The biggest conversation at Queen's Law this year...
Why do we have articling?
Currently, in Ontario, there are more law school grads than articling positions every year. Every year, law grads are unable to find articling jobs, and either pursue alternative careers or accept unpaid, volunteer positions. Law students are now turning towards the LPP, but the program faces different criticisms.
Queen's Law and LSS are pleased to invite Peter Wardle, a bencher from the Law Society of Ontario, to speak on the issues and the very real options to consider, and answer any questions you have.
The changes coming have already and will affect current students at Queen's Law!
Pizza will be provided.
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The Law Society is undertaking an important review of the licensing process. The Law Society is seeking feedback on the following four options:
Option 1: Current Model: The current two transitional training pathways would be retained, taking into account the fact that the current model is continuously adjusted to accommodate new developments.
Option 2: Current Model with Enhancements: The current two transitional training pathways would be retained, with enhancements. These enhancements include a requirement that candidates be paid at the statutory minimum wage, audits and greater oversight of articling and work placements. Candidates would be required to pass the barrister and solicitor licensing examinations as a prerequisite to transitional training and then pass a new skills examination in order to become licensed.
Option 3: Examination-Based Licensing: Candidates would be licensed after they first complete the barrister and solicitor licensing examinations and then the new skills examination. Transitional training, such as the requirement to complete articling or the LPP/PPD, would be eliminated as a requirement of licensure. The management of regulatory risk would shift to post-call and depend on the career path of the new licensee. Candidates who choose not to practise law and licensees practising in a workplace of six or more lawyers would not be subject to any additional requirements. Licensees practising as sole practitioners or in a firm with fewer than six lawyers would also be required to complete a new practice essentials course and would be subject to audit within their first few years of practice.
Option 4: LPP for all Candidates: All licensing candidates would be required to complete the training course component of the LPP/PPD, without the work placement component. Candidates would also be required to successfully complete the Barrister and Solicitor examinations and the new Skills Examination.
