complexity and specialized nature of the matter;
(b) the lawyer's general experience;
(c) the lawyer's training and experience in the field;
(d) the preparation and study the lawyer is able to give the matter; and
(e) whether it is appropriate or feasible to refer the matter to, or associate or consult with, a licensee of established competence in the field in question.
[4] In some circumstances, expertise in a particular field of law may be required; often the necessary degree of proficiency will be that of the general practitioner.
[5] A lawyer should not undertake a matter without honestly feeling competent to handle it, or being able to become competent without undue delay, risk, or expense to the client. This is an ethical consideration and is distinct from the standard of care that a tribunal would invoke for purposes of determining negligence.
[6] A lawyer must recognize a task for which the lawyer lacks competence and the disservice that would be done to the client by undertaking that task. If consulted about such a task, the lawyer should
(a) decline to act;
(b) obtain the client's instructions to retain, consult, or collaborate with a licensee who is competent for that task; or
(c) obtain the client's consent for the lawyer to become competent without undue delay, risk or expense to the client.
[7] The lawyer should also recognize that competence for a particular task may require seeking advice from or collaborating with experts in scientific, accounting, or other non-legal fields, and, in such a situation, when it is appropriate, the lawyer should not hesitate to seek the client's instructions to consult experts.
[7A] When a lawyer considers whether to provide legal services under a limited scope retainer, he or she must carefully assess in each case whether, under the circumstances, it is possible to render those services in a competent manner. An agreement to provide such services does not exempt a lawyer from the duty to provide competent representation. As in any retainer, the lawyer should consider the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation. The lawyer should ensure that the client is fully informed of the nature of the arrangement and clearly understands the scope and limitation of the services. See also rules 3.2-1A to 3.2-1A.2.
[8] A lawyer should clearly specify the facts, circumstances, and assumptions on which an opinion is based, particularly when the circumstances do not justify an exhaustive investigation and the resultant expense to the client. However, unless the client instructs otherwise, the lawyer should investigate the matter in sufficient detail to be able to express an opinion rather than mere comments with many qualifications. A lawyer should only provide his or her legal opinion to a client when it is the legal opinion that the lawyer holds and it is provided to the standard of a competent lawyer.
[Amended - September 2017]
[8.1] What is effective communication with the client will vary depending on the nature of the retainer, the needs and sophistication of the client and the need for the client to make fully informed decisions and provide instructions.
[9] A lawyer should be wary of providing unreasonable or over-confident assurances to the client, especially when the lawyer's employment or retainer may depend upon advising in a particular way.
[10] In addition to opinions on legal questions, the lawyer may be asked for or may be expected to give advice on non-legal matters such as the business, economic, policy, or social complications involved in the question or the course the client should choose. In many instances the lawyer's experience will be such that the lawyer's views on non-legal matters will be of real benefit to the client. The lawyer who expresses views on such matters should, if necessary and to the extent necessary, point out any lack of experience or other qualification in the particular field and should clearly distinguish legal advice from other advice.
[11] In a multi-discipline practice, a lawyer must ensure that the client is made aware that the legal advice from the lawyer may be supplemented by advice or services from a non-licensee. Advice or services from non-licensee members of the firm unrelated to the retainer for legal services must be provided independently of and outside the scope of the legal services retainer and from a location separate from the premises of the multi-discipline practice. The provision of non-legal advice or services unrelated to the legal services retainer will also be subject to the constraints outlined in the relevant by-laws and regulations governing multi-discipline practices.
[11.1] Lawyers who provide legal services through civil society organizations to clients are required to control the delivery of legal services. The lawyer should take care to:
(a)act on behalf of the client's interest;
(b) advise the client honestly and candidly about the nature, extent and scope of the services that the lawyer can provide through the civil society organization; and
(c) avoid conflicts of interest between the client and the civil society organization.
[11.2]Where other services are provided through the civil society organization, or where the lawyer's services are provided together with other services, the lawyer should take care to protect client confidentiality and privilege, and should only disclose client confidential or privileged information with client consent, or as required by law.
[12] The requirement of conscientious, diligent, and efficient service means that a lawyer should make every effort to provide timely service to the client. If the lawyer can reasonably foresee undue delay in providing advice or services, the client should be so informed, so that the client can make an informed choice about their options, such as whether to retain new counsel.
[13] The lawyer should refrain from conduct that may interfere with or compromise their capacity or motivation to provide competent legal services to the client and be aware of any factor or circumstance that may have that effect.
[14] A lawyer who is incompetent does the client a disservice, brings discredit to the profession and may bring the administration of justice into disrepute. In addition to damaging the lawyer's own reputation and practice, incompetence may also injure the lawyer's partners and associates.
[15] Incompetence, Negligence and Mistakes - This rule does not require a standard of perfection. An error or omission, even though it might be actionable for damages in negligence or contract, will not necessarily constitute a failure to maintain the standard of professional competence described in the rule. While damages may be awarded for negligence, incompetence can give rise to the additional sanction of disciplinary action.
[15.1] The Law Society Act provides that a lawyer fails to meet standards of professional competence if there are deficiencies in
(a) the lawyer's knowledge, skill, or judgment,
(b) the lawyer's attention to the interests of clients,
(c) the records, systems, or procedures of the lawyer's professional business, or
(d) other aspects of the lawyer's professional business,
and the deficiencies give rise to a reasonable apprehension that the quality of service to clients may be adversely affected.
[Amended - June 2009, October 2014]
SECTION 3.2 QUALITY OF SERVICE
3.2-1 A lawyer has a duty to provide courteous, thorough and prompt service to clients. The quality of service required of a lawyer is service that is competent, timely, conscientious, diligent, efficient and civil.
[New - October 2014]
[1] This rule should be read and applied in conjunction with the rules in Section 3.1 regarding competence.
[2] An ordinarily or otherwise competent lawyer may still occasionally fail to provide an adequate quality of service.
[3] to [5] [FLSC - not in use]
[6] A lawyer should meet deadlines, unless the lawyer is able to offer a reasonable explanation and ensure that no prejudice to the client will result. Whether or not a specific deadline applies, a lawyer should be prompt in handling a matter, responding to communications and reporting developments to the client. In the absence of developments, contact with the client should be maintained to the extent the client reasonably expects.
[Amended - May 2016]
3.2-1A Before providing legal services under a limited scope retainer, a lawyer shall advise the client honestly and candidly about the nature, extent and scope of the services that the lawyer can provide, and, where appropriate, whether the services can be provided within the financial means of the client.
3.2-1A.1 When providing legal services under a limited scope retainer, a lawyer shall confirm the services in writing and give the client a copy of the written document when practicable to do so.
[1] Reducing to writing the discussions and agreement with the client about the limited scope retainer assists the lawyer and client in understanding the limitations of the service to be provided and any risks of the retainer.
[1.1] In certain circumstances, such as when the client is in custody, it may not be possible to give him or her a copy of the document. In this type of situation, the lawyer should keep a record of the limited scope retainer in the client file and, when practicable, provide a copy of the document to the client.
[2] A lawyer who is providing legal services under a limited scope retainer should be careful to avoid acting such that it appears that the lawyer is providing services to the client under a full retainer.
[3] [FLSC - not in use]
[4] A lawyer who is providing legal services under a limited scope retainer should consider how communications from opposing counsel in a matter should be managed. See rule 7.2-6A and rules 7.2-8 to 7.2-8.2.
[5.1] A lawyer should ordinarily confirm with the client in writing when the limited scope retainer is complete. Where appropriate under the rules of the tribunal, the lawyer may consider providing notice to the tribunal that the retainer is complete.
[5.2] In addition to the requirements of Rule 3.2-9, a lawyer who is asked to provide legal services under a limited scope retainer to a client who has diminished capacity to make decisions should carefully consider and assess in each case if, under the circumstances, it is possible to render those services in a competent manner.
[5.3] Where the limited services being provided include an appearance before a tribunal, a lawyer must be careful not to mislead the tribunal as to the scope of the retainer, and should consider whether disclosure of the limited nature of the retainer is required by the rules of practice or the circumstances.
[5.4] A lawyer should also consider whether the existence of a limited scope retainer should be disclosed to the tribunal or to an opposing party or, if represented, to an opposing party's counsel and whether the lawyer should obtain instructions from the client to make the disclosure.
3.2-1A.2 Rule 3.2-1A.1 does not apply to a lawyer if the legal services are
(a) legal services or summary advice provided as a duty counsel under the Legal Aid Services Act, 1998 or through any other duty counsel or other advisory program operated by a not-for-profit organization;
(b) summary advice provided in community legal clinics, student clinics or under the Legal Aid Services Act, 1998;
(c) summary advice provided through a telephone-based service or telephone hotline operated by a community-based or government funded program;
(d) summary advice provided by the lawyer to a client in the context of an introductory consultation, where the intention is that the consultation, if the client so chooses, would develop into a retainer for legal services for all aspects of the legal matter; or
(e) pro bono summary legal services provided in a non-profit or court-annexed program.
[New - September 2011]
[1] The consultation referred to in rule 3.2-1A.2(d) may include advice on preventative, protective, pro-active or procedural measures relating to the client's legal matter, after which the client may agree to retain the lawyer.
3.2-2 When advising clients, a lawyer shall be honest and candid.
[1.1] A lawyer has a duty of candour with the client on matters relevant to the retainer. This arises out of the rules and the lawyer's fiduciary obligations to the client. The duty of candour requires a lawyer to inform the client of information known to the lawyer that may affect the interests of the client in the matter.
[1.2] In some limited circumstances, it may be appropriate to withhold information from a client. For example, with client consent, a lawyer may act where the lawyer receives information on a "for counsel's eyes only" basis. However, it would not be appropriate to act for a client where the lawyer has relevant material information about that client received through a different retainer. In those circumstances the lawyer cannot be honest and candid with the client and should not act.
[2] The lawyer's duty to the client who seeks legal advice is to give the client a competent opinion based on a sufficient knowledge of the relevant facts, an adequate consideration of the applicable law, and the lawyer's own experience and expertise. The advice must be open and undisguised and must clearly disclose what the lawyer honestly thinks about the merits and probable results.
[2.1] A lawyer who is acting for both the borrower and the lender in a mortgage or loan transaction should also refer to rule 3.4-15 regarding the lawyer's duty of disclosure to their clients.
3.2-2A A lawyer shall, when appropriate, advise a client of the client's language rights, including the right to use.
(i) the official language of the client's choice; and
(ii) a language recognized in provincial or territorial legislation as a language in which a matter may be pursued, including, where applicable, aboriginal languages.
3.2-2B If a client proposes to use a language of his or her choice, and the lawyer is not competent in that language to provide the required services, the lawyer shall not undertake the matter unless he or she is otherwise able to competently provide those services and the client consents in writing.
[1] The lawyer should advise the client of the client's language rights as soon as possible.
[2] The choice of language is that of the client not the lawyer. The lawyer should be aware of relevant statutory and constitutional law relating to language rights including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s. 19(1) and Part XVII of the Criminal Code regarding language rights in courts under federal jurisdiction and in criminal proceedings. The lawyer should also be aware that provincial or territorial legislation may provide additional language rights, including in relation to aboriginal languages.
[3] When a lawyer considers whether to provide the required services in the language chosen by the client, the lawyer should carefully consider whether it is possible to render those services in a competent manner as required by Rule 3.1-2 and related Commentary.
[New - June 2015]
When Client an Organization
3.2-3 Notwithstanding that the instructions may be received from an officer, employee, agent or representative, when a lawyer is employed or retained by an organization, including a corporation, in exercising the lawyer's duties and in providing professional services, the lawyer shall act for the organization.
[1] A lawyer acting for an organization should keep in mind that the organization, as such, is the client and that a corporate client has a legal personality distinct from its shareholders, officers, directors, and employees. While the organization or corporation will act and give instructions through its officers, directors, employees, members, agents, or representatives, the lawyer should ensure that it is the interests of the organization that are to be served and protected. Further, given that an organization depends upon persons to give instructions, the lawyer should ensure that the person giving instructions for the organization is acting within that person's actual or ostensible authority.
[2] In addition to acting for the organization, the lawyer may also accept a joint retainer and act for a person associated with the organization. An example might be a lawyer advising about liability insurance for an officer of an organization. In such cases the lawyer acting for an organization should be alert to the prospects of conflicts of interest and should comply with the rules about the avoidance of conflicts of interest (Section 3.4, Conflicts).
[New - March 2004]
3.2-4 A lawyer shall advise and encourage the client to compromise or settle a dispute whenever it is possible to do so on a reasonable basis and shall discourage the client from commencing or continuing useless legal proceedings.
[1] It is important to consider the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR). When appropriate, the lawyer should inform the client of ADR options and, if so instructed, take steps to pursue those options.
[1.1] In criminal, quasi-criminal or regulatory complaint proceedings, it is not improper for a lawyer for an accused or potential accused to communicate with a complainant or potential complainant to obtain factual information, arrange for restitution or an apology from an accused, or defend or settle any civil matters between the accused and the complainant. See also rule 7.2-6.
[1.2] When the complainant or potential complainant is unrepresented, the lawyer should have regard to the rules respecting unrepresented persons and make it clear that the lawyer is acting exclusively in the interests of the accused. If the complainant or potential complainant is vulnerable, the lawyer should take care not to take unfair or improper advantage of the circumstances. When communicating with an unrepresented complainant or potential complainant, it is prudent to have a witness present.
3.2-5 A lawyer shall not, in an attempt to gain a benefit for a client, threaten, or advise a client to threaten, without reasonable and lawful justification:
(a) to initiate or proceed with a charge for an offence, including an offence under
(i) the Criminal Code or any other statute of Canada;
(ii) a statute of a province or territory of Canada; or
(iii) a municipal by-law; or
(b) to make a complaint to a regulatory authority.
[Amended - February 2017]
[1] It is an abuse of the process of a court or, ordinarily, a regulatory authority to threaten to make or advance a charge or complaint in order to secure the satisfaction of a private grievance. Even if a client has a legitimate entitlement to be paid monies, threats to take penal action are not appropriate.
