Ontario legal regulator to oversee SABS representatives as of May 1, 2008

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) is reminding the public that as of May 1, 2008, it will hand over its responsibility for regulating non-lawyer SABS representatives to the Law Society of Upper Canada, Ontario’s legal regulator.
“With the passage of the Access to Justice Act, 2006, paralegals in Ontario will be regulated by the [Law Society],” FSCO notes on its Web site. “The regulation of paralegals by the Law Society includes the activities of [Statutory Accident Benefit Schedule] SABS representatives.”
The law society will assume responsibility for overseeing that paralegals hold errors and omissions insurance, and it will handle complaints regarding unfair and deceptive acts or practices.
On or after May 1, 2008, only individuals licensed by the Law Society to provide legal services, or who are exempt from licensing requirements under the Law Society’s bylaws, can represent claimants in the dispute resolution process at FSCO.
FSCO will continue complaint and enforcement proceedings against SABS representatives for compliance issues that arose prior to May 1, 2008. All other complaints regarding the conduct or actions of licensed paralegals or unlicensed persons providing legal services will now be directed to the Law Society.