Taking Action against Illegal Practitioners

How does the Law Society try to stop illegal practitioners from placing the public at risk?

Only lawyers and paralegals licensed by the Law Society can provide legal services directly to the public. 

Illegal practitioners are people who practise law or provide legal services directly to the public without a licence. If you hire an illegal practitioner, you are not protected. 

The Law Society Act gives the Law Society authority to prosecute illegal practitioners. When we are made aware of an individual who may be practising illegally we may do one or more of the following:    

• Send a cease and desist letter demanding that the person stop providing legal services they are not licensed to provide. This is often successful.
• Conduct an investigation, especially if the person accused of illegal practice is persistent or is placing the public directly at risk.
• Ask the person to sign an undertaking (agreement) to cease the unauthorized activity. This is a document that may be used later in court if the behaviour persists.
• Initiate court proceedings. The Law Society has the power to seek injunctions in Superior Court. If the injunction is breached, this may result in an application to have the person found in contempt.  Contempt can be punishable by fines or imprisonment or both. The Law Society can also prosecute illegal practice in provincial court or provincial offences court. The Law Society Act provides for significant fines as well as probation orders if someone is convicted of unauthorized practice. 

2018

Law Society of Ontario v. Caleesis Talash, (a.k.a. Martina Talash, Caleesis Telesh, Calesis Telesh) and Justice on Your Side Inc.
Transcription of LSO v Talash Order

Law Society of Ontario v Charles Wallace a.k.a. Evan Wallace
Transcription of LSO v Wallace Order

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Timothy Edward Leahy
Transcription of LSUC v Leahy Order

2016

Law Society of Upper Canada v. James William Sinclair
Transcription of LSUC v Sinclair Order

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Thinh Bui 
Transcription of LSUC v Bui Order

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Niki Marques 
Transcription of LSUC v Marques Order 

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Abdul Gabbar Khan a.k.a. Abdul Khan, and Westminster Legal Firm Inc.
Transcription of LSUC v Khan Order 

2015

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Aspasios Paul Hatzitrifonos a.k.a. Paul Hatz 
Transcription of LSUC v Hatzitrifonos Order 

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Ken Miller 
Transcription of LSUC v Miller Order 

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Raymond Young 
Transcription of LSUC v Young Order 

Law Society of Upper Canada v. Marie Yvonne Dubé
Transcription of LSUC v Dubé Order  We need your help to prevent illegal practice.
If you are aware of any of these individuals continuing to engage in illegal practice, please contact the Law Society.