[2] It is not improper, however, to notify the appropriate authority of conduct that may attract penal or regulatory consequences while also taking steps through the civil system. Nor is it improper for a lawyer to request that another lawyer comply with an undertaking or trust condition or other professional obligation or face being reported to the Law Society. The impropriety stems from threatening to use penal or regulatory proceedings for unintended purposes.
[3] A complaint to a regulatory authority is justified if it is reasonable and lawful, for example when a regulatory process is intended to provide redress or a remedy to individuals for the matter complained of.
3.2-6 [FLSC - not in use]
3.2-7 A lawyer shall not
(a) knowingly assist in or encourage any dishonesty, fraud, crime, or illegal conduct;
(b) do or omit to do anything that the lawyer ought to know assists in, encourages or facilitates any dishonesty, fraud, crime, or illegal conduct by a client or any other person; or
(c) advise a client or any other person on how to violate the law and avoid punishment.
[Amended - October 2014, September 2017]
3.2-7.1 - Deleted
[Deleted - September 2017]
3.2-7.2 When retained by a client, a lawyer shall make reasonable efforts to ascertain the purpose and objectives of the retainer and to obtain information about the client necessary to fulfill this obligation.
3.2-7.3 A lawyer shall not use their trust account for purposes not related to the provision of legal services.
[Amended - April 2011]
[1] Rule 3.2-7 which states that a lawyer must not knowingly assist in or encourage dishonesty, fraud, crime or illegal conduct, applies whether the lawyer's knowledge is actual or in the form of wilful blindness or recklessness. A lawyer should also be on guard against becoming the tool or dupe of an unscrupulous client or persons associated with such a client or any other person. Rules 3.2-7.2 to 3.2-7.3 speak to these issues.
[2] A lawyer should be alert to and avoid unwittingly becoming involved with a client or any other person who is engaged in criminal activity such as mortgage fraud or money laundering. Vigilance is required because the means for these and other criminal activities may be transactions for which lawyers commonly provide services such as
(a) establishing, purchasing or selling business entities;
(b) arranging financing for the purchase or sale or operation of business entities;
(c) arranging financing for the purchase or sale of business assets; and
(d) purchasing and selling real estate.
[3] To obtain information about the client and about the subject matter and objectives of the retainer, the lawyer may, for example, need to verify who are the legal or beneficial owners of property and business entities, verify who has the control of business entities, and clarify the nature and purpose of a complex or unusual transaction where the purpose is not clear. The lawyer should make a record of the results of these inquiries. It is especially important to obtain this information where a lawyer has suspicions or doubts about whether he or she might be assisting a client or any other person in dishonesty, fraud, crime or illegal conduct.
[3.1] Lawyers should be vigilant in identifying the presence of "red flags" in their areas of practice and make inquiries to determine whether a proposed retainer relates to a bona fide transaction. Information on " Red Flags in Real Estate Transactions" appears below.
[3.2] A client or another person may attempt to use a lawyer's trust account for improper purposes, such as hiding funds, money laundering or tax sheltering. These situations highlight the fact that when handling trust funds, it is important for a lawyer to be aware of their obligations under these rules and the Law Society's by-laws that regulate the handling of trust funds.
[4] A bona fide test case is not necessarily precluded by rule 3.2-7 and, so long as no injury to the person or violence is involved, a lawyer may properly advise and represent a client who, in good faith and on reasonable grounds, desires to challenge or test a law and the test can most effectively be made by means of a technical breach giving rise to a test case. In all situations, the lawyer should ensure that the client appreciates the consequences of bringing a test case.
[4.1] A lawyer representing any party in a real estate transaction should be vigilant in identifying the presence of "red flags" and make inquiries to determine whether it is a bona fide transaction. Red flags include such things as
(a) purchase price manipulations (revealed by, for example, deposits purportedly paid directly to the vendor, price escalations and "flips" in which a property is sold and re-sold within a short period of time for a substantially higher price, reductions in the balance due on closing in consideration of extra credits or deposits not required by the purchase agreement, amendments to the purchase price not disclosed to the mortgage lender, the acceptance on closing of an amount less than the balance due, a mortgage advance which approximates or exceeds the balance due resulting in surplus mortgage proceeds, and so on);
(b) a nominal role for one or more parties (fraud is sometimes effected through the use of "straw people", who may not exist or whose identities have either been purchased or stolen, as well as through the suspicious use of powers of attorney);
(c) the purchaser contributes no funds or only a nominal amount towards the purchase price or the balance due on closing;
(d) signs that the parties are concealing a non-arm's length relationship or are colluding with respect to the purchase price;
(e) suspicious or repeated third-party involvement (for example, giving instructions, supplying client directions or identification, and providing or receiving funds on closing); and
(f) the proceeds of sale are disbursed or directed to be paid to parties who are unrelated to the transaction.
[4.2] The red flags listed above are not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding red flags is available from many sources, including the "Fighting Real Estate Fraud" page within the "Practice Resources" section of the website of the Law Society. Fraudulent real estate schemes and the red flags associated with such schemes are numerous and evolving. Lawyers who practise real estate law have a professional obligation therefore to educate themselves on an ongoing basis regarding the red flags of real estate fraud.
Dishonesty, Fraud, etc. when Client an Organization
3.2-8 A lawyer who is employed or retained by an organization to act in a matter in which the lawyer knows that the organization has acted, is acting or intends to act dishonestly, fraudulently, criminally or illegally, shall do the following, in addition to their obligations under rule 3.2-7:
(a) advise the person from whom the lawyer takes instructions and the chief legal officer, or both the chief legal officer and the chief executive officer, that the conduct is, was or would be dishonest, fraudulent, criminal, or illegal and should be stopped;
(b) if necessary because the person from whom the lawyer takes instructions, the chief legal officer or the chief executive officer refuses to cause the conduct to be stopped, advise progressively the next highest persons or groups, including ultimately, the board of directors, the board of trustees, or the appropriate committee of the board, that the conduct was, is or would be dishonest, fraudulent, criminal, or illegal and should be stopped; and
(c) if the organization, despite the lawyer's advice, continues with or intends to pursue the wrongful conduct, withdraw from acting in the matter in accordance with rules in Section 3.7.
[1] The past, present, or intended misconduct of an organization may have harmful and serious consequences, not only for the organization and its constituency but also for the public, who rely on organizations to provide a variety of goods and services. In particular, the misconduct of publicly traded commercial and financial corporations may have serious consequences for the public at large. This rule addresses some of the professional responsibilities of a lawyer acting for an organization, including a corporation, when he or she learns that the organization has acted, is acting, or proposes to act in a way that is dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or illegal. In addition to these rules, the lawyer may need to consider, for example, the rules and commentary about confidentiality (Section 3.3)
[2] This rule speaks of conduct that is dishonest, fraudulent, criminal or illegal
[3] Such conduct includes acts of omission. Indeed, often it is the omissions of an organization, such as failing to make required disclosure or to correct inaccurate disclosures that constitute the wrongful conduct to which these rules relate. Conduct likely to result in substantial harm to the organization, as opposed to genuinely trivial misconduct by an organization, invokes this rule.
[4] In determining their responsibilities under this rule, a lawyer should consider whether it is feasible and appropriate to give any advice in writing.
[5] A lawyer acting for an organization who learns that the organization has acted, is acting, or intends to act in a wrongful manner may advise the chief executive officer and shall advise the chief legal officer of the misconduct. If the wrongful conduct is not abandoned or stopped, the lawyer shall report the matter "up the ladder" of responsibility within the organization until the matter is dealt with appropriately. If the organization, despite the lawyer's advice, continues with the wrongful conduct, the lawyer shall withdraw from acting in the particular matter in accordance with rule 3.7-1. In some but not all cases, withdrawal means resigning from their position or relationship with the organization and not simply withdrawing from acting in the particular matter.
[6] This rules recognizes that lawyers as the legal advisers to organizations are in a central position to encourage organizations to comply with the law and to advise that it is in the organizations' and the public's interest that organizations do not violate the law. Lawyers acting for organizations are often in a position to advise the executive officers of the organization, not only about the technicalities of the law, but also about the public relations and public policy concerns that motivated the government or regulator to enact the law. Moreover, lawyers for organizations, particularly in-house counsel, may guide organizations to act in ways that are legal, ethical, reputable, and consistent with the organization's responsibilities to its constituents and to the public.
3.2-9 When a client's ability to make decisions is impaired because of minority, mental disability, or for some other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as reasonably possible, maintain a normal lawyer and client relationship.
[1] A lawyer and client relationship presupposes that the client has the requisite mental ability to make decisions about their legal affairs and to give the lawyer instructions. A client's ability to make decisions, however, depends on such factors as their age, intelligence, experience, and mental and physical health, and on the advice, guidance, and support of others. Further, a client's ability to make decisions may change, for better or worse, over time.
[1.1] When a client is or comes to be under a disability that impairs their ability to make decisions, the impairment may be minor or it might prevent the client from having the legal capacity to give instructions or to enter into binding legal relationships. Recognizing these factors, the purpose of this rule is to direct a lawyer with a client under a disability to maintain, as far as reasonably possible, a normal lawyer and client relationship.
[3] A lawyer with a client under a disability should appreciate that if the disability of the client is such that the client no longer has the legal capacity to manage their legal affairs, the lawyer may need to take steps to have a lawfully authorized representative appointed, for example, a litigation guardian, or to obtain the assistance of the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee or the Office of the Children's Lawyer to protect the interests of the client. In any event, the lawyer has an ethical obligation to ensure that the client's interests are not abandoned.
[5] When a lawyer takes protective action on behalf of a person or client lacking in capacity, the authority to disclose necessary confidential information may be implied in some circumstances. (See Commentary under rule 3.3-1 (Confidentiality) for a discussion of the relevant factors). If the court or other counsel becomes involved, the lawyer should inform them of the nature of the lawyer's relationship with the person lacking capacity.
3.2-9.1 A lawyer who receives a medical-legal report from a physician or health professional that is accompanied by a proviso that it not be shown to the client shall return the report immediately to the physician or health professional unless the lawyer has received specific instructions to accept the report on this basis.
[1] The lawyer can avoid some of the problems anticipated by the rule by having a full and frank discussion with the physician or health professional, preferably in advance of the preparation of a medical-legal report, which discussion will serve to inform the physician or health professional of the lawyer's obligation respecting disclosure of medical-legal reports to the client.
3.2-9.2 A lawyer who receives a medical-legal report from a physician or health professional containing opinions or findings that if disclosed might cause harm or injury to the client shall attempt to dissuade the client from seeing the report, but if the client insists, the lawyer shall produce the report.
3.2-9.3 Where a client insists on seeing a medical-legal report about which the lawyer has reservations for the reasons noted in rule 3.2-9.2, the lawyer shall suggest that the client attend at the office of the physician or health professional to see the report in order that the client will have the benefit of the expertise of the physician or health professional in understanding the significance of the conclusion contained in the medical-legal report.
3.2-9.4 A lawyer shall assess all reasonable options to assure title when advising a client about a real estate conveyance and shall advise the client that title insurance is not mandatory and is not the only option available to protect the client's interests in a real estate transaction.
[1] A lawyer should advise the client of the options available to protect the client's interests and minimize the client's risks in a real estate transaction. The lawyer should be cognizant of when title insurance may be an appropriate option. Although title insurance is intended to protect the client against title risks, it is not a substitute for a lawyer's services in a real estate transaction.
[2] The lawyer should be knowledgeable about title insurance and discuss with the client the advantages, conditions, and limitations of the various options and coverages generally available to the client through title insurance. Before recommending a specific title insurance product, the lawyer should be knowledgeable about the product and take such training as may be necessary in order to acquire the knowledge.
3.2-9.5 A lawyer shall not receive any compensation, whether directly or indirectly, from a title insurer, agent or intermediary for recommending a specific title insurance product to their client.
3.2-9.6 A lawyer shall disclose to the client that no commission or fee is being furnished by any insurer, agent, or intermediary to the lawyer with respect to any title insurance coverage.
[1] The fiduciary relationship between lawyer and client requires full disclosure in all financial dealings between them and prohibits the acceptance of any hidden fees by the lawyer, including the lawyer's law firm, any employee or associate of the firm, or any related entity.
3.2-9.7 If discussing TitlePLUS insurance with a client, a lawyer shall fully disclose the relationship between the legal profession, the Law Society, and the Lawyers' Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO).
3.2-9.8 Where a lawyer acts for a lender and the loan is secured by a mortgage on real property, the lawyer shall provide a final report on the transaction, together with the duplicate registered mortgage, to the lender within 60 days of the registration of the mortgage, or within such other time period as instructed by the lender.
3.2-9.9 The final report required by rule 3.2-9.8 must be delivered within the times set out in that rule even if the lawyer has paid funds to satisfy one or more prior encumbrances to ensure the priority of the mortgage as instructed and the lawyer has obtained an undertaking to register a discharge of the encumbrance or encumbrances but the discharge remains unregistered.
[New - February 2007]
SECTION 3.3 CONFIDENTIALITY
3.3-1 A lawyer at all times shall hold in strict confidence all information concerning the business and affairs of the client acquired in the course of the professional relationship and shall not divulge any such information unless
(a) expressly or impliedly authorized by the client;
(b) required by law or by order of a tribunal of competent jurisdiction to do so;
(c) required to provide the information to the Law Society; or
(d) otherwise permitted by rules 3.3-2 to 3.3-6.
[1] A lawyer cannot render effective professional service to the client unless there is full and unreserved communication between them. At the same time, the client must feel completely secure and entitled to proceed on the basis that, without any express request or stipulation on the client's part, matters disclosed to or discussed with the lawyer will be held in strict confidence.
[2] This rule must be distinguished from the evidentiary rule of lawyer and client privilege, which is also a constitutionally protected right, concerning oral or documentary communications passing between the client and the lawyer. The ethical rule is wider and applies without regard to the nature or source of the information or the fact that others may share the knowledge.
[3] A lawyer owes the duty of confidentiality to every client without exception and whether or not the client is a continuing or casual client. The duty survives the professional relationship and continues indefinitely after the lawyer has ceased to act for the client, whether or not differences have arisen between them.
