Firm Regulation

The Law Society of Saskatchewan takes a proactive approach to regulating law firms as the practice of law and demand for legal services changes. Driven in part by new technologies, new business models, and access to justice concerns, the delivery and regulation of legal services are evolving around the world. 

 In Saskatchewan, The Legal Profession Act, 1990 was amended in 2014 to include firms as members of the Law Society. In 2015, a joint project with the law societies of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba considered new regulatory approaches and a pilot project tested a resource that would help firms assess the robustness of their practice management systems and firm culture. In 2018, a committee oversaw the rollout of proactive law firm regulation and on January 1, 2020, firm regulation rules were brought into effect as Part 9 of the Law Society of Saskatchewan Rules. 

 Under the Act, one of the duties of the Law Society is to protect the public by assuring the integrity, knowledge, skill, proficiency and competence of members, including law firms. A proactive approach through firm regulation allows both law firms and the Law Society to achieve three main goals:  

1. Enhancing competency and accountability by helping firms identify and manage risk, while reducing the likelihood of conduct leading to a complaint or negligence claims. 
2. Enhancing communication and transparency through law firm registration and appointment of Designated Representatives. 
3. Streamlining reporting processes and requirements. 

Requirements 

Firm regulation rules in Saskatchewan include three main components:  

1.  Firm Registration and Designated Representative(s): all law firms must register with the Law Society and appoint a primary contact person as a Designated Representative.  
2. Annual Report: all law firms must complete annual reporting with separate reports for firms with and without trust accounts and with consideration for a succession plan.  
3. Practice Management Assessment Tool: all law firms must complete the Assessment Tool for sole practitioners or multi-lawyer firms once every three years to support the implementation of controls, effective client service, ethical practice, financial soundness, and risk management.  

Further information and resources to meet these requirements are located in the Designated Representatives Hub.