What happens to your LSO licence when you take leave
When you take a leave of absence from legal practice, your Law Society of Ontario (LSO) licence does not automatically suspend, but it does move into an inactive status. You remain a member of the Law Society, but you cannot practise law, appear in court, or hold client funds while on leave. The licence itself stays on the LSO's records — you do not lose it — but you cannot use it until you formally reinstate it.
The reinstatement process depends on how long you were away and what type of leave you took. A short leave of a few weeks may require only a straightforward notification back to the LSO. A longer absence — months or years — typically requires you to complete additional steps to demonstrate you are ready to return to practice.
The LSO does not automatically contact you when your leave period ends. You must initiate reinstatement yourself by contacting the Law Society and following their current procedures.
Key Takeaways
- Your LSO licence remains valid during leave but is inactive; you cannot practise law until you reinstate it.
- Reinstatement requirements vary based on the length of your absence and whether you took approved leave or went inactive without formal notice.
- You must contact the LSO directly to begin reinstatement — the Law Society does not restart your licence automatically.
- Longer absences may require you to complete continuing legal education (CLE) hours or provide proof of professional liability insurance before reinstatement is approved.
- The reinstatement timeline depends on your circumstances and the LSO's current processing, but you should expect to wait several weeks to several months.
Steps to reinstate your licence after a short leave
If you took a formal, approved leave of absence lasting a few weeks to a few months, reinstatement is usually straightforward. Contact the LSO's Member Services team by phone or through the LSO website and notify them that you are ready to return to practice. Have your membership number ready.
The LSO will confirm your leave status and provide you with a reinstatement form or checklist specific to your situation. For short leaves, you may only need to confirm that you have maintained your professional liability insurance and that your contact information is current. Some members are asked to confirm they have not engaged in any conduct that would affect their fitness to practise during their absence.
Once the LSO receives your completed reinstatement request and confirms all requirements are met, your licence is reactivated. You will receive written confirmation from the Law Society, and your name will reappear in the LSO's public directory of lawyers in good standing.
Reinstatement after a long or informal absence
If you have been away from practice for more than six months, or if you went inactive without formally notifying the LSO, reinstatement involves more steps. The Law Society treats longer absences as a higher-risk return to practice and requires additional verification that you are fit to resume work with clients.
You will typically be asked to provide proof that your professional liability insurance is current and that you have completed a minimum number of continuing legal education hours. The exact CLE requirement varies — the LSO publishes the current standard on its website, but it often ranges from 12 to 30 hours depending on how long you were away and your area of practice.
You may also be required to complete a fitness to practise assessment or provide references from other lawyers or judges who can confirm you are ready to return. The LSO may ask for a detailed explanation of your absence and your plans for re-entering practice, particularly if you were away for several years.
Professional liability insurance and reinstatement
Before the LSO will reinstate your licence, you must have professional liability insurance (errors and omissions insurance) in force. If your policy lapsed during your leave, you need to renew it before you submit your reinstatement request. Insurance companies sometimes require a statement from you about the gap in coverage, but most will reinstate a policy without penalty if the lapse was brief.
Contact your insurance broker or the provider you used before your leave and ask about reinstatement. Provide them with the dates of your absence and confirm the coverage limits meet the LSO's current minimum requirements — these minimums change periodically and are posted on the Law Society website.
Do not reinstate your licence with the LSO until your insurance is in place. The Law Society verifies insurance status as part of the reinstatement process, and if your policy is not active, your reinstatement will be delayed or denied.
Continuing legal education requirements for returning lawyers
The LSO requires all lawyers to complete continuing legal education each year, but the requirement is waived or reduced during approved leaves of absence. When you return from leave, you may owe back CLE hours depending on how long you were away.
The Law Society publishes a CLE completion schedule on its website, and you can calculate how many hours you owe based on your leave dates. Some hours can be completed before reinstatement, which can speed up the process. Others must be completed within a set period after reinstatement — typically within 12 months of your return.
CLE courses are offered by law schools, bar associations, and private legal education providers. Many are available online, and some are free or low-cost. The LSO maintains a list of approved providers on its website.
Timeline and what to expect during reinstatement
A short reinstatement for a leave of a few weeks may take two to four weeks from the date you submit your request. Longer absences or cases where the LSO requires additional documentation can take two to three months or longer.
After you contact the LSO, you will receive a letter or email outlining the specific steps you need to complete and the important date for submitting each item. Keep copies of everything you send and note the dates. If you do not hear back within the timeframe the LSO provided, contact Member Services to confirm receipt.
Once all requirements are met and the LSO approves your reinstatement, you will receive written confirmation. Your licence becomes active when ready, and you can resume practice. Your name will be restored to the public directory within a few business days.
What to do if your reinstatement is delayed or denied
If the LSO denies your reinstatement request, you will receive a written decision explaining the reason. Common reasons include incomplete documentation, lapsed professional liability insurance, or concerns about fitness to practise. The letter will tell you whether you can reapply and what additional steps you need to take.
If you believe the decision is incorrect or if you have questions about the reason for denial, you can request a review or appeal. The LSO's Member Services team can explain your options and direct you to the appropriate internal review process. Some decisions can be appealed to the LSO's Fitness to Practise Committee or to the Divisional Court, depending on the nature of the denial.
If your reinstatement is straightforward delayed, contact Member Services for a status update. Delays often occur because documentation is incomplete or because the LSO is processing a high volume of requests. Providing missing information promptly can move your case forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay a reinstatement fee to the LSO?
The LSO does not charge a separate reinstatement fee for returning from leave. You remain responsible for your annual membership fees, which continue to be due even during approved leave. If your fees were not paid during your absence, you will need to pay any arrears before reinstatement is approved. Contact the LSO's Finance department to confirm your account status.
Can I practise law while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. You cannot practise law, accept new clients, or appear in court until the LSO formally reactivates your licence. Practising while inactive is a breach of the Law Society Act and can result in discipline. If you need to handle urgent matters for existing clients during the reinstatement process, you must associate with another lawyer who is currently licensed and in good standing.
What if I took leave without formally notifying the LSO?
If you went inactive without submitting a formal leave request, the reinstatement process is more involved. The LSO will treat this as an unplanned absence and may require additional documentation, including a detailed explanation of why you were away and confirmation that you did not engage in unauthorized practice. Contact Member Services as soon as possible to clarify your status and begin the reinstatement process.
Do I need to complete CLE hours before I reinstate, or after?
This depends on the LSO's current policy and the length of your absence. Some CLE can be completed before reinstatement to speed up the process. Other hours must be completed within a set period after reinstatement. The LSO will specify which hours are required before reinstatement and which can be completed afterward in your reinstatement letter.
What happens to my client files and trust account during leave?
If you had an active practice before your leave, you should have transferred client files to another lawyer and closed your trust account before going on leave. If you did not, the LSO may require you to do so before reinstatement is approved. Contact the Law Society's practice advisory service if you need guidance on how to handle outstanding client matters.