[4] A lawyer also owes a duty of confidentiality to anyone seeking advice or assistance on a matter invoking a lawyer's professional knowledge, although the lawyer may not render an account or agree to represent that person. A solicitor and client relationship is often established without formality. A lawyer should be cautious in accepting confidential information on an informal or preliminary basis, since possession of the information may prevent the lawyer from subsequently acting for another party in the same or a related matter. (See Section 3.4 Conflicts.)
[5] Generally, unless the nature of the matter requires such disclosure, a lawyer should not disclose having been:
(a) retained by a person about a particular matter; or
(b) consulted by a person about a particular matter, whether or not the lawyer-client relationship has been established between them.
[6] A lawyer should take care to avoid disclosure to one client of confidential information concerning or received from another client and should decline employment that might require such disclosure.
[7] Sole practitioners who practise in association with other licensees in cost-sharing, space- sharing or other arrangements should be mindful of the risk of advertent or inadvertent disclosure of confidential information, even if the lawyers institute systems and procedures that are designed to insulate their respective practices. The issue may be heightened if a lawyer in the association represents a client on the other side of a dispute with the client of another licensee in the association. Apart from conflict of interest issues such a situation may raise, the risk of such disclosure may depend on the extent to which the licensees' practices are integrated, physically and administratively, in the association.
[8] A lawyer should avoid indiscreet conversations, even with the lawyer's spouse or family, about a client's affairs and should shun any gossip about such things even though the client is not named or otherwise identified. Similarly, a lawyer should not repeat any gossip or information about the client's business or affairs that is overheard or recounted to the lawyer. Apart altogether from ethical considerations or questions of good taste, indiscreet shop-talk between lawyers, if overheard by third parties able to identify the matter being discussed, could result in prejudice to the client. Moreover, the respect of the listener for lawyers and the legal profession will probably be lessened.
[8.1] Although the rule may not apply to facts that are public knowledge, nevertheless, the lawyer should guard against participating in or commenting on speculation concerning the client's affairs or business.
[9] In some situations, the authority of the client to disclose may be inferred. For example, some disclosure may be necessary in court proceedings, in a pleading or other court document. Also, it is implied that a lawyer may, unless the client directs otherwise, disclose the client's affairs to partners and associates in the law firm and, to the extent necessary, to administrative staff and to others whose services are used by the lawyer. But this implied authority to disclose places the lawyer under a duty to impress upon associates, employees, and students and other licensees engaged under contract with the lawyer or with the firm of the lawyer the importance of non-disclosure (both during their employment and afterwards) and requires the lawyer to take reasonable care to prevent their disclosing or using any information that the lawyer is bound to keep in confidence.
[10] The client's authority for the lawyer to disclose confidential information to the extent necessary to protect the client's interest may also be inferred in some situations where the lawyer is taking action on behalf of the person lacking capacity to protect the person until a legal representative can be appointed. In determining whether a lawyer may disclose such information, the lawyer should consider all circumstances, including the reasonableness of the lawyer's belief that the person lacks capacity, the potential harm that may come to the client if no action is taken, and any instructions the client may have given to the lawyer when capable of giving instructions about the authority to disclose information. Similar considerations apply to confidential information given to the lawyer by a person who lacks the capacity to become a client but nevertheless requires protection.
[11] A lawyer may have an obligation to disclose information under rules 5.5-2, 5.5-3 and 5.6-3 (Security of Court Facilities). If client information is involved in those situations, the lawyer should be guided by the provisions of this rule.
[11.1] The fiduciary relationship between a lawyer and a client forbids the lawyer or a third person from benefiting from the lawyer's use of a client's confidential information. If a lawyer engages in literary works, such as a memoir or autobiography, the lawyer is required to obtain the client's or former client's consent before disclosing confidential information.
3.3-1.1 When required by law or by order of a tribunal of competent jurisdiction, a lawyer shall disclose confidential information, but the lawyer shall not disclose more information than is required.
3.3-3 A lawyer may disclose confidential information, but must not disclose more information than is required, when the lawyer believes on reasonable grounds that there is an imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm, and disclosure is necessary to prevent the death or harm.
[1] Confidentiality and loyalty are fundamental to the relationship between a lawyer and a client because legal advice cannot be given and justice cannot be done unless clients have a large measure of freedom to discuss their affairs with their lawyers. However, in some very exceptional situations identified in this rule, disclosure without the client's permission might be warranted because the lawyer is satisfied that truly serious harm of the types identified is imminent and cannot otherwise be prevented. These situations will be extremely rare.
[2] The Supreme Court of Canada has considered the meaning of the words "serious bodily harm" in certain contexts, which may inform a lawyer in assessing whether disclosure of confidential information is warranted. In Smith v. Jones, [1999] 1 S.C.R. 455 at paragraph 83, the Court observed that serious psychological harm may constitute serious bodily harm if it substantially interferes with the health or well-being of the individual.
[3] In assessing whether disclosure of confidential information is justified to prevent death or serious bodily harm, a lawyer should consider a number of factors, including
(a) the likelihood that the potential injury will occur and its imminence;
(b) the apparent absence of any other feasible way to prevent the potential injury; and
(c) the circumstances under which the lawyer acquired the information of the client's intent or prospective course of action.
[4] How and when disclosure should be made under this rule will depend upon the circumstances. A lawyer who believes that disclosure may be warranted should seek legal advice. When practicable, a judicial order may be sought for disclosure.
[5] If confidential information is disclosed under rule 3.3-3, the lawyer should prepare a written note as soon as possible, which should include:
(a) the date and time of the communication in which the disclosure is made;
(b) the grounds in support of the lawyer's decision to communicate the information, including the harm intended to be prevented, the identity of the person who prompted communication of the information as well as the identity of the person or group of persons exposed to the harm; and
(c) the content of the communication, the method of communication used and the identity of the person to whom the communication was made.
[5.1] A lawyer employed or retained to act for an organization, including a corporation, confronts a difficult problem about confidentiality when he or she becomes aware that the organization may commit a dishonest, fraudulent, criminal, or illegal act. This problem is sometimes described as the problem of whether the lawyer should "blow the whistle" on their employer or client. Although the rules make it clear that the lawyer shall not knowingly assist or encourage any dishonesty, fraud, crime, or illegal conduct (rule 3.2-7) and provide a rule for how a lawyer should respond to conduct by an organization that was, is or may be dishonest, fraudulent, criminal, or illegal (rule 3.2-8), it does not follow that the lawyer should disclose to the appropriate authorities an employer's or client's proposed misconduct. Rather, the general rule, as set out above, is that the lawyer shall hold the client's information in strict confidence, and this general rule is subject to only a few exceptions. Assuming the exceptions do not apply, there are, however, several steps that a lawyer should take when confronted with the difficult problem of proposed misconduct by an organization. The lawyer should recognize that their duties are owed to the organization and not to the officers, employees, or agents of the organization (rule 3.2-3)) and the lawyer should comply with rule 3.2-8, which sets out the steps the lawyer should take in response to proposed, past or continuing misconduct by the organization.
[Amended - March 2004]
3.3-4 If it is alleged that a lawyer or the lawyer's associates or employees
(a) have committed a criminal offence involving a client's affairs;
(b) are civilly liable with respect to a matter involving a client's affairs;
(c) have committed acts of professional negligence; or
(d) have engaged in acts of professional misconduct or conduct unbecoming a lawyer, the lawyer may disclose confidential information in order to defend against the allegations, but shall not disclose more information than is required.
3.3-5 A lawyer may disclose confidential information in order to establish or collect the lawyer's fees, but the lawyer shall not disclose more information than is required.
3.3-6 A lawyer may disclose confidential information to another lawyer to secure legal advice about the lawyer's proposed conduct.
3.3-7 A lawyer may disclose confidential information to the extent reasonably necessary to detect and resolve conflicts of interest arising from the lawyer's change of employment or from changes in the composition or ownership of a law firm, but only if the information disclosed does not compromise the solicitor-client privilege or otherwise prejudice the client.
[1] As a matter related to clients' interests in maintaining a relationship with counsel of choice and protecting client confidences, lawyers in different firms may need to disclose information to each other to detect and resolve conflicts of interest, such as when a lawyer is considering an association with another firm, two or more firms are considering a merger, or a lawyer is considering the purchase of a law practice.
[2] In these situations (see Rules 3.4-17 to 3.4-23 on Conflicts From Transfer Between Law Firms), rule 3.3-7 permits lawyers and law firms to disclose limited information. This type of disclosure would only be made once substantive discussions regarding the new relationship have occurred.
[3] This exchange of information between the firms needs to be done in a manner consistent with the transferring lawyer's and new firm's obligations to protect client confidentiality and privileged information and avoid any prejudice to the client. It ordinarily would include no more than the names of the persons and entities involved in a matter. Depending on the circumstances, it may include a brief summary of the general issues involved, and information about whether the representation has come to an end.
[4] The disclosure should be made to as few lawyers at the new law firm as possible, ideally to one lawyer of the new firm, such as a designated conflicts lawyer. The information should always be disclosed only to the extent reasonably necessary to detect and resolve conflicts of interest that might arise from the possible new relationship.
[5] As the disclosure is made on the basis that it is solely for the use of checking conflicts where lawyers are transferring between firms and for establishing screens, the disclosure should be coupled with an undertaking by the new law firm to the former law firm that it will:
(a) limit access to the disclosed information;
(b) not use the information for any purpose other than detecting and resolving conflicts; and
(c) return, destroy, or store in a secure and confidential manner the information provided once appropriate confidentiality screens are established.
[6] The client's consent to disclosure of such information may be specifically addressed in a retainer agreement between the lawyer and client. In some circumstances, however, because of the nature of the retainer, the transferring lawyer and the new law firm may be required to obtain the consent of clients to such disclosure or to the disclosure of any further information about the clients. This is especially the case where disclosure would compromise solicitor-client privilege or otherwise prejudice the client (e.g., the fact that a corporate client is seeking advice on a corporate takeover that has not been publicly announced; that a person has consulted a lawyer about the possibility of divorce before the person's intentions are known to the person's spouse; or that a person has consulted a lawyer about a criminal investigation that has not led to a public charge).
SECTION 3.4 CONFLICTS
3.4-1 A lawyer shall not act or continue to act for a client where there is a conflict of interest, except as permitted under the rules in this Section.
[1] As defined in rule 1.1-1, a conflict of interest exists when there is a substantial risk that a lawyer's loyalty to or representation of a client would be materially and adversely affected by the lawyer's own interest or the lawyer's duties to another client, a former client, or a third person. Rule 3.4-1 protects the duties owed by lawyers to their clients and the lawyer-client relationship from impairment as a result of a conflicting duty or interest. A client's interests may be seriously prejudiced unless the lawyer's judgment and freedom of action on the client's behalf are as free as possible from conflicts of interest.
[2] In addition to the duty of representation arising from a retainer, the law imposes other duties on the lawyer, particularly the duty of loyalty. The duty of confidentiality, the duty of candour and the duty of commitment to the client's cause are aspects of the duty of loyalty. This rule protects all of these duties from impairment by a conflicting duty or interest.
[3] A client may be unable to judge whether the lawyer's duties have actually been compromised. Even a well-intentioned lawyer may not realize that performance of his or her duties has been compromised. Accordingly, the rule addresses the risk of impairment rather than actual impairment. The expression "substantial risk" in the definition of "conflict of interest" describes the likelihood of the impairment, as opposed to its nature or severity. A "substantial risk" is one that is significant and plausible, even if it is not certain or even probable that it will occur. There must be more than a mere possibility that the impairment will occur. Except as otherwise provided in Rule 3.4-2, it is for the client and not the lawyer to decide whether to accept this risk.
Personal Interest Conflicts
[4] A lawyer's own interests can impair client representation and loyalty. This can be reasonably obvious, for example, where a lawyer is asked to advise the client in respect of a matter in which the lawyer, the lawyer's partner or associate or a family member has a material direct or indirect financial interest. But other situations may not be so obvious. For example, the judgment of a lawyer who has a close personal relationship, sexual or otherwise, with a client who is in a family law dispute is likely to be compromised. The relationship may obscure whether certain information was acquired in the course of the lawyer and client relationship and may jeopardize the client's right to have all information concerning his or her affairs held in strict confidence. The relationship may in some circumstances permit exploitation of the client by his or her lawyer.
[5] Lawyers should carefully consider their relationships with their clients and the subject matter of the retainer in order to determine whether a conflicting personal interest exists. If the lawyer is a member of a firm and concludes that a conflicting personal interest exists, the conflict is not imputed to the lawyer's firm, but would be cured if another lawyer in the firm who is not involved in such a relationship with the client handled the client's work without the involvement of the conflicted lawyer.
Current Client Conflicts
[6] Duties owed to another current client can also impair client representation and loyalty. Representing opposing parties in a dispute provides a particularly stark example of a current client conflict. Conflicts may also arise in a joint retainer where the jointly represented clients' interests diverge. Acting for more than one client in separate but related matters may risk impairment because of the nature of the retainers. The duty of confidentiality owed to one client may be inconsistent with the duty of candour owed to another client depending on whether information obtained by the lawyer during either retainer would be relevant to both retainers. These are examples of situations where conflicts of interest involving other current clients may arise.
[7] A bright line rule has been developed by the courts to protect the representation of and loyalty to current clients. c.f. Canadian National Railway Co. v. McKercher LLP, [2013] 2 S.C.R. 649. The bright line rule holds that a lawyer cannot act directly adverse to the immediate legal interests of a current client, without the clients' consent. The bright line rule applies even if the work done for the two clients is completely unrelated. The scope of the bright line rule is limited. It provides that a lawyer cannot act directly adverse to the immediate legal interests of a current client. Accordingly, the main area of application of the bright line rule is in civil and criminal proceedings. Exceptionally, the bright line rule does not apply in circumstances where it is unreasonable for a client to expect that the client's law firm will not act against the client in unrelated matters.
[8] The bright line recognizes that the lawyer-client relationship may be irreparably damaged where the lawyer's representation of one client is directly adverse to another client's immediate legal interests. One client may legitimately fear that the lawyer will not pursue the representation out of deference to the other client, and an existing client may legitimately feel betrayed by the lawyer's representation of a client with adverse legal interests. This type of conflict may also arise outside a law partnership, in situations where sole practitioners, who are in space-sharing associations and who otherwise have separate practices, hold themselves out as a law firm and lawyers in the association represent opposite parties to a dispute.
