We are the national association of Canada’s regulators of the legal profession.
Who We Are
The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is the national association of the 14 law societies mandated by the provinces and territories to regulate Canada’s legal profession in the public interest. The Federation facilitates the sharing of information on important trends and issues, coordinates the development of national standards and the harmonization of law society rules and procedures, and undertakes national initiatives on behalf of law societies. It is also the law societies’ national and international voice on important issues related to the regulation and core values of the legal profession.
Our 2020 – 2025 Strategic Plan
Strategic Goal I: Information Sharing
Strategic Goal I: Information Sharing
The Federation is the national information-sharing centre for law societies. We monitor, analyze and share information with our member law societies on important national and international trends and issues. This includes facilitating the sharing of information, resources and expertise among members. As a result, our members have valuable information to assist them in carrying out their functions and making informed decisions.
To deliver on this Strategic Goal we will:
- Provide law societies with comparative statistical data about law societies and the legal profession.
- Share information on law society initiatives and national and international trends and issues.
- Facilitate the exchange of information through the counterpart groups.
- Enhance sharing of discipline and admission information among law societies.
- Organize national forums for exploring issues of strategic importance to law societies.
Strategic Goal II: Collaboration
Strategic Goal II: Collaboration
The Federation is the national collaboration hub for law societies. We act as a coordinator and facilitator for national collaboration efforts, providing support to national programs and projects, and harmonized standards and policies. Collaboration leads to reduced duplication, enhanced efficiency, and greater consistency across law societies.
To deliver on this Strategic Goal we will:
- Support law societies in responding to issues relating to the well-being of members of the legal profession and law society staff.
- Explore initiatives to support law societies’ responses to emerging legal technologies.
- Demonstrate leadership in addressing access to legal services.
- Develop recommendations for a national good-character standard.
- Support law society regulation to mitigate money laundering and terrorist financing risks in the practice of law.
- Foster reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada by responding meaningfully to the TRC Calls to Action.
- Develop and implement a new competency-based assessment system for internationally trained lawyers.
- Demonstrate leadership on issues related to legal ethics.
- Maintain support for the implementation of national discipline standards.
Strategic Goal III: Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
Strategic Goal III: Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
The Federation is the respected national voice of law societies. We engage with national and international stakeholders on issues of mutual interest and, with the consent of our members, we speak out on specific issues of national and international importance involving justice and regulatory matters. Speaking with one voice strengthens our message. Our national profile streamlines two-way communication with external stakeholders.
To deliver on this Strategic Goal we will:
- Engage with the Indigenous Bar Association on issues of common concern.
- Increase engagement with the legal academy.
- Represent the views of the law societies on issues of national importance through advocacy with the federal government.
- Represent the views of the law societies on issues of national importance through interventions in court proceedings.
- Continue engagement with a wide range of national and international stakeholders.