Introduction

How can I start practising in Canada as a foreign-qualified lawyer?

Is the Certificate of Qualification awarded by NCA enough to practise in Canada?

Do I need an LLM after NCA to practise in Canada?

If these questions or thoughts come to your mind, we are going to tell you how you can clear the Barrister and Solicitor exam and become a fully qualified Canadian lawyer.

Things to know before you fill your application form and pay the application fee:

• How to fulfill the eligibility requirements to take the Ontario Barrister and Solicitor Exam?
• How to manage time between exam preparation and work commitments?
• How to prepare for the Ontario Barrister and Solicitor exam using the course material?
• How to manage time and attempt a competitive MCQ-based test?

What does it take to get called to the Law Society of Ontario?

Once you have your NCA qualification certificate, you have to apply for the licensing process at the Law Society of Ontario. 

The licensing process includes a Barrister and Solicitor Licensing examination, field training, a good character requirement, and a licence. All the stages of the licensing process need to be completed within 3 years from the application's completion date. 

The registration fee for the licensing process of the Law Society of Ontario is 160 CAD. 

Once the application is complete, a candidate needs to sit for the Barrister and Solicitor licensing examination. These are multiple-choice open-book examinations. The fee for the Ontario Barrister and Solicitor Exams is 865 CAD for each exam.

Another criterion that needs to be fulfilled before getting a call from the Law Society of Ontario is to either pursue Articling for 8 months or a law practice program offered by the Toronto Metropolitan University (in English) and the University of Ottawa (in French) (in case you do not get an exemption from the Articling Process). 

According to the Law Society Act, an applicant for a lawyer licence in Ontario must be of "good character”.

Once you fulfil all the above-mentioned requirements, you get called to the Law Society of Ontario and become eligible to practice law in Canada.

About the Barrister and Solicitor Exam:

The two exams i.e. the Barrister and the Solicitor exam test the competencies required for entry-level practice that have the most direct impact on the protection of the public and are required for an effective and ethical practice. 

The Law Society provides the candidates with materials necessary to study for licensing exams at 100 CAD each which the candidates can print and bring to the examination. Only Hard copies of the material are allowed in the examination centre and the material so brought must be left back in the centre.

Things to learn before the Barrister and Solicitor Exam

• How to read foreign laws;
• How to read foreign judgments;
• How to attempt an open book MCQ-based exam and;
• How to manage time during the exam.

Who can take these exams?

• Candidate who has obtained Certificate of Qualification issued by NCA.
• Candidate having a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or a Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree approved by common law program in Canada.

Format of the Examination

The Licensing Examinations are administered in an open-book format. Candidates are permitted to bring print materials (including study materials, notes, and textbooks) prepared for the purpose of assisting them in the writing of a Licensing Examination into the Testing Area.

All items on each Licensing Examination are in a multiple-choice format. Candidates must choose the best answer from four possible options provided. Each item has only one best answer, and candidates will receive credit only when they have selected the best answer. 

The items on each Licensing Examination assess the following three levels of cognitive ability:

Knowledge/Comprehension: the ability to recall facts, policies, procedures, and standards (e.g., citing the appropriate Rule in the Rules of Professional Conduct or Paralegal Rules of Conduct, as applicable);

Application: the ability to apply knowledge/comprehension in a straightforward applied situation (e.g., recognizing the appropriate procedure to employ when faced with a routine situation); and

Critical Thinking: the ability to apply knowledge/comprehension in complex applied situations, requiring analytical problem-solving in addition to knowledge/comprehension and application (e.g., selecting and prioritizing appropriate courses of action when faced with complex situations, or recognizing the relative importance of conflicting pieces of information and arriving at a conclusion requiring sound judgement).

Each Licensing Examination will include items in both independent multiple-choice and case-based multiple-choice format. Independent multiple-choice items are independent of each other. Case-based multiple-choice items are preceded by a case scenario that will also apply to other items; however, each item within the series of items preceded by that case scenario is derived directly from that case scenario and is independent of all the others. In other words, determining the correct answer to item #3 in a series of case-based items is not dependent on answering either of items #1 or #2 correctly.

There are no “all of the above” or “none of the above” multiple-choice options in Licensing Examination items.

For each sitting of each Licensing Examination, multiple different versions of the Licensing Examination may be developed and set. Each candidate who is registered for that sitting is randomly assigned a version of that Licensing Examination. Each version of the Licensing Examination complies with the blueprint parameters.

Each Licensing Examination is 4 hours and 30 minutes in length and comprises 160 multiple-choice items. The Licensing Examination will be broken into sections, by area of law. Candidates should ensure that they answer all items in each section.

