1. Figure out if you can complain to the Law Society of Ontario
Question and answer
How do I complain to the Law Society of Ontario about a lawyer or paralegal?If you cannot resolve your problems with your lawyer or paralegal, you may be able to complain to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).
The LSO only gets involved when a lawyer or paralegal did something that's against their professional responsibilities, for example, they:
- did something illegal like take part in a crime
- did not handle money properly or stole money
- did something that is not ethical or honest
- did not reply to communications or report on a transaction
- did not follow your instructions or delayed your case from moving forward
- was disrespectful or made you feel uncomfortable
- harassed or assaulted you physically or sexually
If your complaint does not show that your lawyer or paralegal behaved unprofessionally, the LSO will not accept it.
You can also complain to the LSO if a person pretends to be a lawyer or paralegal and provides legal services.
Legal fees
The LSO cannot help with complaints about your legal bill. They do not decide the fees that lawyers and paralegals charge and cannot reduce bills that people think are too high.
You follow another process to complain about your legal bill.
Discriminated against or harassed
If a lawyer or paralegal discriminated against you or harassed you, you can get free legal information from the LSO's Discrimination and Harassment Counsel program. You learn what your options are, for example, if you can:
- complain to the LSO, or
- make a human rights claim at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
The program does not give legal advice or refer you to lawyers or paralegals who can represent you.
Sexual abuse
If your complaint involves sexual abuse, call the LSO's toll-free number for sexual complaints at 1-888-226-1814.
Sexual abuse is when a person does something that's of a sexual nature. For example, it can be physical, like a touch or gesture. Or it can be something that they say, text or give you.
Learn more on the LSO’s website.
You can also call the police to report the lawyer or paralegal's unwanted sexual behaviour. You do not have to complain to the LSO first.