2. Make a complaint

To make a complaint to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), you must fill out a complaint form. You can get the form online or by mail by calling the calling the Complaints & Compliance Department at 1-800-668-7380.

Include the following information:

• your name, address, telephone number, and other contact information
• name and address of the lawyer or paralegal you’re complaining about
• details about your complaint, including what you think the lawyer or paralegal did wrong
• names and contact information of any witnesses and other sources of information about your complaint
• documents you believe support your complaint

For example, you may want to include your retainer letter, invoices, letters from the lawyer or paralegal, and court documents. Attach copies of any documents to the complaint form.

Sign your completed complaint form, and fax or mail it to:

Complaints & Compliance 
Law Society of Ontario
Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N6
General line: 416-947-3315
Toll-free: 1-800-668-7380
Fax: 416-947-5263

Additional information

The LSO may contact your for more information about your complaint. Respond to their requests quickly. If you don’t respond and they close your file, the LSO will not consider additional documents, information, or complaints about the lawyer or paralegal if the issues should have been raised in your original complaint.

Timelines

If you want to make a complaint, do it as soon as possible. Complaints must be filed within 3 years of when the problem happened or you became aware of the problem.

If you’re complaining about a case that is still happening, you don’t have to wait until it is over to make a complaint. But, the LSO may not be able to deal with your complaint until your case is finished.