[9] A lawyer should understand that there may be a conflict of interest arising from the duties owed to another current client even if the bright line rule does not apply. In matters involving another current client, lawyers should take care to consider not only whether the bright line rule applies but whether there is a substantial risk of impairment. In either case, there is a conflict of interest.
Former Client Conflicts
[10] Duties owed to a former client, as reflected in Rule 3.4-10, can impair client representation and loyalty. As the duty of confidentiality continues after the retainer is completed, the duty of confidentiality owed to a former client may conflict with the duty of candour owed to a current client if information from the former matter would be relevant to the current matter. Lawyers also have a duty not to act against a former client in the same or a related matter even where the former client's confidential information is not at risk. In order to determine the existence of a conflict of interest, a lawyer should consider whether the representation of the current client in a matter includes acting against a former client.
Conflicts arising from Duties to Other Persons
[11] Duties owed to other persons can impair client representation and loyalty. For example, a lawyer may act as a director of a corporation as well as a trustee. If the lawyer acts against such a corporation or trust, there may be a conflict of interest. But even acting for such a corporation or trust may affect the lawyer's independent judgment and fiduciary obligations in either or both roles, make it difficult if not impossible to distinguish between legal advice from business and practical advice, or jeopardize the protection of lawyer and client privilege. Lawyers should carefully consider the propriety, and the wisdom of wearing "more than one hat" at the same time.
Other Issues To Consider
[12] A lawyer should examine whether a conflict of interest exists not only from the outset but throughout the duration of a retainer because new circumstances or information may establish or reveal a conflict of interest. For example, the addition of new parties in litigation or in a transaction can give rise to new conflicts of interest that must be addressed.
[13] Addressing conflicts may require that other rules be considered, for example
(a) the lawyer's duty of commitment to the client's cause, reflected in Rule 3.7-1, prevents the lawyer from withdrawing from representation of a current client, especially summarily and unexpectedly, in order to circumvent the conflict of interest rules;
(b) the lawyer's duty of candour, reflected in Rule 3.2-2, requires a lawyer or law firm to advise an existing client of all matters relevant to the retainer. Even where a lawyer concludes that there is no conflict of interest in acting against a current client, the duty of candour may require that the client be advised of the adverse retainer in order to determine whether to continue the retainer;
(c) the lawyer's duty of confidentiality, reflected in Rule 3.3-1 and owed to current and former clients, may limit the lawyer's ability to obtain client consent as permitted by Rule 3.4-2 because the lawyer may not be able to disclose the information required for proper consent. Where there is a conflict of interest and consent cannot be obtained for this reason, the lawyer must not act; and
(d) rule 3.4-2 permits a lawyer to act in a conflict in certain circumstances with consent. It is the client, not the lawyer, who is entitled to decide whether to accept risk of impairment of client representation and loyalty. However, Rule 3.4-2 provides that client consent does not permit a lawyer to act where there would be impairment rather than merely the risk of impairment.
[14] These rules set out ethical standards to which all members of the profession must adhere. The courts have a separate supervisory role over court proceedings. In that role, the courts apply fiduciary and other principles developed by the courts to govern lawyers' relationships with their clients, to ensure the proper administration of justice. A breach of the rules on conflicts of interest may lead to sanction by the Law Society even where a court dealing with the case may decline to order disqualification as a remedy.
3.4-2 A lawyer shall not represent a client in a matter when there is a conflict of interest unless there is consent, which must be fully informed and voluntary after disclosure, from all affected clients and the lawyer reasonably believes that he or she is able to represent each client without having a material adverse effect upon the representation of or loyalty to the other client.
Disclosure and consent
[1] Disclosure is an essential requirement to obtaining a client's consent and arises from the duty of candour owed to the client. Where it is not possible to provide the client with adequate disclosure because of the confidentiality of the information of another client, the lawyer must decline to act.
[2] Disclosure means full and fair disclosure of all information relevant to a person's decision in sufficient time for the person to make a genuine and independent decision, and the taking of reasonable steps to ensure understanding of the matters disclosed. The lawyer therefore should inform the client of the relevant circumstances and the reasonably foreseeable ways that the conflict of interest could adversely affect the client's interests. This would include the lawyer's relations to the parties and any interest in or connection with the matter.
[2A] While this rule does not require that a lawyer advise a client to obtain independent legal advice about the conflict of interest, in some cases the lawyer should recommend such advice. This is to ensure that the client's consent is informed, genuine and uncoerced, especially if the client is vulnerable and not sophisticated.
[3] Following the required disclosure, the client can decide whether to give consent. As important as it is to the client that the lawyer's judgment and freedom of action on the client's behalf not be subject to other interests, duties or obligations, in practice this factor may not always be decisive. Instead, it may be only one of several factors that the client will weigh when deciding whether or not to give the consent referred to in the rule. Other factors might include, for example, the availability of another lawyer of comparable expertise and experience, the stage that the matter or proceeding has reached, the extra cost, delay and inconvenience involved in engaging another lawyer, and the latter's unfamiliarity with the client and the client's affairs.
Consent in advance
[4] A lawyer may be able to request that a client consent in advance to conflicts that might arise in the future. As the effectiveness of such consent is generally determined by the extent to which the client reasonably understands the material risks that the consent entails, the more comprehensive the explanation of the types of future representations that might arise and the actual and reasonably foreseeable adverse consequences of those representations, the greater the likelihood that the client will have the requisite understanding. A general, open-ended consent will ordinarily be ineffective because it is not reasonably likely that the client will have understood the material risks involved. If the client is an experienced user of the legal services involved and is reasonably informed regarding the risk that a conflict may arise, such consent is more likely to be effective, particularly if, for example, the client is independently represented by other counsel in giving consent and the consent is limited to future conflicts unrelated to the subject of the representation.
[5] While not a pre-requisite to advance consent, in some circumstances it may be advisable to recommend that the client obtain independent legal advice before deciding whether to provide consent. Advance consent must be recorded, for example in a retainer letter.
Consent and the Bright Line Rule
[6] The bright line rule, referred to in the Commentary to Rule 3.4-1, does not apply in circumstances where it is unreasonable for a client to expect that its law firm will not act against it in unrelated matters. No issue of consent arises in such circumstances absent a substantial risk of material and adverse effect on the lawyer's loyalty to or representation of a client. Where such a risk exists, consent is required even though the bright line rule does not apply.
3.4-3 Despite rule 3.4-2, a lawyer shall not represent opposing parties in a dispute.
[1] A lawyer representing a client who is a party in a dispute with another party or parties must competently and diligently develop and argue the position of the client. In a dispute, the parties' immediate legal interests are clearly adverse. If the lawyer were permitted to act for opposing parties in such circumstances even with consent, the lawyer's advice, judgment and loyalty to one client would be materially and adversely affected by the same duties to the other client or clients. In short, the lawyer would find it impossible to act without offending the rules in Section 3.4.
3.4-5 Before a lawyer acts in a matter or transaction for more than one client, the lawyer shall advise each of the clients that
(a) the lawyer has been asked to act for both or all of them;
(b) no information received in connection with the matter from one client can be treated as confidential so far as any of the others are concerned; and
(c) if a conflict develops that cannot be resolved, the lawyer cannot continue to act for both or all of them and may have to withdraw completely.
[1] Although this rule does not require that a lawyer advise clients to obtain independent legal advice before the lawyer may accept a joint retainer, in some cases, the lawyer should recommend such advice to ensure that the clients' consent to the joint retainer is informed, genuine and uncoerced. This is especially so when one of the clients is less sophisticated or more vulnerable than the other.
[2] A lawyer who receives instructions from spouses or partners as defined in the Substitute Decisions Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c. 30 to prepare one or more wills for them based on their shared understanding of what is to be in each will should treat the matter as a joint retainer and comply with this rule. Further, at the outset of this joint retainer, the lawyer should advise the spouses or partners that, if subsequently only one of them were to communicate new instructions, such as instructions to change or revoke a will
(a) the subsequent communication would be treated as a request for a new retainer and not as part of the joint retainer;
(b) in accordance with rules 3.3-1 to 3.3-6 (Confidentiality), the lawyer would be obliged to hold the subsequent communication in strict confidence and not disclose it to the other spouse or partner; and
(c) the lawyer would have a duty to decline the new retainer, unless:
(i) the spouses or partners had annulled their marriage, divorced, permanently ended their conjugal relationship or permanently ended their close personal relationship, as the case may be;
(ii) the other spouse or partner had died; or
(iii) the other spouse or partner was informed of the subsequent communication and agreed to the lawyer acting on the new instructions.
[3] After advising the spouses or partners in the manner described above, the lawyer should obtain their consent to act in accordance with rule 3.4-7.
[3.1] Joint retainers should be distinguished from separate retainers in which a law firm is retained to assist two or more clients competing at the same time for the same opportunity such as, for example, by competing bids in a corporate acquisition or competing applications for a single licence. Each client would be represented by different lawyers in the firm. Since competing retainers of this kind are not joint retainers, information received can be treated as confidential and not disclosed to the client in the competing retainer. However, competing retainers to pursue the same opportunity require express consent pursuant to rule 3.4-2 because a conflict of interest will exist and the retainers will be related. With consent, confidentiality screens as described in rules 3.4-17 to 3.4-26 would be permitted between competing retainers to pursue the same opportunity. But confidentiality screens are not permitted in a joint retainer because rule 3.4-5(b) does not permit treating information received in connection with the joint retainer as confidential so far as any of the joint clients are concerned.
3.4-6 If a lawyer has a continuing relationship with a client for whom the lawyer acts regularly, before the lawyer accepts joint employment for that client and another client in a matter or transaction, the lawyer shall advise the other client of the continuing relationship and recommend that the client obtain independent legal advice about the joint retainer.
3.4-7 When a lawyer has advised the clients as provided under rules 3.4-5 and 3.4-6 and the parties are content that the lawyer act, the lawyer shall obtain their consent.
[1] Consent in writing, or a record of the consent in a separate written communication to each client is required. Even if all the parties concerned consent, a lawyer should avoid acting for more than one client when it is likely that a contentious issue will arise between them or their interests, rights or obligations will diverge as the matter progresses.
3.4-8 Except as provided by rule 3.4-9, if a contentious issue arises between clients who have consented to a joint retainer, the lawyer shall not advise either of them on the contentious issue and the following rules apply:
(a) The lawyer shall
(i) refer the clients to other lawyers for that purpose; or
(ii) if no legal advice is required and the clients are sophisticated, advise them that they have the option to settle the contentious issue by direct negotiation in which the lawyer does not participate.
(b) If the contentious issue is not resolved, the lawyer shall withdraw from the joint representation.
[1] This rule does not prevent a lawyer from arbitrating or settling, or attempting to arbitrate or settle a dispute between two or more clients or former clients who are not under any legal disability and who wish to submit the dispute to the lawyer.
[2] If, after the clients have consented to a joint retainer, an issue contentious between them or some of them arises, the lawyer is not necessarily precluded from advising them on non-contentious matters.
3.4-9 Despite rule 3.4-8, if clients consent to a joint retainer and also agree that if a contentious issue arises the lawyer may continue to advise one of them, the lawyer may advise that client about the contentious matter and shall refer the other or others to another lawyer for that purpose.
3.4-10 Unless the former client consents, a lawyer shall not act against a former client in
(a) the same matter,
(b) any related matter, or
(c) save as provided by rule 3.4-11, any other matter if the lawyer has relevant confidential information arising from the representation of the former client that may prejudice that client.
[1] Unlike rules 3.4-1 through 3.4-9, which deal with current client conflicts, rules 3.4.10 and 3.4-11 address conflicts where the lawyer acts against a former client. Rule 3.4-10 guards against the misuse of confidential information from a previous retainer and ensures that a lawyer does not attack the legal work done during a previous retainer, or undermine the client's position on a matter that was central to a previous retainer. It is not improper for a lawyer to act against a former client in a fresh and independent matter wholly unrelated to any work the lawyer has previously done for that client if previously obtained confidential information is irrelevant to that matter.
3.4-11 When a lawyer has acted for a former client and obtained confidential information relevant to a new matter, another lawyer ("the other lawyer") in the lawyer's firm may act in the new matter against the former client provided that:
(a) the former client consents to the other lawyer acting; or
(b) the law firm establishes that it has taken adequate measures on a timely basis to ensure that there will be no risk of disclosure of the former client's confidential information to the other lawyer having carriage of the new matter.
[1] The guidelines at the end of the Commentary to rule 3.4-20 regarding lawyer transfers between firms provide valuable guidance for the protection of confidential information in the rare cases in which, having regard to all of the relevant circumstances, it is appropriate for another lawyer in the lawyer's firm to act against the former client.
3.4-11.1 Where there is an affiliation, before accepting a retainer to provide legal services to a client jointly with non-legal services of an affiliated entity, a lawyer shall disclose to the client
(a) any possible loss of solicitor and client privilege because of the involvement of the affiliated entity, including circumstances where a non-lawyer or non-lawyer staff of the affiliated entity provide services, including support services, in the lawyer's office;
(b) the lawyer's role in providing legal services and in providing non-legal services or in providing both legal and non-legal services, as the case may be;
(c) any financial, economic or other arrangements between the lawyer and the affiliated entity that may affect the independence of the lawyer's representation of the client, including whether the lawyer shares in the revenues, profits or cash flows of the affiliated entity; and
(d) agreements between the lawyer and the affiliated entity, such as agreements with respect to referral of clients between the lawyer and the affiliated entity, that may affect the independence of the lawyer's representation of the client.
3.4-11.2 Where there is an affiliation, after making the disclosure as required by rule 3.4-11.1, the lawyer shall obtain the client's consent before accepting a retainer under rule 3.4-11.1.
3.4-11.3 Where there is an affiliation, a lawyer shall establish a system to search for conflicts of interest of the affiliation.
[1] Lawyers practising in an affiliation are required to control the practice through which they deliver legal services to the public. They are also required to address conflicts of interest in respect of a proposed retainer by a client as if the lawyer's practice and the practice of the affiliated entity were one where the lawyers accept a retainer to provide legal services to that client jointly with non-legal services of the affiliated entity. The affiliation is subject to the same conflict of interest rules as apply to lawyers and law firms. This obligation may extend to inquiries of offices of affiliated entities outside of Ontario where those offices are treated economically as part of a single affiliated entity.
