Frequently Asked Questions
General:
For the Public:
For Lawyers/Members:
General:
Q. What is the CBA?
A. The Canadian Bar Association is a professional organization that provides educational and networking opportunities for lawyers. The Canadian Bar Association represents more than 36,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers, and law students from across Canada. The CBA is committed to enhancing the professional and commercial interests of a diverse membership and to protecting the independence of the judiciary and the Bar. More...
Q. What is a Law Society?
A. In Canada, there are Law Societies in each province and territory that govern the legal profession in that jurisdiction. In Quebec there are two professional bodies, the Barreau du Québec and the Chambre des notaires. In each province/territory, a lawyer must be a member of a Canadian Law Society in order to offer his or her services as a lawyer to the public. The Law Societies make sure that their members meet professional standards. The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is an umbrella organization for the provincial/territorial law societies.
Q. Where can I learn more about Canada's justice and court systems, and where can I receive essential legal information?
A. The Department of Justice Web site provides detailed information on Canada's Justice and Court systems. The Department also produces an online booklet called "Canada's System of Justice", which provides a good overview of the Canadian legal system.
The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association operates Dial-A-Law, a free service available by phone and online, which provides a library of practical information about BC law in the form of scripts prepared by lawyers.
In every province in Canada, there are Public Legal Information organizations that educate and inform the public about the law and the legal system.
For additional resources, please consult our legal links.
For the Public:
Finding/contacting a lawyer
Q. I need legal assistance but can't afford a lawyer. How can I get help?
A. Legal aid services are government-funded or subsidized legal services for people having difficulty affording legal services, which allows everyone to have access to justice. Pro bono services are legal services provided by lawyers, free of charge, out of their commitment to the public interest and access to justice. To find out more about qualifying for legal aid, contact the provincial legal aid plan. For more information on pro bono, visit the CBA Pro Bono Web site.
Q. I need legal assistance but I don't know a lawyer. Where can I find one?
A. Most Law Societies provide a Lawyer Referral Service in each province and territory. The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association offers a BC referral service in that province. If you need assistance in obtaining a lawyer to represent you, a Lawyer Referral Service will provide you with the name of a lawyer in your area who practises in the area of law relating to your issue.
Q. I need to contact a specific lawyer, but I've lost track of him/her. What's the best way to locate an individual lawyer?
A. The Canadian Bar Association does not maintain a comprehensive list of all lawyers in Canada. However, most lawyers practicing in Canada and Quebec notaries are listed on the Canadian Law List Web site. The Canadian Law List provides access to a comprehensive listing of Canadian lawyers and judges and the types of industries law firms represent.
Lawyer conduct and 'good standing'
Q. I have a question / concern about my lawyer's conduct. Who can help me?
A. The Canadian Bar Association does not discipline lawyers or mediate lawyer-client disputes. The Law Societies in each province/territory are responsible for making sure that lawyers practise law competently and ethically. They can discipline lawyers who do not meet these standards. You might be able to resolve your concern if you get in touch with your lawyer right away. It might be a simple misunderstanding that can be cleared up with a conversation. If a resolution between you and your lawyer cannot be reached, contact the Law Society in your province/territory with the details of your concern.
Q. How do I find out whether a specific lawyer is in "good standing"?
A. The Canadian Bar Association cannot make a determination of a lawyer's "good standing". The Law Societies in each province/territory are responsible for making sure that lawyers practise law competently and ethically. Contact the Law Society in your province/territory for more information.
Becoming a lawyer
Q. I am currently a student and would like to become a lawyer. Where can I find information on law schools?
A. Jurist Canada maintains a listing of Canadian law school Web sites.
For Lawyers/Members:
Coming to Canada to practice law
Q. I am currently attending a law school outside Canada / practicing law in another country. How can I become a recognized lawyer in Canada?
A. Training and qualification requirements for lawyers from outside Canada can be obtained from the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.
Web site access
Q. Why can't I log in the Members-Only section of the CBA Web site?
A. First, ensure that you've entered your last name and membership number correctly. Be sure to enter your last name only and include all accents.
Login problems are usually due to unpaid or overdue membership fees. Check your records or with your firm to ensure that your dues are up to date. Then, contact the CBA Membership Department at 1-800-267-8860 or memberservice@cba.org, so that we can confirm your status.
If your membership is found to be up-to-date, you will then be forwarded to one of our technical staff who will help you troubleshoot your access problems.
Q. I can't find my membership number. Who do I contact?
A. To retrieve your membership number, contact the CBA Membership Department at 1-800-267-8860; memberservice@cba.org.
