What is the Good Character Requirement?

To be licensed as a lawyer or a paralegal in Ontario, the Law Society Act requires that an applicant be of “good character.”  The good character requirement is ongoing, applying to applicants throughout their licensing term.

The good character requirement is intended to protect the public and maintain high ethical standards in the professions by ensuring that persons who are licensed as lawyers and paralegals show respect for the rule of law and the administration of justice and conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and candour.