Permanent mobility
You can be entered on the Roll of the Order of the Barreau du Québec as a solicitor. There are two types of permits for solicitors.
Holders of a solicitor permit become members of the Barreau du Québec and have the same duties and obligations as other members of the Barreau du Québec: they must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct of Lawyers and hold professional liability insurance with coverage limited to $1 million and the activities authorized under the solicitor permit.
The permit is annual and must be renewed by petition to the Board of Directors no later than April 1 each year.
Canadian lawyer (section 55) | Members of the Bar of another province or a territory of Canada admitted as a solicitor may practice only within the limits of the activities set out in section 128 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec for the exclusive account of their employer or the employer’s subsidiaries. |
Law professor (section 56) | Pursuant to sections 56 and 128 (1) (a) of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, law professors may only give legal advice and consultations on legal matters. |
Canadian lawyers must provide the following documents:
any other document that may be required.
Note You must remain a member of your own Bar even after the Barreau du Québec issues you a permit.
Law professors must provide the following documents:
any other document that may be required.
Applications for a solicitor permit are reviewed by the Secretary of the Order, who ensures that the conditions for the issue of a permit are met. If the conditions are met, the application for admission to the Barreau du Québec is referred to the Committee for Access to the Profession, which, pursuant to section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, must examine whether the applicant has the moral character, conduct, skills, knowledge and qualifications required to practice the profession.
Upon receipt of the decision of the Committee for Access to the Profession declaring the applicant eligible to practice the profession, the application for a solicitor permit is submitted to the Board of Directors, which decides whether or not to issue a permit.
It takes at least three months to process an application for a solicitor permit. If the application is incomplete, it may take longer. Moreover, the Committee for Access to the Profession may consider it necessary to meet with the applicant.
Once the Board of Directors decides to issue a solicitor permit, you must follow the steps outlined below to be entered on the Roll of the Order and to be able to practice within the limits of your solicitor permit:
Annual membership dues
You must pay the full amount of the annual membership dues for the current year to be entered on the Roll of the Order.
Professional liability insurance
You must take out professional liability insurance for members of the Barreau du Québec. You will be covered for $1 million.
Oath
Before being entered on the Roll of the Order, you must take an oath or pledge allegiance.
The permit application fee is $230, payable online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard).
Once you are entered on the Roll of the Order, you must pay the annual membership dues.
If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Barreau du Québec handles or has handled your application, you may file a complaint with the Commissioner for Admission to Professions. You may also file a complaint if you are dissatisfied with other stages of the admission process.
Click here for more information about the Commissioner for Admission to Professions