by AAC LAWPRO

The Law Society’s Alternative Business Structures Working Group has now posted its Alternative Business Structures Discussion Paper on the Law Society’s dedicated web page at www.lsuc.on.ca/ABS/

This Discussion Paper was released on September 24, 2014, to seek input from lawyers, paralegals, stakeholders and the public about Alternative Business Structures (ABS). The Law Society’s ABS Working Group has been reviewing extensive research on the topic and communicating about it with key representatives of the legal professions and other experts since 2012. The discussion paper provides context and background to help everyone understand ABS and describes a series of considerations and ethical issues.

The Law Society has not yet decided whether ABS should be permitted in Ontario. Any innovative steps need to be balanced with appropriate regulatory oversight. Further consideration of the legal services marketplace may be required. The input the Law Society receives in response to the discussion paper will be used by the ABS Working Group to consider the next steps to be taken, which are anticipated to include regional meetings and other discussions.

The Law Society is interested in both general comments about the appropriateness of the ABS model for Ontario, as well as specific comments about particular considerations or issues, or about the four models presented in the discussion paper. Differing views, including challenging perspectives or approaches, are welcome.

Comments should be sent to the Law Society by December 31, 2014 and may submitted to [email protected] or by mail to:

ABS Discussion
Policy Secretariat
Law Society of Upper Canada
Osgoode Hall
130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N6

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