[2] In reference to paragraph (a) of rule 3.4-11.1, see also subsection 3(2) of By-Law 7.1 (Operational Obligations and Responsibilities).
[Amended - January 2008]
3.4-12 Subject to rule 3.4-14, a lawyer or two or more lawyers practising in partnership or association must not act for or otherwise represent both lender and borrower in a mortgage or loan transaction.
3.4-13 In rules 3.4-14 to 3.4-16 "lending client" means:
(a) a bank, trust company, insurance company, or credit union;
(b) a finance company that is a corporation or partnership:
(i) whose material business involves making or refinancing loans, or entering into other similar arrangements for advancing funds or credit; and
(ii) whose shares or ownership interests (or another person or entity with which it is affiliated) are listed on a stock exchange within or outside Canada that is a Designated Stock exchange for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada);
including any subsidiaries of such finance companies;
(c) a corporation or partnership designated as an approved lender under the National Housing Act (Canada); or
(d) a Community Futures Development Corporation, a federal or provincial crown corporation or a corporation or agency affiliated with or funded by such a corporation, a municipality or an agency affiliated with or funded by a municipality.
[1] A mortgage investment company is not considered a finance company unless it satisfies the criteria in Rule 3.4-13.
[Amended - April 22, 2021]
3.4-14 Provided there is compliance with this rule and rules 3.4-15 to 3.4-19, a lawyer may act for or otherwise represent both lender and borrower in a mortgage or loan transaction in any of the following situations:
(a) the lender is a lending client;
(b) the lender is selling real property to the borrower and the mortgage represents part of the purchase price;
(c) the lawyer practises in a remote location where there are no other lawyers that either party could conveniently retain for the mortgage or loan transaction;
(c.1) the consideration for the mortgage or loan does not exceed $75,000; or
(d) the lender and borrower are not at "arm's length" as defined in section 251 of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
[1] There is an increased risk that conflicts of interest may arise where a lawyer acts for both borrower and lender. Lawyers should review rules 3.4-5 to 3.4-9 (Joint Retainers) and should exercise the appropriate degree of formality with respect to these retainers, including making contemporaneous notes, obtaining a signed acknowledgment of the joint retainer from lender and borrower, and retaining copies of other relevant documents.
3.4-15 When a lawyer acts for both the borrower and the lender in a mortgage or loan transaction, the lawyer must disclose to the borrower and the lender, in writing, before the advance or release of the mortgage or loan funds, all material information that is relevant to the transaction.
[1] What is material is to be determined objectively. Material information would be facts that would be perceived objectively as relevant by any reasonable lender or borrower. An example is a price escalation or "flip", where a property is re-transferred or re-sold on the same day or within a short time period for a significantly higher price. The duty to disclose arises even if the lender or the borrower does not ask for the specific information.
3.4-16 If a lawyer is jointly retained by a client and a lending client in respect of a mortgage or loan from the lending client to the other client, including any guarantee of that mortgage or loan, the lending client's consent is deemed to exist upon the lawyer's receipt of written instructions from the lending client to act and the lawyer is not required to
(a) provide the advice described in rule 3.4-5 to the lending client before accepting the retainer;
(b) provide the advice described in rule 3.4-6; or
(c) obtain the consent of the lending client as required by rule 3.4-7, including confirming the lending client's consent in writing, unless the lending client requires that its consent be reduced to writing.
[1] Rules 3.4-13 and 3.4-16 are intended to simplify the advice and consent process between a lawyer and institutional lender clients. Such clients are generally sophisticated. Their acknowledgement of the terms of and consent to the joint retainer is usually confirmed in the documentation of the transaction (e.g., mortgage loan instructions) and the consent is generally acknowledged by such clients when the lawyer is requested to act.
[2] Rule 3.4-16 applies to all loans when a lawyer is acting jointly for both the lending client and another client regardless of the purpose of the loan, including, without restriction, mortgage loans, business loans and personal loans. It also applies where there is a guarantee of such a loan.
3.4-16.1.1 When practising through a civil society organization, a lawyer shall establish a system to search for conflicts of interest of the civil society organization.
Multi-discipline Practice
3.4-16.1 A lawyer in a multi-discipline practice shall ensure that non-licensee partners and associates observe the rules in Section 3.4 for the legal practice and for any other business or professional undertaking carried on by them outside the legal practice.
3.4-16.2 In this rule and rules 3.4-16.3 to 3.4-16.6,
"short-term client" means a client to whom a lawyer provides short-term legal services;
"lawyer's firm" means the law firm at which the lawyer practices law as a partner, associate, employee or otherwise.
"short-term provider" means a pro bono or not-for-profit legal services provider that makes lawyers available to provide advice or representation to clients.
"lawyer" means (i) a volunteer lawyer who provides short-term legal services to clients under the auspices of short-term provider or (ii) a lawyer providing services under the auspices of a Pro Bono Ontario program; iii) a lawyer providing short-term legal services under the auspices of a Legal Aid Ontario program or clinic; or iv) a lawyer providing short-term legal services under the auspices of a clinical education course or program.
"clinical education course or program" means a course, program, placement or partnership that is organized or accepted by an Ontario law school and that provides Ontario law students with an opportunity to gain practical and applied legal experience.
"short-term legal services" means legal advice or representation to a short-term client under the auspices of a short-term provider with the expectation by the lawyer and the client that the lawyer will not provide continuing legal advice or representation in the matter.
3.4-16.3 A lawyer may provide short-term legal services without taking steps to determine whether there is a conflict of interest arising from duties owed to current or former clients of the lawyer's firm or of the short-term provider.
3.4-16.4 A lawyer shall take reasonable measures to ensure that no disclosure of the short-term client's confidential information is made to another lawyer in the lawyer's firm.
3.4-16.5 A lawyer shall not provide or shall cease providing short-term legal services to a short-term client where the lawyer knows or becomes aware of a conflict of interest.
3.4-16.6 A lawyer who is unable to provide short-term legal services to a client because there is a conflict of interest shall cease to provide such services as soon as the lawyer actually becomes aware of the conflict of interest and the lawyer shall not seek the short-term client's waiver of the conflict.
[1] Short-term legal services, such as duty counsel programs, are usually offered in circumstances in which it may be difficult to systematically screen for conflicts of interest in a timely way, despite the best efforts and existing practices and procedures of the short-term provider, the lawyer and the lawyer's firm. Performing a full conflicts screening in circumstances in which short-term legal services are being offered can be very challenging given the timelines, volume and logistics of the setting in which the services are provided. The time required to screen for conflicts may mean that qualifying individuals for whom these brief legal services are available are denied access to legal assistance.
[2] The limited nature of short-term legal services significantly reduces the risk of conflicts of interest. Accordingly, the lawyer is disqualified from acting for a client receiving short-term legal services only if the lawyer has actual knowledge of a conflict of interest in the same or a related matter. For example, a conflict of interest of which the lawyer has no actual knowledge but which is imputed to the lawyer because of the lawyer's membership in or association or employment with a firm would not preclude the lawyer from representing the client seeking short-term legal services.
[3] In the provision of short-term legal services, the lawyer's knowledge about conflicts is based on the lawyer's reasonable recollection and information provided by the client in the ordinary course of the consulting with the short-term provider regarding the short-term legal services.
[4] The disqualification of a lawyer participating in a short-term legal services program does not create a conflict for the other lawyers participating in the program, as the conflict is not imputed to them.
[5] Confidential information obtained by a lawyer representing a short-term client, will not be imputed to the lawyers, paralegals and others at the lawyer's firm. As such, these people may continue to act for another client adverse in interest to the short-term client and may act in future for another client adverse in interest to the short-term client.
[6] Information obtained by a lawyer representing short-term clients may result in a conflict for the lawyer with an existing client that could require the lawyer to cease representation of that existing client. This risk can be minimized by the establishment of a system to search for conflicts of interest of the lawyer's law firm prior to representing short-term clients,
[7] Appropriate screening measures must be in place to prevent disclosure of confidential information relating to the short-term client to other persons at the lawyer's firm. Rule 3.4-16.4 extends, with necessary modifications, the rules and guidelines about conflicts arising from a lawyer transfer between law firms (rules 3.4-17 to 3.4-23) to the situation of a law firm acting against a current client of the firm in providing short-term legal services. Measures that the lawyer providing the short-term legal services should take to ensure the confidentiality the client's information include
(a) having no involvement in the representation of or any discussions with others in the firm about another client whose interests conflict with those of the short-term client;
(b) identifying relevant files, if any, of the short-term client and physically segregating access to them to those working on the file or who require access for specifically identified or approved reasons; and
(c) ensuring that the firm has distributed a written policy to all licensees, non-licensee partners and associates and support staff, explaining the screening measures that are in place.
[8] Rule 3.4-16.5 precludes a lawyer from obtaining a waiver in respect of conflicts of interest that arise in providing short-term legal services.
[9] The provisions of Rules 16.3 and 16.4 are intended to permit the provision of short-term legal services by a lawyer without the client being considered to be a client of the lawyer's firm for conflicts and other purposes. However, it is open to the lawyer and the short-term client to agree that the resources of the lawyer's firm, including other lawyers, may be accessed for the benefit of the client, in which case the provisions of Rule 16.3 and 16.4 do not apply, the lawyer would be required to clear conflicts and the short-term client would be considered a client of the lawyer's firm.
3.4-16.7 Subject to rule 3.4-16.8, an individual lawyer shall not act for or otherwise represent both the transferor and the transferee in a transfer of title to real property.
3.4-16.8 Rule 3.4-16.7 does not prevent a law firm of two or more lawyers from acting for or otherwise representing a transferor and a transferee in a transfer of title to real property so long as the transferor and transferee are represented by different lawyers in the firm and there is no violation of rule 3.4.
3.4-16.9 So long as there is no violation of the rules in Section 3.4, an individual lawyer may act for or otherwise represent both the transferor and the transferee in a transfer of title to real property if
(a) the Land Registration Reform Act permits the lawyer to sign the transfer on behalf of the transferor and the transferee;
(b) the transferor and transferee are "related persons" as defined in section 251 of the Income Tax Act (Canada); or
(c) the lawyer practises law in a remote location where there are no other lawyers that either the transferor or the transferee could without undue inconvenience retain for the transfer.
[Effective March 31, 2008]
3.4-17 In rules 3.4-17 to 3.4-23
"matter" means a case, a transaction, or other client representation, but within such representation does not include offering general "know-how" and, in the case of a government lawyer, providing policy advice unless the advice relates to a particular client representation.
3.4-18 Rules 3.4-17 to 3.4-23 apply when a lawyer transfers from one law firm ("former law firm") to another ("new law firm"), and
(a) the transferring lawyer or the new law firm is aware at the time of the transfer or later discovers it is reasonable to believe the transferring lawyer has confidential information relevant to the new law firm's matter for its client; or
(b) the transferring lawyer or the new law firm is aware at the time of the transfer or later discovers that
(i) the new law firm represents a client in a matter that is the same as or related to a matter in which the former law firm represents or represented its client ("former client");
(ii) the interests of those clients in that matter conflict; and
(iii) the transferring lawyer actually possesses relevant information respecting that matter.
[1] the purpose of the rule is to deal with actual knowledge. Imputed knowledge does not give rise to disqualification. As stated by the Supreme Court of Canada in Macdonald Estate v. Martin , [1990] 3 SCR 1235, with respect to the partners or associates of a lawyer who has relevant confidential information, the concept of imputed knowledge is unrealistic in the area of the mega-firm. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the inference to be drawn is that lawyers working together in the same firm will share confidences on the matters on which they are working, such that actual knowledge may be presumed. That presumption can be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence that shows that all reasonable measures, as discussed in rule 3.4-20, have been taken to ensure that no disclosure will occur by the transferring lawyer to the member or members of the firm who are engaged against a former client.
[2] The duties imposed by this rule concerning confidential information should be distinguished from the general ethical duty to hold in strict confidence all information concerning the business and affairs of the client acquired in the course of the professional relationship, which duty applies without regard to the nature or source of the information or to the fact that others may share the knowledge.
[3] Law firms with multiple offices - This rule treats as one "law firm" such entities as the various legal services units of a government, a corporation with separate regional legal departments and an interjurisdictional law firm.
3.4-19 Rules 3.4-20 to 3.4-22 do not apply to a lawyer employed by the federal, a provincial or a territorial government who, after transferring from one department, ministry or agency to another, continues to be employed by that government..
[1] Government employees and in-house counsel - The definition of "law firm" includes one or more lawyers practising in a government, a Crown corporation, any other public body or a corporation. Thus, the rule applies to lawyers transferring to or from government service and into or out of an in-house counsel position, but does not extend to purely internal transfers in which, after transfer, the employer remains the same.
3.4-20 If the transferring lawyer actually possesses confidential information relevant to a matter respecting the former client that may prejudice the former client if disclosed to a member of the new law firm, the new law firm must cease its representation of its client in that matter unless
(a) the former client consents to the new law firm's continued representation of its client; or
(b) the new law firm has
(i) taken reasonable measures to ensure that there will be no disclosure of the former client's confidential information by the transferring lawyer to any member of the new law firm; and
(ii) advised the lawyer's former client, if requested by the client, of the measures taken.
[1] It is not possible to offer a set of "reasonable measures" that will be appropriate or adequate in every case. Instead, the new law firm that seeks to implement reasonable measures must exercise professional judgment in determining what steps must be taken "to ensure that no disclosure will occur to any member of the new law firm of the former client's confidential information". Such measures may include timely and properly constructed confidentiality screens.
[2] For example, the various legal services units of a government, a corporation with separate regional legal departments, an interjurisdictional law firm, or a legal aid program may be able to demonstrate that, because of its institutional structure, reporting relationships, function, nature of work, and geography, relatively fewer "measures" are necessary to ensure the non-disclosure of client confidences. If it can be shown that, because of factors such as the above, lawyers in separate units, offices or department do not "work together" with other lawyer in other units, offices or departments, this will be taken into account in the determination of what screening measures are "reasonable".
