What We Do
We are the national association of provincial and territorial regulators of the legal profession, and the body through which they collaborate at the national level.
Overview
While the legal profession is governed independently in each province and territory of Canada, law societies recognize that it is in the public interest for the regulation of the profession to be consistent across the country. As the national association of Canada’s law societies, the Federation is the body through which the law societies advance this goal. We work with the law societies to develop and harmonize rules of conduct and standards for the profession, undertake initiatives that are better carried out at the national level, and share information to ensure law societies are up to date on important trends and issues. We are also the national and international voice of the law societies on important issues related to the regulation and core values of the legal profession.
Fighting Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
To prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, the Federation develops national rules of conduct and resources to assist lawyers in reducing the risk of being involved in money laundering and terrorist financing. These include “know-your-client” rules and others related to handling client funds, all while protecting their clients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality.
Truth and Reconciliation
The Federation is fully committed to working with representatives of Canada’s Indigenous communities, law societies and other members of the profession in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action directed to the country’s legal community.
Model Code of Professional Conduct
The Federation works with the law societies to develop high ethical standards for the profession. It has created and regularly reviews and updates the Model Code of Professional Conduct to harmonize standards of conduct across the country and respond to emerging ethical issues.
National Discipline Standards
To increase public trust, the Federation works closely with Canada’s law societies, developing high standards of discipline that ensure complaints are responded to in a way that is consistent, fair and transparent.
Wellness of the Legal Profession
It is in the public interest for members of the legal profession to take care of their mental health. Following its national conference on the well-being of members of the legal profession, the Federation is partnering in a national well-being study with the Université de Sherbrooke, with the support of Canada’s law societies and the Canadian Bar Association. It’s an important step towards creating a healthier legal profession in Canada.
Advocacy on Behalf of Canada’s Law Societies
Recognizing that speaking with one voice strengthens their message, the law societies turn to the Federation as their national and international voice on issues related to the regulation and core values of the legal profession.
Facilitating National Mobility of the Legal Profession
The Federation works to ensure that members of the legal profession can move easily between jurisdictions in order to practice law, regardless of where in Canada they were trained or called to the Bar.
Approving Canadian Law School Programs
Common law programs at Canadian universities are approved by the Federation to ensure they meet the educational standard for legal training set by Canada’s law societies. Graduates of approved programs qualify for admission to Canadian law societies.
Access to Legal Services
Making legal services more accessible to all Canadians increases confidence in the justice system. The Federation and law societies work together to discuss best practices for increasing access to justice and explore innovative ways for Canadians to resolve their legal disputes.
Certifying Internationally Educated Lawyers and Law Graduates
The National Committee on Accreditation (NCA) assesses the legal education of law graduates and lawyers who studied outside of Canada, and of graduates of civil law programs in Canada. Once NCA applicants complete courses or exams assigned by the NCA, they qualify for admission to law societies in common law jurisdictions.