Permanent Transfer Under the NMA or TMA

Purpose

Lawyers who wish to be licensed in Ontario who are from Canadian jurisdictions that have signed and/or implemented the National Mobility Agreement (PDF) (NMA) or the Territorial Mobility Agreement (PDF) (TMA) (reciprocating jurisdictions) may apply for permanent mobility under subsection 9(2) of By-Law 4.

Lawyers from the following reciprocating jurisdictions may apply for permanent transfer in order to be licensed in Ontario:

National Mobility Agreement

British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland
Prince Edward Island

Territorial Mobility Agreement

Northwest Territories
Yukon
Nunavut

Lawyers from Quebec who wish to obtain a class L1 licence must apply by way of the licensing examinations under subsection 9(1) of By-Law 4, as Quebec has not implemented the National Mobility Agreement.

Who can apply

Lawyers from reciprocating jurisdictions who are in good standing and entitled to practise in their home jurisdiction may apply to be licensed in Ontario under subsection 9(2) of By-Law 4, based on the National Mobility Agreement or the Territorial Mobility Agreement. Applicants must remain entitled to practice in their home jurisdiction until they are called in Ontario.

Application Requirements

    • Completed and original Application for Licence under the National Mobility Agreement or the Territorial Mobility Agreement and subsection 9(2) of By-Law 4
    •  Non-refundable fee for administration, reading material, and licensing
        Original Certificates(s) of Standing (dated within the last 30 days) from each Law Society of which you are or have been a member, inside and outside of Canada. NOTE: Your Certificate(s) of Standing must be replaced if it becomes more than 60 days old at the time your application is ready to be approved by Complaints & Compliance  
         
    • A notarized copy of your Canadian Birth Certificate as proof of age and full legal name, OR
      A notarized copy (front and back) of your Canadian Citizenship Card
    • Two colour passport photos taken within the past 12 months
    • Original required Reading Declaration
    • Additional documents as required
    • Information regarding your complete work history for the last 5 years

All applications and related information and documentation must be correct, complete and received by the Complaints &Compliance department no later than 15 business days prior to the applicant's anticipated licensing date   

Application Process

This is a two-part process:

PART I Application for permanent transfer and completion of the required reading materials

All applications and attachments are reviewed by Complaints & Compliance. If the review reveals that the application cannot be approved then a Complaints & Compliance Law Clerk will contact the applicant to request additional information or advise of changes.

Applicants must read the required reading materials and submit the original signed Reading Declaration before applications will be approved for licensing.

Complaints & Compliance requires at least 15 business days to process the application for transfer and will notify applicants in writing confirming their approval.

PART II Licensing Process

The Licensing Process, Licensing and Accreditation department will contact applicants to provide details regarding the licensing process, once the application for transfer has been approved by Complaints & Compliance and the original Reading Declaration has been submitted.

Non-refundable Administrative Fees

A non-refundable application fee in the amount of $1450 + HST must be submitted along with the application for permanent transfer. The application fee includes the administrative processing fee, the cost of reading materials, and licensing.

NOTE: Annual Law Society membership fees are payable once the licence has been granted.

Links to Application and additional information

Links to Applicable By-Law and Agreements

Questions

All questions about the application for transfer should be directed to Complaints & Compliance by contacting the Law Society at (416) 947-3315 (toll-free 1-800-668-7380 x3315) and asking to be transferred, or emailing Complaints & Compliance at lsforms@lsuc.on.ca.

All questions about the Licensing Process should be directed to the Licensing Process, Licensing and Accreditation department by contacting the Law Society at (416) 947-3315 (toll-free 1-800-668-7380 x3315) and asking to be transferred, or emailing the Licensing Process, Licensing and Accreditation department using the Contact Page.

Accessibility

The Law Society of Upper Canada is committed to ensuring that our websites and web applications are accessible for people with disabilities. We have also made efforts to make Law Society documents accessible to everyone. If you need any of our documents or forms in an alternate format that is accessible to you, please contact us.