[3] The guidelines that follow are intended as a checklist of relevant factors to be considered. Adoption of only some of the guidelines may be adequate in some cases, while adoption of them all may not be sufficient in others.
Guidelines: How to Screen/Measures to be taken
1. The screened lawyer should have no involvement in the new law firm's representation of its client in the matter.
2. The screened lawyer should not discuss the current matter or any information relating to the representation of the former client (the two may be identical) with anyone else in the new law firm.
3. No member of the new law firm should discuss the current matter or the previous representation with the screened lawyer.
4. The firm should take steps to preclude the screened lawyer from having access to any part of the file.
5. The new law firm should document the measures taken to screen the transferring lawyer, the time when these measures were put in place (the sooner the better), and should advise all affected lawyers and support staff of the measures taken.
6. These Guidelines apply with necessary modifications to situations in which non-lawyer staff employees leave one law firm to work for another and a determination is made, before hiring the individual, on whether any conflicts of interest will be created and whether the potential new hire actually possesses relevant confidential information.
How to Determine If a Conflict Exists Before Hiring a Potential Transferee
[4] When a law firm considers hiring a lawyer from another law firm, the transferring lawyer and the new law firm need to determine, before the transfer, whether any conflicts of interest will be created. Conflicts can arise with respect to clients of the law firm that the transferring lawyer is leaving and with respect to clients of a firm in which the transferring lawyer worked at some earlier time.
[5] After completing the interview process and before hiring the transferring lawyer, the new law firm should determine whether any conflicts exist. In determining whether the transferring lawyer actually possesses relevant confidential information, both the transferring lawyer and the new law firm must be very careful, during any interview of a potential transferring lawyer, or other recruitment process, to ensure that they do not disclose client confidences. See Rule 3.3-7 which provides that a lawyer may disclose confidential information to the extent the lawyer reasonably believes necessary to detect and resolve conflicts of interest where lawyers transfer between firms.
[6] A lawyer's duty to the lawyer's firm may also govern a lawyer's conduct when exploring an association with another firm and is beyond the scope of these Rules.
3.4-21 Unless the former client consents, a transferring lawyer referred to in rule 3.4-20 or 3.4-22 must not
(a) participate in any manner in the new law firm's representation of its client in the matter; or
(b) disclose any confidential information respecting the former client except as permitted by rule 3.3-7.
3.4-22 Unless the former client consents, members of the new law firm must not discuss the new law firm's representation of its client or the former law firm's representation of the former client in that matter with a transferring lawyer referred to in rule 3.4-20 except as permitted by rule 3.3-7
3.4-23 A transferring lawyer and the members of the new law firm shall exercise due diligence in ensuring that each member and employee of the lawyer's law firm, and all other persons whose services the lawyer or the law firm has retained
(a) complies with rules 3.4-17 to 3.4-23, and
(b) does not disclose confidential information of
(i) clients of the firm, or
(ii) any other law firm in which the person has worked.
[1] This rule is intended to regulate lawyers who transfer between law firms. It also imposes a general duty on lawyers and law firms to exercise due diligence in the supervision of non-lawyer staff to ensure that they comply with the rule and with the duty not to disclose confidences of clients of the lawyer's firm and confidences of clients of other law firms in which the person has worked.
[2] Certain non-lawyer staff in a law firm routinely have full access to and work extensively on client files. As such, they may possess confidential information about the client. If these staff move from one law firm to another and the new firm acts for a client opposed in interest to the client on whose files the staff worked, unless measures are taken to screen the staff, it is reasonable to conclude that confidential information may be shared. It is the responsibility of the transferring lawyer and the members of the new law firm to ensure that staff who may have confidential information that if disclosed, may prejudice the interest of a client of the former firm, have no involvement with and no access to information relating to the relevant client of the new firm.
3.4-24 [deleted]
3.4-27 - For the purposes of rules 3.4-27 to 3.4-36,
"regulated lender" means a bank, trust company, insurance company, credit union or finance company that lends money in the ordinary course of business;
"related person" in relation to a lawyer means
(a) a spouse, child, grandparent, parent, or sibling of the lawyer,
(b) a corporation that is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the lawyer or that is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the lawyer's spouse, child, grandparent, parent, or sibling, or
(c) an associate or partner of the lawyer;
"syndicated mortgage" means a mortgage having more than one investor;
"transaction with a client" means a transaction to which a lawyer and a client of the lawyer are parties, whether or not other persons are also parties, including lending or borrowing money, buying or selling property or services having other than nominal value, giving or acquiring ownership, security or other pecuniary interest in a company or other entity, recommending an investment, or entering into a common business venture.
3.4-28 A lawyer must not enter into a transaction with a client unless the transaction is fair and reasonable to the client.
3.4-28.1 Except for borrowing from a regulated lender or from a related person, a lawyer shall not borrow from a client.
3.4-28.2 A lawyer shall not do indirectly what the lawyer is prohibited from doing directly under Rules 3.4-28 to 3.4-36.
[1] Transactions between a client and
(a) a related person to the lawyer;
(b) a trust or estate for which a lawyer is a beneficiary, or
(c) a trust or estate for which the lawyer acts as both trustee and lawyer
will ordinarily be treated as if the lawyer is a party to the transaction. However, if such a transaction is genuinely independent of the lawyer and does not involve the lawyer, the transaction would be outside the scope of this rule. Factors such as the proportion of the lawyer's interest in the trust and the relationship between the lawyer and the trustee may be considered.
[2] A lawyer who acts as a trustee for a trust or estate should take care to comply with the strict trust obligations that apply in respect of any dealings with the trust or estate. These trust obligations are in addition to the obligations imposed by these rules.
[New - May 2016]
3.4-29 In any transaction with a client that is permitted under Rules 3.4-28 to 3.4-36, the lawyer shall in sequence
(a) disclose the nature of any conflicting interest or how and why it might develop later;
(b) with respect to independent legal advice and independent legal representation;
(i) in the case of a loan to a client who is not a related person, the lawyer shall require that the client receive independent legal representation;
(ii) in the case of a loan to a client who is a related person, the lawyer shall require that the client receive independent legal advice;
(iii) in the case of borrowing money from a client who is a regulated lender, the lawyer need not recommend independent legal advice or independent legal representation;
(iv) in the case of a corporation, syndicate, or partnership borrowing money from a client of the lawyer where either or both of the lawyer and the lawyer's spouse has a direct or indirect substantial interest in the corporation, syndicate or partnership, the lawyer shall require that the client receive independent legal representation;
(v) in all other cases, the lawyer shall recommend that the client receive independent legal advice and, where the circumstances reasonably require, recommend or require that the client receive legal representation; and
(c) obtain the client's consent to the transaction
(i) after the client receives the disclosure, legal advice or representation required under paragraph (b) and before proceeding with the transaction, or
(ii) where a recommendation required under paragraph (b) is made and not accepted, before proceeding with the transaction.
[1] The relationship between lawyer and client is a fiduciary one. The lawyer has a duty to act in good faith. A lawyer should be able to demonstrate that the transaction with the client is fair and reasonable to the client.
[2] In some circumstances, a lawyer may be retained to provide legal services for a transaction in which the lawyer and a client participate. The lawyer should not uncritically accept a client's decision to have the lawyer act. It should be borne in mind that, if the lawyer accepts the retainer, the lawyer's first duty will be to the client. If the lawyer has any misgivings about being able to place the client's interests first, the retainer should be declined. This is because the lawyer cannot act in a transaction with a client where there is a substantial risk that the lawyer's loyalty to or representation of the client would be materially and adversely affected by the lawyer's own interest, unless the client consents and the lawyer reasonably believes that he or she is able to act for the client without having a material adverse effect on loyalty or on the representation.
[3] If the lawyer does not choose to disclose the conflicting interest or cannot do so without breaching confidence, the lawyer must decline the retainer.
[4] Generally, in disciplinary proceedings under Rules 3.4-29 to 3.4-36, the burden will rest upon the lawyer to show good faith, that adequate disclosure was made in the matter, that independent legal advice was received by the client, where required, and that the client's consent was obtained.
[5] Whether a person is considered a client within this rule when lending money to a lawyer on that person's own account or investing money in a security in which the lawyer has an interest is determined having regard to all circumstances. If the circumstances are such that the lender or investor might reasonably feel entitled to look to the lawyer for guidance and advice about the loan or investment, the lawyer is bound by the same fiduciary obligation that attaches to a lawyer in dealings with a client.
Documenting Independent Legal Advice
[6] A lawyer retained to give independent legal advice relating to a transaction should document the independent legal advice by:
(a) providing the client with a written certificate that the client has received independent legal advice;
(b) obtaining the client's signature on a copy of the certificate of independent legal advice; and
(c) sending the signed copy of the lawyer with whom the client proposes to transact business.
Documenting a Client's Decision to Decline Independent Legal Advice or Independent Legal Representation
[7] If the client declines the recommendation to obtain independent legal advice or independent legal representation, the lawyer should obtain the client's signature on a document indicating that the client has declined the advice or representation.
[8] If the client is vulnerable and declines independent legal advice or independent legal representation, the lawyer should not enter into the transaction. Some signs that the client may be vulnerable include cognitive decline, disabilities such as impaired vision and hearing, financial insecurity, and major changes in life circumstances that may make the client more susceptible to being unduly influenced.
Borrowing by Related Entities
[9] Rule 3.4-29(b)(iv) addresses situations where a conflicting interest may not be immediately apparent to a potential lender. As such, the lawyer is required to make disclosure and require that the client from whom the entity in which the lawyer or the lawyer's spouse has a direct or indirect substantial interest in borrowing has independent legal representation.
3.4-30 - [FLSC - not in use].
3.4-33.1 A lawyer engaged in the private practice of law in Ontario shall not directly, or indirectly through a corporation, syndicate, partnership, trust, or other entity in which the lawyer or a related person has a financial interest, other than an ownership interest of a corporation or other entity offering its securities to the public of less than five per cent (5%) of any class of securities
(a) hold a syndicated mortgage or loan in trust for investor clients unless each investor client receives
(i) a complete reporting letter on the transaction,
(ii) a trust declaration signed by the person in whose name the mortgage or any security instrument is registered, and
(iii) a copy of the duplicate registered mortgage or security instrument,
(b) arrange or recommend the participation of a client or other person as an investor in a syndicated mortgage or loan where the lawyer is an investor unless the lawyer can demonstrate that the client or other person had independent legal advice in making the investment, or
(c) sell mortgages or loans to, or arrange mortgages or loans for, clients or other persons except in accordance with the skill, competence, and integrity usually expected of a lawyer in dealing with clients.
ACCEPTABLE MORTGAGE OR LOAN TRANSACTIONS
[1] A lawyer may engage in the following mortgage or loan transactions in connection with the practice of law
(a) a lawyer may invest in mortgages or loans personally or on behalf of a related person or a combination thereof;
(b) a lawyer may deal in mortgages or loans as an executor, administrator, committee, trustee of a testamentary or inter vivos trust established for purposes other than mortgage or loan investment or under a power of attorney given for purposes other than exclusively for mortgage or loan investment; and
(c) a lawyer may collect, on behalf of clients, mortgage or loan payments that are made payable in the name of the lawyer under a written direction to that effect given by the client to the mortgagor or borrower provided that such payments are deposited into the lawyer's trust account.
[2] A lawyer may introduce a borrower (whether or not a client) to a lender (whether or not a client) and the lawyer may then act for either, and when rule 3.4-14 applies, the lawyer may act for both.
3.4-33.2 Where a lawyer sells or arranges mortgages for clients or other persons, the lawyer shall disclose in writing to each client or other person the priority of the mortgage and all other information relevant to the transaction that is known to the lawyer that would be of concern to a proposed investor.
3.4-33.3 A lawyer shall not promote, by advertising or otherwise, individual or joint investment by clients or other persons who have money to lend, in any mortgage in which a financial interest is held by the lawyer, a related person, or a corporation, syndicate, partnership, trust or other entity in which the lawyer or related person has a financial interest, other than an ownership interest of a corporation or other entity offering its securities to the public of less than five per cent (5%) of any class of securities.
3.4-34 Except as provided by rule 3.4-35, a lawyer must not guarantee personally, or otherwise provide security for, any indebtedness in respect of which a client is a borrower or lender.
3.4-35 A lawyer may give a personal guarantee in the following circumstances
(a) the lender is a lending institution, financial institution, insurance company, trust company or any similar corporation whose business includes lending money to members of the public, and the lender is directly or indirectly providing funds solely for the lawyer, the lawyer's spouse, parent or child;
(b) the transaction is for the benefit of a non-profit or charitable institution, and the lawyer provides a guarantee as a member or supporter of such institution, either individually or together with other members or supporters of the institution; or
(c) the lawyer has entered into a business venture with a client and a lender requires personal guarantees from all participants in the venture as a matter of course and
(i) the lawyer has complied with the rules in Section 3.4 (Conflicts), in particular, rules 3.4-27 to 3.4-36 (Doing Business with a Client), and
(ii) the lender and participants in the venture who are clients or former clients of the lawyer have independent legal representation.
3.4-36 When a client intends to pay for legal services by transferring to a lawyer a share, participation or other interest in property or in an enterprise, other than a non-material interest in a publicly traded enterprise, the lawyer shall recommend but need not require that the client receive independent legal advice before accepting a retainer.
[1] The remuneration paid to a lawyer by a client for the legal work undertaken by the lawyer for the client does not give rise to a conflicting interest.
3.4-37 - [FLSC - not in use]
3.4-38 If a will contains a clause directing that the lawyer who drafted the will be retained to provide services in the administration of the client's estate, the lawyer should, before accepting that retainer, provide the trustees with advice, in writing, that the clause is a non-binding direction and the trustees can decide to retain other counsel.
3.4-39 Unless the client is a family member of the lawyer or the lawyer's partner or associate, a lawyer must not prepare or cause to be prepared an instrument giving the lawyer or an associate a gift or benefit from the client, including a testamentary gift.
3.4-40 Subject to Rule 3.4-41, a lawyer shall not in respect of any accused person for whom the lawyer acts
(a) act as a surety for the accused;
(b) deposit with a court the lawyer's own money or that of any firm in which the lawyer is a partner to secure the accused's release;
(c) deposit with any court other valuable security to secure the accused's release; or
(d) act in a supervisory capacity to the accused.
