Applicants' tools or programs must feature innovative delivery of legal services via technology
The Law Society of Ontario has announced that it is accepting applications for its pilot project that aims to promote the delivery of legal services across the province.
Launched in Nov. 2021, Access to Innovation (A2I) is a five-year pilot project that allows providers of innovative technological legal services (ITLS) to serve consumers while complying with risk-based public protection requirements.
According to the LSO, the A2I project safely removes and adjusts regulatory barriers, carefully evaluates and supervises ITLS providers, reduces regulatory uncertainty, offers routes to approved service provision, and gathers real, detailed evidence about ITLS operations. It also provides consumers with increased choice and confidence that the legal assistance they receive is effective and safe.
The LSO said that the application for the A2I project is open to all legal service providers, such as lawyers or paralegal licensees, non-licensee, law firms, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. Applicants’ tools or programs must feature innovative delivery of legal services via technology to be qualified.
Participants with approved applications will be authorized to provide legal services across Ontario within a definite period. During that period, they must comply with operating conditions designed and supervised by the LSO to protect the public. Those who then meet the requirements will receive a permit from the LSO, allowing them to continue providing legal services on an ongoing basis.
