Supporting Resources

The Assessment Tool Workbook is an optional resource that is intended to supplement the Assessment Tool. The Workbook is not submitted to the Law Society. The Workbook contains all the information contained in the Assessment Tool in a single document that can be downloaded, saved, and printed. The Workbook also includes areas where firms can make detailed comments about their strengths and areas for improvement in relation to each Principle. In many ways, the Workbook functions as the “working copy” of the firm’s self-assessment. However, the Workbook sets out additional content that will allow a firm to go deeper in any practice management areas they choose and explore further examples and resources related to any of the Assessment Tool Objectives. 

There are two versions of the Workbook to address the unique circumstances of sole practitioners and multi -lawyer law firms. The Workbooks can be accessed through the online Assessment Tool or from the DR Hub (member login is required). 

The Workbook can be accessed through various links in the Assessment Tool or by logging into the DR Hub.  The Workbook can enhance the clarity and utility of Assessment Tool exercise in a variety of ways:    

• The Workbook provides a full sense of the nature and scope of the self-assessment in advance of completing the Assessment Tool and submitting it to the Law Society.   
• The Workbook provides additional information and guidance for the DR in each relevant section. 
• All the resources relating each objective are contained in the Workbook, beyond those resources curated to responses in your Survey Report.  
• The Workbook may be circulated to staff, if any, to provide feedback about the firm’s practice management systems.   
• The Workbook may be used as a learning tool to educate staff or articling students, if any, about firm best practices.   
• The Workbook may be used to document the firm’s strengths as well as highlighting those areas that need further attention. This information will provide the DR with a baseline from which to measure the firm’s progress in improving practice management systems over time.   
• You can build on the Workbook’s guidance and resources to create your own set of practice management materials.  
• You are encouraged to save the Workbook and use it as a record, guide and reference, as part of your ongoing efforts to assess and improve your firm’s practice management systems.  

Don’t forget, these additional resources are available to help:   

• Law Society staff (advice and support across practice management, starting a new firm, exiting practice, managing trust monies, ethics, regulatory compliance, etc.)   
• The Code of Professional Conduct, and Annotated Code 
• Law Society of Saskatchewan Rules  
• Experience of others – contact colleagues or reach out directly to a Practice Advisor through the Practice Advisor Program for additional support and practice management guidance.  
• The Law Society may follow up with you directly for feedback regarding your self-assessment process, or if there are areas where the firm requires additional support for further development, contact us at [email protected].  

The Law Society has licensed an online practice management course from the Law Society of British Columbia, which is being updated and revised for use in Saskatchewan. This course is available free of charge to members and is comprised of 16 modules. As the modules are updated and revised for use in Saskatchewan, they will be posted and available for members in the DR Hub. Each module includes specific learning objectives, a lesson with references and links, as applicable, to the Act,  Rules, Code, decisions of courts and Law Society Committees, and other relevant resources.  For detailed information on each of the Modules currently available visit the resource section of the DR Hub.