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“Will the LSO consider delaying the articling recruitment timeline or varying the articling term for the upcoming year?”
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The LSO has advised of two updates related to articling students:
- for the 2021-22 licensing cycle, the articling recruitment timelines for all markets and employers will be deferred. Employers and students will be advised of the revised Recruitment Procedures and timelines by May 15, 2020 (see here for details) ; and,
- for the 2020-21 licensing cycle, the minimum required length of articling placements will be temporarily reduced from ten months to eight months 2020 (see here for details).
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“When will the LSO reschedule the March and June licensing examinations that were cancelled?” Students are concerned about certainty in preparing for examinations.”
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The LSO is working to reschedule the March 2020 solicitor licensing examination to the week of July 19, 2020, with potential contingency dates in August and the early fall of 2020. The rescheduled March Exam would be held in Toronto and Ottawa. The LSO is also exploring online delivery options and will provide updates on the availability of an online examination in a timely manner so that candidates can plan their study time accordingly.
Regarding June 2020 examinations, the LSO is investigating the possibility of a barrister licensing exam during the week of August 23, 2020, and a solicitor licensing exam during the week of September 6, 2020 offered in the normal locations (i.e. Toronto, Ottawa, Windsor, London, and Thunder Bay). The LSO is working on contingency plans, including online delivery for the June exams if rescheduled sittings cannot proceed.
Note: Thanks to the OBA’s Student Executive, other students and law professors across the province, we have heard the concerns students have about their summer placements, articling positions, grades, and their future in the profession. In addition to raising students’ concerns with decision-makers, the OBA has developed a series of supports for its student members to help them through the next couple of months, including three free information sessions as part of the OBA Expert Edge program, including Tips for Academic Success in a Remote Environment, COVID-19 and the Legal Job Market, and Retaining Your Exam Prep. View more details and register at oba.org/edge.
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“What plan is the LSO putting in place for the June licensing examinations to proceed? Students are concerned about needing to prepare for examinations and have them cancelled at the last minute.”
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The LSO has cancelled the lawyer licensing examinations and the call to the Bar ceremonies previously scheduled to take place in June 2020.
For more information see the LSO: COVID-19 Response (Licensing & Accreditation Information FAQs).
Note: Thanks to the OBA’s Student Executive, other students and law professors across the province, we have heard the concerns students have about their summer placements, articling positions, grades, and their future in the profession. In addition to raising students’ concerns with decision-makers, the OBA has developed a series of supports for its student members to help them through the next couple of months, including three free information sessions as part of the OBA Expert Edge program, including Tips for Academic Success in a Remote Environment, COVID-19 and the Legal Job Market, and Retaining Your Exam Prep. View more details and register at oba.org/edge.
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