What is unique about this course

What SkillArbitrage OBS Team Say

Megha Sharma (Course Anchor- NCA Qualified) - The SkillArbitrage Barrister and Solicitor Course is planned in a way to enable NCA Qualified to become a Licensed lawyer in Ontario. All concept sessions and exam preparation sessions are well-structured and scheduled in advance. 

Amisha (Course Coordinator) - The concept sessions aim at engaging students, as they gain a clear understanding of the foundational aspects of all subjects related to Ontario barrister and solicitor practices, and also have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in handling multiple-choice questions.

Syllabus for exams

All the syllabus has been taken from the official LSO Website. 

​Syllabus for Barrister 

• Professional Responsibility - Questions on the regulation of the legal profession, the Ontario Law Society’s Rules of Professional Conduct, conflicts of interest, and practice management.
• Public Law - Questions on constitutional and administrative law including the division of powers, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and judicial review.
• Criminal Law - Questions relating to the classification of criminal offences, judicial interim release, and the conduct of trials.
• Civil Law - Questions on the jurisdiction of Ontario courts, the Ontario Rules of Civil Procedure, and preparation for motions and trials.
• Family Law - Questions on procedure under the Ontario Family Law Rules, spousal and child support, and the division of family property.

​Syllabus for Solicitor

• Professional Responsibilities - Questions on the regulation of the legal profession, the Ontario Law Society’s Rules of Professional Conduct, conflicts of interest, and practice management.
• Business Law - Questions on business structures, financing, business transactions, corporate law, employment law, and privacy law.
• Estate Planning - Questions on will drafting, powers of attorney, trusts, estate administration, and estate litigation.
• Real Estate Law - Questions on agreements of purchase and sale, real estate transactions, title searches, and real estate loan transactions.
   

Study Material 

At SkillArbitrage, we are committed to providing you with a comprehensive and effective learning experience. Here's what sets us apart:

Concept-Focused Presentations: Dive deep into the intricacies of Ontario Barrister Solicitor examination with our meticulously crafted PowerPoint presentations. We focus on delivering concepts clearly and engagingly, ensuring you grasp the fundamentals effortlessly.

Detailed Concept Notes: Our extensive notes break down complex legal principles into digestible chunks. These notes serve as your go-to resource for in-depth understanding and quick reference.

Concept and Subject-Based MCQs: Reinforce your learning through weekly practice. Our thoughtfully designed Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are tailored to each concept and subject, challenging you to apply your knowledge in a practical context.

Full-Length Question Sets for Exam Preparation: Gear up for success with our comprehensive question sets designed to simulate exam conditions. Practice under time constraints, identify areas for improvement and fine-tune your exam strategy.

We go beyond traditional learning methods, ensuring that you grasp legal concepts and apply them effectively. Join us on this transformative journey and equip yourself with the skills needed to excel in the legal landscape.

Sample Questions

These questions have been taken from the Sample Questions available on the LSO website

Barrister Sample questions 

Independent Questions

At what stage should a lawyer conduct a conflict search?

- When the potential client first contacts the lawyer.

- After the client has retained the lawyer.

- Before sending any correspondence on behalf of the client.

- Following the initial interview

Case-Based Questions 

David comes to Janet, a lawyer, seeking advice regarding his separation from his spouse, Sara, which occurred 6 months ago. David and Sara have agreed that their three children live primarily with David and spend alternate weekends with Sara, but they are unable to agree on a schedule for summer living arrangements. David and Sara have an amicable relationship and have resolved all property issues. Sara is a physician in private practice; David is a teacher. Sara has not been making regular support payments to David. David knows that Sara’s tax return reflects deductions from her professional revenue that are personal expenses (e.g., car, travel, and entertainment expenses).

- What should Janet do early in her retainer?

- Retain an accountant.

- Arrange for the Office of the Children’s Lawyer to represent the children.

- Explore various forms of alternative dispute resolution with David.

- Issue an application.

Solicitor  Sample questions 

Independent Questions

Before the closing of a real estate transaction, in which jurisdiction should the purchaser’s lawyer search executions?

- Where the seller previously resided.

- Where the seller’s real property is located.

- Where the seller’s personal property is located.

- Where the seller is moving. 

Case-Based Questions 

A lawyer attends a meeting with Chantal, her three children Barbara, Dan, and Andrew, and her tax advisor. The lawyer is consulted to address estate planning issues and to receive instructions regarding Chantal’s will. Chantal indicates that she owns property in Ontario and a condominium in Florida.

- Following the initial meeting, with whom can the lawyer discuss the terms of Chantal’s will?

- Chantal’s tax advisor.

- Chantal only.

- Andrew, Barbara, and Dan any time after the will is signed.

- Chantal and all of her three children.

NOTE: SkillArbitrage is not affiliated with the Federation of Law Societies of Canada or any provincial law society in Canada. Anything taught by our instructors or employees does not constitute legal advice or solicitation under the laws of Canada.