LSO: New Directory Information By-Law 8 Expands Public Disclosure

• The Law Society of Ontario's public directory now includes new information for lawyers and paralegals, effective September 1.
• The updated directory lists licensee findings of guilt, practice in other regulated professions, and intentions to seek interlocutory relief based on charges.
• These changes stem from amendments to By-Law 8 and are part of the LSO's Increased Transparency initiative, approved by Convocation in May.
• Guilt findings cover specific offenses under various acts, including the Criminal Code, and any statute alleging dishonesty or relating to professional business.
• New reporting requirements under By-Law 8 came into force for all licensees on March 31.

This significant expansion of the LSO directory, driven by amendments to By-Law 8, aims to enhance public access to relevant licensee information and reinforce the Law Society's public protection mandate.

The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has implemented substantial updates to its public directory for lawyers and paralegals, introducing new categories of information accessible to the public. These changes, driven by amendments to By-Law 8, officially took effect on September 1. The enhanced LSO directory new information By-Law 8 now includes details regarding licensee findings of guilt, their practice in other regulated professions, and the Law Society's intention to seek interlocutory relief. This last category applies in specific circumstances involving criminal or other charges, and the information will be disclosed before an interlocutory proceeding commences or an undertaking by the subject licensee is executed.

This significant expansion of the LSO directory, driven by amendments to By-Law 8, aims to enhance public access to relevant licensee information and reinforce the Law Society's public protection mandate. According to the LSO, these enhanced transparency measures are a direct reflection of its commitment to safeguarding the public interest. The Convocation of the Law Society greenlit these By-Law 8 reforms in May, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of licensee disclosure. The approval supported the early release of additional pertinent data within the directory, while also acknowledging that existing mechanisms, such as interlocutory measures and undertakings, already provided adequate disclosure in matters concerning criminal or other charges.

A key component of the LSO By-Law 8 amendments is the inclusion of specific findings of guilt. In September 2025, LSO benchers voted to mandate that the Law Society of Ontario directory indicate if lawyers and paralegals have been found guilty of or convicted on particular offenses. These offenses span a wide range of statutes, including the Criminal Code, the Income Tax Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Excise Tax Act. Additionally, provincial or territorial tax or securities laws are covered, as are any other statutes where the charge alleges dishonesty on the part of the licensee or relates in any way to the licensee's professional business.

These new reporting requirements under By-Law 8 became effective for all licensees on March 31, preceding the directory's updated launch. The comprehensive nature of these disclosures underscores the LSO's commitment to increased transparency, ensuring that the public has access to critical information that could influence their perception of a licensee's professional conduct. Separately, Convocation also approved modifications to By-Law 15, which outline the criteria for paralegals to be certified specialists and permit paralegals to apply for this designation.

The recent changes to the Law Society of Ontario directory represent the culmination of the LSO Increased Transparency initiative, with Convocation's May approval serving as the final stage of this multi-year effort. The journey toward enhanced disclosure began with consultations on increased transparency in 2024. Subsequently, in 2025, enhanced licensee reporting and increased disclosure in the directory were approved in principle, setting the stage for the detailed amendments now in effect. The updated lawyer and paralegal directory itself was unveiled to the public in June, showcasing the new functionalities and information categories.

For lawyers and paralegals, this expanded LSO regulated professions disclosure means a more comprehensive public professional profile. The inclusion of licensee guilt findings directory entries and details about practice in other regulated professions could significantly impact client perception and professional reputation. Licensees are now subject to a higher degree of public scrutiny, making it imperative to understand the full scope of information that is now publicly available. This move by the LSO aims to provide the public with more complete and relevant information, aligning with the Law Society's overarching mandate to protect the public.

Lawyers and paralegals in Ontario must be aware that the LSO's public directory now includes findings of guilt and practice in other regulated professions, which could impact their public professional profile and client perception. This increased transparency requires licensees to understand the scope of disclosed information and manage their professional reputation accordingly.

Source: Original reporting via legal news source