Law society of Ontario (LSO) - Client Identification

As of January 1, 2024, all licencees, including lawyers and paralegals of the Law Society of Ontario will be required to conduct a virtual verification of their clients.  

All licencees must conduct a Virtual Verification to verify a potential or existing client these reasons are met:

• The licencee engages in or gives instructions in respect of the receipt, payment or the transfer of funds that will pass through your trust account to another party unless it falls within the exemptions.

Pursuant to Bylaw 7.1, LawCheck utilizes "Option 2: Credit File Method".  The results are sent electronically to you as soon as the candidate completes the application.

For more information about these regulatory requirements, please refer to this link: https://lso.ca/lawyers/practice-supports-and-resources/topics/the-lawyer-client-relationship/identification-and-verification

• This verification service can also be used to verify new clients virtually (i.e. on Zoom).  Choose the Knowledge Based Verification coupled with the Manual Identification Check and instantly verify potential clients that you have not met face-to-face.   This process will not only collect two forms of your client's identification (i.e. Driver's Licence), it will also challenge them using the "Option 2: Credit File Method" that they authentic and their identity is valid and verified.