3.4-41 A lawyer may do any of the things referred to in rule 3.4-40 if the accused is in a family relationship with the lawyer and the accused is represented by the lawyer's partner or associate.
SECTION 3.5 PRESERVATION OF CLIENT'S PROPERTY
3.5-2 A lawyer shall take care of a client's property as a careful and prudent owner would when dealing with like property and shall observe all relevant rules and law about the preservation of a client's property entrusted to a lawyer.
[1] The duties concerning safekeeping, preserving, and accounting for clients' monies and other property are set out in the by-laws made under the Law Society Act.
[2] These duties are closely related to those regarding confidential information. A lawyer is responsible for maintaining the safety and confidentiality of the files of the client in the possession of the lawyer and should take all reasonable steps to ensure the privacy and safekeeping of a client's confidential information. The lawyer should keep the client's papers and other property out of sight as well as out of reach of those not entitled to see them and should, subject to any rights of lien, promptly return them to the client upon request or at the conclusion of the lawyer's retainer.
[4] If the lawyer withdraws from representing a client, the lawyer is required to comply with the rules in Section 3.7 (Withdrawal from Representation).
3.5-3 A lawyer shall promptly notify the client of the receipt of any money or other property of the client, unless satisfied that the client is aware that they have come into the lawyer's custody.
3.5-4 A lawyer shall clearly label and identify the client's property and place it in safekeeping distinguishable from the lawyer's own property.
3.5-5 A lawyer shall maintain such records as necessary to identify a client's property that is in the lawyer's custody.
3.5-6 A lawyer shall account promptly for a client's property that is in the lawyer's custody and upon request shall deliver it to the order of the client or, if appropriate, at the conclusion of the retainer.
3.5-7 If a lawyer is unsure of the proper person to receive a client's property, the lawyer shall apply to a tribunal of competent jurisdiction for direction.
[1] The lawyer should be alert to the duty to claim on behalf of a client any privilege in respect of property seized or attempted to be seized by an external authority or in respect of third party claims made against the property. In this regard, the lawyer should be familiar with the nature of the client's common law privilege and with relevant constitutional and statutory provisions such as those found in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Criminal Code.
[2], [3] and [4] [FLSC - not in use]
SECTION 3.6 FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS
3.6-1 A lawyer shall not charge or accept any amount for a fee or disbursement unless it is fair and reasonable and has been disclosed in a timely fashion.
3.6-1.1 A lawyer shall not charge a client interest on an overdue account save as permitted by the Solicitors Act or as otherwise permitted by law.
[1] What is a fair and reasonable fee will depend upon such factors as
(a) the time and effort required and spent,
(b) the difficulty of the matter and the importance of the matter to the client,
(c) whether special skill or service has been required and provided,
(c.1) the amount involved or the value of the subject-matter,
(d) the results obtained,
(e) fees authorized by statute or regulation,
(f) special circumstances, such as the loss of other retainers, postponement of payment, uncertainty of reward, or urgency,
(g) the likelihood, if made known to the client, that acceptance of the retainer will result in the lawyer's inability to accept other employment,
(h) any relevant agreement between the lawyer and the client,
(i) the experience and ability of the lawyer,
(j) any estimate or range of fees given by the lawyer, and
(k) the client's prior consent to the fee.
[2] The fiduciary relationship between lawyer and client requires full disclosure in all financial dealings between them and prohibits the acceptance by the lawyer of any hidden fees. No fee, reward, costs, commission, interest, rebate, agency or forwarding allowance, or other compensation related to professional employment may be taken by the lawyer from anyone other than the client without full disclosure to and the consent of the client or, where the lawyer's fees are being paid by someone other than the client, such as a legal aid agency, a borrower, or a personal representative, without the consent of such agency or other person.
[3] A lawyer should provide to the client in writing, before or within a reasonable time after commencing a representation, as much information regarding fees and disbursements, and interest as is reasonable and practical in the circumstances, including the basis on which fees will be determined.
[4] A lawyer should be ready to explain the basis of the fees and disbursements charged to the client. This is particularly important concerning fee charges or disbursements that the client might not reasonably be expected to anticipate. When something unusual or unforeseen occurs that may substantially affect the amount of a fee or disbursement, the lawyer should give to the client an immediate explanation. A lawyer should confirm with the client in writing the substance of all fee discussions that occur as a matter progresses, and a lawyer may revise an initial estimate of fees and disbursements.
[4.1] A lawyer should inform a client about their rights to have an account assessed under the Solicitors Act.
3.6-1.2 A lawyer providing legal services through a civil society organization shall not directly or indirectly charge a fee to the person for whose benefit the legal services are provided, but the lawyer may charge disbursements in accordance with rule 3.6-1.
3.6-2 Subject to rule 3.6-1, except in family law, Criminal Code (Canada) or any other criminal or quasi-criminal matters, a lawyer may enter into a contingency fee agreement in accordance with the Solicitors Act and the regulations made under it.
3.6-2.1 (1) In determining the appropriate percentage or other basis of the contingency fee, the lawyer shall consider a number of factors, including the likelihood of success, the nature and complexity of the claim, the expense and risk of pursuing it, the amount of the expected recovery and who is to receive an award of costs. The lawyer shall advise the client of these factors.
(2) A lawyer who enters into a contingency fee agreement must meet the following client disclosure requirements:
(a) provide the client with the Law Society's consumer guide titled "Contingency fees: What you need to know," available on the Law Society's website, and a reasonable opportunity to review and consider it before entering into the agreement; and
(b) when billing for the contingency fee, deliver a bill to the client that:
(i) clearly shows the total amount of the settlement or award and the net amount that the client receives;
(ii) clearly itemizes and identifies disbursement costs, legal fees and taxes charged to the client;
(iii) explains the reasonableness of the fee with reference to the following factors:
(a) the time expended by the lawyer;
(b) the legal complexity of the matter at issue;
(c) the results achieved; and
(d) the risk assumed by the lawyer, including the risk of non-payment where there is a real risk of an adverse finding on liability in the client's case; and
(iv) states that the client has the right to apply to the Superior Court of Justice for an assessment of the bill in accordance with section 28.1 of the Solicitors Act 1990 and specifies the latest date for doing so.
(3) The client disclosure requirements of this Rule do not apply to an agreement under which a lawyer is retained to represent one or more persons in a proceeding commenced under the Class Proceedings Act, 1992, as amended.
(4) The requirements of Rule (2)(b)(iii) and (iv) do not apply where a court approves the contingency fee.
[Amended - November 2002, October 2004, July 2021]
[1] A contingency fee under the Solicitors Act is one in which any part of the lawyer's compensation is dependent on the successful disposition or completion of the matter for which the lawyer is retained. A contingency fee agreement is a retainer agreement under which payment, including a bonus or premium, depends on a successful disposition or completion of the matter.
[1.1] The Solicitors Act and its contingency fee agreements regulation, together with the standard form Contingency Fee Agreement, the lawyer Rules of Professional Conduct and the consumer guide titled "Contingency fees: What you need to know," all work in concert to enable the client disclosure requirements in Rule 3.6-2.1. The standard form Contingency Fee Agreement and the consumer guide are both available on the Law Society's website.
[New - October 2002, Amended October 2004, October 2014, July 2021]
[3] The client disclosure requirements of this rule are intended to ensure that clients understand contingency fee arrangements, that legal fees are transparent, fair, and reasonable and that potential clients can compare fees when considering whether to retain a lawyer.
[4] When a lawyer enters into a contingency fee agreement and provides advice about settlement, the lawyer should provide the client with a written estimate of the approximate net amount the client is to receive from the settlement. The estimate should include sufficient information for the client to make an informed decision and include a breakdown of the lawyer's fees, disbursements and any other charges to be deducted from the amount the client will receive.
[5] The requirement in Rule 3.6-2.1(2)(b)(iii) that the lawyer explain the reasonableness of the fee is intended to ensure that contingency fees charged are transparent and reasonable. The Ontario Court of Appeal has outlined the test for reasonableness in Raphael Partners v. Lam (2002), 61 O.R. (3d) 417, paragraph 50, stating that the factors to consider are:
(d) the risk assumed by the lawyer, including the risk of non-payment where there is a real risk of an adverse finding on liability in the client's case.
The required statement should address each of these factors as they apply to the matter.
[New - July 2021]
3.6-2.2 (1) A lawyer who markets legal services on the basis that clients may be charged fees contingent, in whole or in part, on the successful disposition or completion of a matter must publish a general maximum contingency fee percentage. The disclosure must be by publication on the lawyer's website, or, if the lawyer does not have a website, by providing the maximum percentage to potential clients when they first contact the lawyer.
(2) This Rule does not apply in relation to a proceeding commenced pursuant to the Class Proceedings Act, 1992.
[New – July 2021]
[1] The maximum contingency fee percentages published on the lawyer's website should be easily accessible.
[2] A lawyer may enter into an agreement under which the contingent fee rate is higher than their published maximum rate. However, the lawyer must
(a) disclose to the client that the percentage fee exceeds the lawyer's disclosed maximum contingency fee rate; and
(b) afterwards publish the higher rate as the lawyer's maximum rate.
Transitional Requirements
3.6-2.3 Rules 3.6-2.1 and 3.6-2.2 do not apply to contingency fee agreements entered into before July 1, 2021.
3.6-3 In a statement of an account delivered to a client, a lawyer shall clearly and separately detail the amounts charged as fees and as disbursements.
3.6-4 Where a lawyer is acting for two or more clients in the same matter, the lawyer shall divide the fees and disbursements equitably between them, unless there is an agreement by the clients otherwise.
3.6-5 With the client's consent, fees for a matter may be divided between lawyers or lawyers and paralegals who are not in the same firm, if the fees are divided in proportion to the work done and the responsibilities assumed.
3.6-6.0 In this rule and rule 3.6-6.1,
"referral" includes recommending another lawyer or paralegal to do legal work for anyone except where the work is done through the same law firm in which the referring lawyer primarily practices
"referral agreement" means a signed written agreement between the referring lawyer or paralegal, the lawyer or paralegal who receives the referral and the client, in the form provided by the Law Society from time to time, which includes:
(a) confirmation that the client has been advised and understands that the client has no obligation to accept the referral;
(b) confirmation that the client has been provided with information about the Law Society's requirements for payment and receipt of referral fees and a reasonable opportunity to review and consider that information;
(c) confirmation that the referring lawyer or paralegal has recommended at least two lawyers or paralegals to the client and, if not, disclosure of the reason that it has not been reasonably possible to do so;
(d) a provision that the client is free to retain a lawyer or paralegal other than the one who receives the referral;
(e) the reason(s) that the referring lawyer or paralegal has recommended the specific referee to the client;
(f) full and fair disclosure of the relationship between the referring lawyer or paralegal and the lawyer or paralegal who receives the referral;
(g) confirmation that no referral fee will be paid or payable unless and until the lawyer or paralegal who receives the referral is paid his or her fee for legal services for the matter; and
(h) full and fair disclosure of the referral fee including the circumstances in which the referral fee is payable and the basis upon which the amount of the referral fee is determined.
"referral fee" includes any financial or other reward for the referral of a matter whether the referral fee is direct or indirect and whether the referral fee is past, current or future. However, a referral fee does not include a referral of other work by the licensee who received the referral.
[Amended February 2019]
3.6-6.1 (1) A lawyer may accept and a lawyer may pay a fee for the referral of a matter provided that:
(a) the referral fee is fair and reasonable and does not increase the total amount of the fee payable by the client;
(b) a referral agreement has been entered into at the time of the referral or as soon as practicable after the referral;
(c) the lawyer or paralegal who receives the referral has the expertise and ability to handle the matter;
(d) the referral was not made because the referring lawyer or paralegal:
(i) has a conflict of interest;
(ii) was a lawyer or paralegal whose license was suspended when the referral was made and who was accordingly not permitted to act on the matter.
(e) the amount of the referral fee shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the fees paid to the lawyer or paralegal who received the referral for the first fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) of such fees for the matter and five percent (5%) of any additional fees for the matter to a maximum referral fee of $25,000; and
(f) the lawyer or paralegal making or accepting the referral is not providing legal services through a civil society organization.
(2) The lawyer who received the referral for which a referral fee is payable shall note the referral fee on the account sent to the client at the time the referral fee is paid or payable and obtain the client's acknowledgement of the referral fee failing which acknowledgement the lawyer must confirm in writing to the client that the client has been asked to so acknowledge but has declined to do so.
(3)(a) The provisions of subrule 3.6-6.1(1) do not apply to the payment of a referral fee pursuant to an enforceable agreement to pay and receive referral fees that was entered into before or on April 27, 2017.
In these circumstances, a lawyer who refers a matter to another lawyer or paralegal because of the expertise and ability of the other licensee to handle the matter and where the referral was not made because of a conflict of interest, the referring lawyer may accept and a lawyer who receives a referral may pay a referral fee provided that
(i) the fee is reasonable and does not increase the total amount of the fee charged to the client, and
(ii) the client is informed and consents.
(b) A lawyer who is entitled to receive referral fees pursuant to an unwritten agreement that was entered into before or on April 27, 2017 shall confirm in writing the terms of that agreement as soon as practicable to the other party to that agreement and shall provide a copy of such confirmation to the client.
(c) Where a referral was made before or on April 27, 2017 but there was no enforceable agreement for the payment of a referral fee as of that date, the requirement that the agreement has been entered into may be met by entering into a referral agreement at any time prior to payment of the referral fee.
[1] A lawyer who refers clients to other lawyers or paralegals, and a lawyer who receives referrals from other lawyers or paralegals each have fiduciary duties to the referred clients. Referral of a client must be in the client's best interests.
[2] The decision about who to retain is that of the client. The requirements in this rule are intended to ensure that the client has all of the relevant information to make this decision, including information about fees.
[3] In the normal course, a lawyer who is referring a client should recommend more than one lawyer or paralegal to the client. There may be circumstances however in which there is only one suitable referral, for reasons such as expertise or geographic location, and this must be noted in the referral agreement.
