Are the services confidential?

Yes. All information received by the Discrimination & Harassment Counsel is kept strictly confidential. The only information provided to the Law Society is anonymous statistical data showing the number and nature of complaints.

How much do the services of the Discrimination & Harassment Counsel Program cost?

The DHC’s services are offered free-of-charge to the general public, including law and paralegal firm staff, students, lawyers and paralegals.

Can the Discrimination & Harassment Counsel (DHC) help me if my complaint deals with someone who is not a lawyer?

The mandate of the DHC is limited to discrimination and harassment complaints against lawyers and paralegals. The DHC therefore cannot assist you with a complaint against individuals such as landlords, the police, or a non-legal employer. The DHC may, however, be able to assist you with a complaint that arises within a law or paralegal firm or legal clinic, even if the alleged perpetrator of the discrimination or harassment is not a lawyer or paralegal, because the firm or legal clinic bears ultimate responsibility for the conduct of its employees. If you experience discrimination or harassment by someone other than a lawyer or paralegal who works for a firm or legal clinic, and the firm or legal clinic does not take appropriate steps to address your concerns, then the DHC may be able to assist you with respect to the firm's or legal clinic's failure to deal with your complaint.

The DHC's mandate includes complaints against student members of the Law Society. The DHC can therefore assist you with a complaint against an articling student who is not yet called to the bar. The DHC cannot, however, deal with complaints against judges, since judges' membership in the Law Society is suspended while they are appointed to the bench.

Can the Discrimination and Harassment Counsel help me if my complaint is not based on any human rights grounds?

No. The DHC program is an equity initiative that is mandated to deal only with complaints of discrimination or harassment that are based on one or more of the following grounds: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, same-sex partnership status, age, marital status, family status and disability.

What happens if my complaint about my lawyer or paralegal doesn't deal with discrimination or harassment?

The Law Society of Upper Canada is responsible for all complaints about lawyers and licensed paralegals in Ontario. If you have a complaint about a lawyer or paralegal that involves some other issue, for example your lawyer or paralegal is not returning your telephone calls, or you feel they did not properly represent you, you can contact the Law Society's Client Service Centre at: 1-800-268-7568.

Does the Discrimination & Harassment Counsel work for the Law Society?

No. The DHC Program is funded by the Law Society but operates separately and at arm's length from the Law Society. The DHC is not an employee of the Law Society.

Do I have to file a complaint?

No. You are not required to file a complaint. This is a personal decision that only you can make. Some people who contact the DHC just want to tell someone about the problem. Others want information on their options so they can think about whether to file a complaint. The DHC will support your decision on how you want to handle your situation.