Law Society of Upper Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) is responsible for the self-regulation of lawyers in the Canadian province of Ontario. Founded in 1797, it is known in French as "Le Barreau du Haut-Canada". The motto of the Society is "Let Right Prevail".
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[edit] History and Function
The Law Society of Upper Canada was created almost 20 years before the earliest such association in any other Canadian province or territory. The creation of this self-governing body by an Act of the Legislative Assembly was an innovation in the English-speaking world and it became the model for law societies across Canada and the United States.
The Law Society regulates approximately 40,000 lawyers in Ontario. It is responsible for ensuring that lawyers are both ethical and competent. The Society has the power to set standards for admission into the profession. It can discipline lawyers who violate those standards. Available sanctions range from admonitions to disbarment. It is based in Toronto, at Osgoode Hall.
Unlike other provincial law societies (which have Presidents), the Law Society of Upper Canada is headed by a Treasurer. He or she is selected by, and from among, the Benchers, who comprise "Convocation" - in effect, the Society's board of governors. The Benchers in turn are mostly elected by the Society's members, with a few "lay Benchers" appointed by the provincial government. The Attorney-General is however the titular head of the Bar.[citation needed]
The current Treasurer is Gavin MacKenzie. The current CEO, or staff head, of the Society, is Malcolm Heins. In 2006, the Law Society had close to 400 staff.
In a form of invitational competition, the Law Society has been designated one of "Canada's top 100 employers" every year since 2003.[1]