[New - April 2017]
Division of Fees and Referrals from Non-Lawyers/Paralegals
(a) directly or indirectly share, split, or divide their fees with any person who is not a lawyer or paralegal, or
(b) give any financial or other reward to any person who is not a lawyer or paralegal for the referral of clients or client matters.
[Amended - April 2008, October 2014, April 2017]
[1] This rule prohibits lawyers from entering into arrangements to compensate or reward non- lawyers for the referral of clients. However, this rule does not prohibit a lawyer from:
(a) making an arrangement respecting the purchase and sale of a law practice when the consideration payable includes a percentage of revenues generated from the practice sold;
(b) entering into a lease under which a landlord directly or indirectly shares in the fees or revenues generated by the law practice;
(c) paying an employee for services, other than for referring clients, based on the revenue of the lawyer's firm or practice.
(d) [FLSC - not in use]
[New - May 2001, Amended - October 2014]
3.6-7.1 A lawyer shall not do indirectly what the lawyer is prohibited from doing directly under Rules 3.6-5 to 3.6-7.
[1] This rule is intended to ensure that lawyers do not avoid or evade Rules 3.6-5 to 3.6-7.
[2] Where a lawyer does anything that has the effect of obtaining or giving financial or other reward for the referral of legal work, this rule is breached unless the lawyer may reasonably be considered to have done so primarily for bona fide purposes other than for obtaining or giving such a reward.
[3] Examples of breaches of this rule could include entering into transactions at non-market prices between the licensee who makes a referral and the licensee who receives the referral. Specific examples could include non-market leases or cost-sharing arrangements. Similarly, this rule could be breached where a licensee enters into a counsel, consulting or other relationship with a licensee who has received a referral for consideration that does not fairly reflect the work done as such.
3.6-8 Rule 3.6-7 does not apply to
(a) multi-discipline practices of lawyer and non-licensee partners where the partnership agreement provides for the sharing of fees, cash flows or profits among members of the firm; and
(b) sharing of fees, cash flows or profits by lawyers who are
(i) members of an interprovincial law firm, or
(ii) members of a law partnership of Ontario and non-Canadian lawyers who otherwise comply with the rules in Section 3.6.
[1] An affiliation is different from a multi-discipline practice established in accordance with the by-laws under the Law Society Act, an interprovincial law partnership or a partnership between Ontario lawyers and foreign lawyers. An affiliation is subject to rule 3.6-7. In particular, an affiliated entity is not permitted to share in the lawyer's revenues, cash flows or profits, either directly or indirectly through excessive inter-firm charges, for example, by charging inter-firm expenses above their fair market value.
3.6-10 A lawyer shall not appropriate any funds of the client held in trust or otherwise under the lawyer's control for or on account of fees except as permitted by the by-laws under the Law Society Act.
[1] The rule is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of the considerations that apply to payment of a lawyer's account from trust. The handling of trust money is generally governed by the by-laws of the Law Society.
[2] Refusing to reimburse any portion of advance fees for work that has not been carried out when the contract of professional services with the client has terminated is a breach of the obligation to act with integrity.
3.6-11 If the amount of fees or disbursements charged by a lawyer is reduced on an assessment, the lawyer must repay the monies to the client as soon as is practicable.
3.6-12 [FLSC - not in use]
SECTION 3.7 WITHDRAWAL FROM REPRESENTATION
3.7-1 A lawyer shall not withdraw from representation of a client except for good cause and on reasonable notice to the client.
[1] Although the client has the right to terminate the lawyer-client relationship at will, the lawyer does not enjoy the same freedom of action. Having undertaken the representation of a client, the lawyer should complete the task as ably as possible unless there is justifiable cause for terminating the relationship.
[2] An essential element of reasonable notice is notification to the client, unless the client cannot be located after reasonable efforts. No hard and fast rules can be laid down about what will constitute reasonable notice before withdrawal and how quickly a lawyer may cease acting after notification will depend on all relevant circumstances. Where the matter is covered by statutory provisions or rules of court, these will govern. In other situations, the governing principle is that the lawyer should protect the client's interests to the best of the lawyer's ability and should not desert the client at a critical stage of a matter or at a time when withdrawal would put the client in a position of disadvantage or peril.
[3] Every effort should be made to ensure that withdrawal occurs at an appropriate time in the proceedings in keeping with the lawyer's obligations. The court, opposing parties and others directly affected should also be notified of the withdrawal.
[4] Deleted
3.7-2 Subject to the rules about criminal proceedings and the direction of the tribunal, where there has been a serious loss of confidence between the lawyer and the client, the lawyer may withdraw.
[1] A lawyer may have a justifiable cause for withdrawal in circumstances indicating a loss of confidence, for example, if a lawyer is deceived by their client, the client refuses to accept and act upon the lawyer's advice on a significant point, a client is persistently unreasonable or uncooperative in a material respect, there is a material breakdown in communications, or the lawyer is facing difficulty in obtaining adequate instructions from the client. However, the lawyer should not use the threat of withdrawal as a device to force a hasty decision by the client on a difficult question.
3.7-3 Subject to the rules about criminal proceedings and the direction of the tribunal, where, after reasonable notice, the client fails to provide a retainer or funds on account of disbursements or fees, a lawyer may withdraw unless serious prejudice to the client would result.
3.7-4 A lawyer who has agreed to act in a criminal case may withdraw because the client has not paid the agreed fee or for other adequate cause if the interval between a withdrawal and the date set for the trial of the case is sufficient to enable the client to obtain another licensee to act in the case and to allow the other licensee adequate time for preparation, and the lawyer
(a) notifies the client, preferably in writing, that the lawyer is withdrawing because the fees have not been paid or for other adequate cause;
(b) accounts to the client for any monies received on account of fees and disbursements;
(c) notifies Crown counsel in writing that the lawyer is no longer acting;
(d) in a case when the lawyer's name appears on the records of the court as acting for the accused, notifies the clerk or registrar of the appropriate court in writing that the lawyer is no longer acting; and
(e) complies with the applicable rules of court.
[1] A lawyer who has withdrawn because of conflict with the client should not indicate in the notice addressed to the court or Crown counsel the cause of the conflict or make reference to any matter that would violate the privilege that exists between lawyer and client. The notice should merely state that the lawyer is no longer acting and has withdrawn.
3.7-5 A lawyer who has agreed to act in a criminal case may not withdraw because of non- payment of fees if the date set for the trial of the case is not far enough removed to enable the client to obtain another licensee or to enable the other licensee to prepare adequately for trial and an adjournment of the trial date cannot be obtained without adversely affecting the client's interests.
3.7-6 In circumstances where a lawyer is justified in withdrawing from a criminal case for reasons other than non-payment of fees, and there is not sufficient time between a notice to the client of the lawyer's intention to withdraw and the date set for trial to enable the client to obtain another licensee and to enable such licensee to prepare adequately for trial:
(a) the lawyer should, unless instructed otherwise by the client, attempt to have the trial date adjourned;
(b) the lawyer may withdraw from the case only with the permission of the court before which the case is to be tried.
[1] Where circumstances arise that in the opinion of the lawyer require an application to the court for leave to withdraw, the lawyer should promptly inform Crown counsel and the court of the intention to apply for leave in order to avoid or minimize any inconvenience to the court and witnesses.
3.7-7 Subject to the rules about criminal proceedings and the direction of the tribunal, a lawyer shall withdraw if
(a) discharged by the client;
(b) the client's instructions require the lawyer to act contrary to these rules or by-laws under the Law Society Act; or
(c) the lawyer is not competent to continue to handle the matter.
[Amended - March 2004, October 2014]
3.7-7A(1) In this subrule
(a) "affected client" means a client for whom the law firm has a relevant matter:
(b) "relevant matter" means a current matter for which the lawyer who is leaving the law firm has conduct or substantial responsibility;
(c) "remaining lawyers" means the lawyers who have, or are intended by the law firm to have, conduct of a relevant matter and the lawyers in the law firm who have direct and indirect management responsibility in respect of the practice of the lawyer who is leaving the law firm.
(2) When a lawyer leaves a law firm to practice elsewhere, the lawyer and the remaining lawyers shall
(a) ensure that affected clients are given reasonable notice that the lawyer is departing and are advised of their options for retaining counsel; and
(b) take reasonable steps to obtain the instructions of each affected client as to whom they will retain to act in relevant matters.
(3) The obligations in Rules 3.7-7A(2)(a) and (b) also apply to the departure of a paralegal from a law firm to practice elsewhere.
[1] When a lawyer leaves a law firm to practise elsewhere, it may result in the termination of the lawyer-client relationship between that lawyer and a client.
[2] The client's interests are paramount. Clients should be free to decide whom to retain as counsel without undue influence or pressure by either the lawyer or the firm. The client should be provided with sufficient information by the lawyer and the remaining lawyers to make an informed decision about whether to continue with the departing lawyer, remain with the firm where that is possible, or retain new counsel.
[3] The lawyer and the remaining lawyers should cooperate to ensure that the client receives the necessary information on the available options. While it is preferable to prepare a joint notification setting forth such information, factors to consider in determining who should provide it to the client include the extent of the lawyer's work for the client, the client's relationship with other lawyers in the law firm and access to client contact information. In the absence of agreement between the departing lawyer and the remaining lawyers as to who will notify the clients, both the departing lawyer and the remaining lawyers should provide notification.
[4] If a client contacts a law firm to request a departed lawyer's contact information, the remaining lawyers should provide the professional contact information where reasonably possible.
[5] Where a client decides to remain with the departing lawyer, the instructions referred to in the rule should include written authorizations for the transfer of files and client property. In all cases, the situation should be managed in a way that minimizes expense and avoids prejudice to the client.
[6] In advance of providing notice to clients of his or her intended departure the lawyer should provide such notice to the firm as is reasonable in the circumstances.
[7] When a client chooses to remain with the firm, the firm should consider whether it is reasonable in the circumstances to charge the client for time expended by another firm member to become familiar with the file.
[8] The principles outlined in this rule and commentary will apply to the dissolution of a law firm. When a law firm is dissolved the lawyer-client relationship may end with one or more of the lawyers involved in the retainer. The client should be notified of the dissolution and provided with sufficient information to decide who to retain as counsel. The lawyers who are no longer retained by the client should try to minimize expense and avoid prejudice to the client.
[9] See also rules 3.7-8 to 3.7-10 and related commentary regarding enforcement of a solicitor's lien and the duties of former and successor counsel.
[10] Lawyers are reminded that Rules 3.08(13.1) and (13.2) of the Paralegal Rules of Conduct and paragraphs 18-25 of Paralegal Guideline 11 describe similar obligations for paralegals.
3.7-7B Rule 3.7-7A does not apply to a lawyer leaving (a) a government, a Crown corporation or any other public body or (b) a corporation or other organization for which the lawyer is employed as in-house counsel.
3.7-8 When a lawyer withdraws, the lawyer shall try to minimize expense and avoid prejudice to the client and shall do all that can reasonably be done to facilitate the orderly transfer of the matter to the successor legal practitioner.
3.7-9 Upon discharge or withdrawal, a lawyer shall
(a) notify the client in writing, stating
(i) the fact that the lawyer has withdrawn;
(ii) the reasons, if any, for the withdrawal; and
(iii) in the case of litigation, that the client should expect that the hearing or trial will proceed on the date scheduled and that the client should retain a new legal practitioner promptly;
(b) subject to the lawyer's right to a lien, deliver to or to the order of the client all papers and property to which the client is entitled;
(c) subject to any applicable trust conditions, give the client all information that may be required in connection with the case or matter;
(d) account for all funds of the client then held or previously dealt with, including the refunding of any remuneration not earned during the representation;
(e) promptly render an account for outstanding fees and disbursements; and
(f) co-operate with the successor legal practitioner so as to minimize expense and avoid prejudice to the client; and
(g) comply with the applicable rules of court.
[1] If the lawyer who is discharged or withdraws is a member of a firm, the client should be notified that the lawyer and the firm are no longer acting for the client.
[2] If the question of a right of lien for unpaid fees and disbursements arises on the discharge or withdrawal of the lawyer, the lawyer should have due regard to the effect of its enforcement upon the client's position. Generally speaking, the lawyer should not enforce the lien if to do so would prejudice materially the client's position in any uncompleted matter.
[3] The obligation to deliver papers and property is subject to a lawyer's right of lien. In the event of conflicting claims to such papers or property, the lawyer should make every effort to have the claimants settle the dispute.
[4] Co-operation with the successor legal practitioner will normally include providing any memoranda of fact and law that have been prepared by the lawyer in connection with the matter, but confidential information not clearly related to the matter should not be divulged without the written consent of the client.
[5] A lawyer acting for several clients in a case or matter who ceases to act for one or more of them should co-operate with the successor legal practitioner or practitioners to the extent required by the rules and should seek to avoid any unseemly rivalry, whether real or apparent.
3.7-10 Before agreeing to represent a client, a successor licensee shall be satisfied that the former licensee approves, has withdrawn, or has been discharged by the client.
[1] It is quite proper for the successor licensee to urge the client to settle or take reasonable steps towards settling or securing any outstanding account of the former licensee, especially if the latter withdrew for good cause or was capriciously discharged. But if a trial or hearing is in progress or imminent or if the client would otherwise be prejudiced, the existence of an outstanding account should not be allowed to interfere with the successor licensee acting for the client.
Terms or Concepts Explained
AODA COMMITMENT
Go to Facebook Go to Twitter LSO.Master.Lb.GoToLinkedIn Go to Youtube
LSO Twitter @LawSocietyLSO
The Coach and Advisor Network (CAN) receives specific requests for Coaches and Advisors with practice experience in real estate, family law, wills, immigration and refugee law. You CAN help move someone closer to their career goals. https://t.co/T2eGmmcVpd #LSOCAN https://t.co/TgavkSPX8M
Le Réseau d'encadrement de la pratique a un urgent besoin de formateurs et de conseillers chevronnés en droit immobilier, de la famille, des testaments, de l'immigration et des réfugiés. Aidez une personne à se rapprocher de ses objectifs professionnels. https://t.co/CbnuFfCTBk https://t.co/0WzGsSOY3b
Contact Law Society of Ontario
Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N6
Copyright (c) 2022 Law Society of Ontario

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl