Public Concerns Pathway

Submit a Complaint

The Law Society of Saskatchewan regulates lawyers and limited licensees in the province. One of its jobs is to look into complaints about a lawyer’s or limited licensee’s conduct (how they act) and competence (how well they do their job).

The Law Society does not:

•   Give legal advice.
•   Provide you with a lawyer or limited licensee.
•   Start or run legal cases for you.
•   Decide if a lawyer’s or limited licensee’s fees are fair.

The Law Society also does not compensate complainants. If a complaint goes ahead, the most the Law Society can do is discipline the lawyer or limited licensee.

The Law Society cannot investigate complaints about:

• Judges
• Police/RCMP
• The justice system in general
• Government agencies (like Legal Aid)

Confidentiality (Privacy)

When you file a complaint against a lawyer or limited licensee, the Law Society will usually send it to that lawyer or limited licensee for a response. If there is a hearing, the lawyer or limited licensee may also see other information, including witness statements.

Hearings are normally open to the public for transparency. But they can be closed (in full or in part) if:

•   client information is protected by solicitor-client privilege; or
•   information is highly sensitive.

At the end of a hearing, a written decision will be published on the Law Society’s website. Client and witness names are usually hidden (for example, replaced with initials) to protect privacy.

If you have concerns about your privacy or how much of your complaint may become public, please contact the Law Society.

Steps to Make a Complaint

Step 1 – Fill out a complaint form:

Use the online complaint form or the printable form. Include your contact information, the lawyer’s or limited licensee’s information, and the details of your concerns. Be clear about what happened (who, where, when, and how).

Step 2 – Provide supporting documents:

Include copies of any documents or evidence that support your complaint.

Step 3 – Third-Party Authorization Form (if needed)

If you are filing a complaint on someone else’s behalf, they must sign the Third-Party Authorization Form and you must provide it with your complaint. The complaint cannot continue without it.

Step 4 – Submit your complaint:

Online forms are sent to the Law Society instantly.

PDF or paper forms can be emailed, mailed, or faxed to:

•   Email:   [email protected]
•   Mail:     Complaints Intake, Law Society of Saskatchewan, #1100 – 2002 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 0R7
•   Fax:     306-352-2989

What Happens After You File a Complaint

Intake Review

The Complaints Intake Officer checks your form and the documents you sent. They will confirm by mail or email that it was received. They may follow up with you to ask questions or to request other documents.

Assignment

Once the Complaints Intake Officer has completed their review of your complaint and documents, and asked any further questions, your file will be assigned to a Professional Responsibility Counsel. The Professional Responsibility Counsel will decide if an investigation should begin.

Investigation

If Professional Responsibility Counsel wants a response from the lawyer or limited licensee, your complaint is sent to the lawyer or limited licensee so they can respond.

Professional Responsibility Counsel may ask you for more information. To avoid delays, respond quickly and completely, and keep your contact information up-to-date.

Sometimes, problems can be solved through mediation. If the Professional Responsibility Counsel thinks that they may assist by mediating the problem, they will contact you to discuss.

Decision

After their review is complete, Professional Responsibility Counsel may do any of the following:

•   Issue a Formal Caution to the lawyer or limited licensee;
•   Assign a practice advisor to meet with the lawyer or limited licensee;
•   Send the complaint to the Ethics Committee;
•   Send the complaint to the Competency Committee;
•   Send the complaint to the Conduct Investigation Committee; or
•   Decide that no further action is needed and dismiss the complaint.

You will receive more information about these options after you submit your complaint.

If Professional Responsibility Counsel decides that no further action is needed and dismisses the complaint, you will get the chance to ask for a review of that decision. You would receive more information about the Complaints Review process at the time that your complaint is dismissed.