FAQs

Find the answers to many common queries below.

General

What is the CBA?
What is a law society?
Where can I learn more about Canada's justice and court systems?
Where can I get essential legal information?

For the Public

Who do I contact if I have a complaint against a lawyer/litigant/judge?
Where do I go with a question or concern about my lawyer's conduct?
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
How do I find a good lawyer?
What's the best way to locate a specific lawyer by name?
How do I determine whether a specific lawyer is in good standing?

For Lawyers/Members

How can I become a recognized lawyer in Canada?
Why can't I log in to the members section of the CBA Web site?
I can't find my membership number.
Who do I contact for a membership renewal receipt?

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What is the CBA?

The Canadian Bar Association is a professional organization that provides educational and networking opportunities for lawyers. We represent more than 36,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers and law students from across Canada. Our commitment is to enhance the professional and commercial interests of our diverse membership and protect the independence of the judiciary and the Bar.
What is a law society?

In Canada, law societies in each province and territory govern the legal profession in that jurisdiction. In Quebec there are two professional bodies, the Barreau du Québec and the Chambre des notaires. In each province/territory, a lawyer must be a member of a Canadian Law Society in order to offer his or her services as a lawyer to the public. The Law Societies make sure their members meet professional standards. The Federation of Law Societies of Canada is an umbrella organization for the provincial/territorial law societies.
Where can I learn more about Canada's justice and court systems?

The Department of Justice website provides detailed information on Canada's justice and court systems. The Department also produces an online booklet, called Canada’s System of Justice, which gives a good overview of the Canadian legal system.
Where can I get essential legal information?

Every province of Canada has Public Legal Information organizations that educate and inform the public about the law and the legal system. The BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association operates Dial-A-Law, a free service available by phone and online, which provides a library of practical information about BC law in the form of scripts prepared by lawyers.
Who do I contact if I have a complaint against a lawyer/litigant/judge?

The law societies in each province/territory are responsible for making sure that lawyers practice law competently and ethically. They can discipline lawyers who do not meet these standards. If a resolution between you and your lawyer cannot be reached, contact the law society in your province/territory with the details of your concern.
Where do I go with a question or concern about my lawyer's conduct?

The Canadian Bar Association does not discipline lawyers or mediate lawyer-client disputes. The Law Societies in each province/territory are responsible for making sure that lawyers practise law competently and ethically. They can discipline lawyers who do not meet these standards. You might be able to resolve your concern if you get in touch with your lawyer right away. It might be a simple misunderstanding that can be cleared up with a conversation. If a resolution between you and your lawyer cannot be reached, contact the law society in your province/territory with the details of your concern.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer

Two different options may be available to you. Legal aid services are government-funded or subsidized legal services available for people with difficulties affording legal services, and who qualify for the services. To find out more about qualifying for legal aid, contact the provincial legal aid plan.

Pro bono services are legal services provided by lawyers, free of charge, out of their commitment to the public interest and access to justice. For more information on pro bono, or to find a lawyer who provides pro bono services, please contact the law society in your province or territory.
How do I find a good lawyer?

You can consult our Find a Lawyer search tool to find a CBA member lawyer who specializes in for the area you require. Most Law Societies also provide a lawyer referral service in each province and territory. The British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association offers a Lawyer Referral Service in that province.
What's the best way to locate a specific lawyer by name?

The Canadian Bar Association does not maintain a comprehensive list of all lawyers in Canada. However, most lawyers practicing in Canada and Quebec notaries are listed on the Canadian Law List website. The Canadian Law List provides access to a comprehensive listing of Canadian lawyers and judges and the areas of law the law firms represent.
How do I determine whether a specific lawyer is in good standing?

The Canadian Bar Association cannot make a determination of a lawyer's good standing. The law societies in each province/territory are responsible for ensuring that lawyers practice law competently and ethically. Contact the law society in your province or territory for more information.
When attending a law school outside Canada or practicing law in another country, how can I become a recognized lawyer in Canada?

Training and qualification requirements for lawyers from outside Canada can be obtained from the National Committee on Accreditation of the Federation of Law Societies of Canada .
Why can't I log in to the members section of the CBA website?

First ensure you've entered your last name and membership number correctly. Be sure to enter your last name only with all accents. Login problems are usually due to unpaid or overdue membership fees so check your records to ensure your dues are up-to-date. Then, contact the CBA Membership Department at 1-800-267-8860 or memberservice@cba.org so we can confirm your status. Assuming your membership is up-to-date, we will put you in touch with one of our technical staff to help you troubleshoot your access problems.
I can't find my membership number. Who do I contact?

To retrieve your membership number, contact CBA Member Services at 1-800-267-8860 or email memberservice@cba.org.
Who do I contact for a membership renewal receipt?

Please contact CBA Member Services at 1-800-267-8860 or email memberservice@cba.org.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

General

For the Public

For Lawyers/Members