Law Society of Ontario Introduces Contingency Planning Requirements
It is trite to say that it is important to plan for the unexpected. Many lawyers and paralegals are in the business of helping their clients plan for the unexpected, whether through contract negotiations, settlement agreements, or preparing wills and powers of attorney. However, are these same lawyers and paralegals prepared for the unexpected as it relates to their legal practice? As of January 1, 2025, the Law Society of Ontario has implemented rules relating to client contingency planning to account for what happens if a lawyer or paralegal in private practice, referred to as a licensee, is unable to practice, either temporarily or permanently, due to illness, incapacity, sudden absence, or death.