Society Rules and Policies

Legal Profession Act of Nunavut 

• The LPA (Current to December 7, 2014) is available for download here.

• September 19, 2017– Bill 47 An Act to Amend the LPA.
• November 8, 2018 - Chartered Professional Accountants Act (s.98)
• November 10, 2020 - Legislation Act (s.108 & 142(1)

Rules of the Law Society of Nunavut

The Rules (Current to March 31,2022) are available for download here.

Note: The amendments relating to CLE came into force effective January 1, 2022.

Code of Conduct 2016

• The Law Society of Nunavut’s adopted its Code of Conduct on November 7, 2016. Download a copy here.
• Guidelines for Practicing Ethically with New Information Technologies - Supplemental

Compulsory Professional Development 

• Current applicable policy and information on recognized activities is available here.

Anti-Money Laundering

Like all people in Canada, legal professionals are subject to the Criminal Code, but they are exempted from the federal legislative regime under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (“PCMLTFA”) due to constitutional principles that protect the rights of clients and the obligations of legal professionals within their confidential relationships. The legal profession has adopted model rules for lawyers and notaries to follow that are designed to reflect the government’s legislative objectives under PCMLTFA, while reflecting the rights of clients and the obligations of legal professionals (excerpt from the FLSC website).

• Model Rule on Cash Transactions & Client Identification and Verification Rules (adopted at the November 26, 2020 special meeting of the Law Society). See relevant sections 80 to 81.6 of the Rules of the Law Society of Nunavut

• Model Trust Accounting Rule (revised Oct. 2018) Download here

         FLSC materials:  

         FAQs on Client ID and Verification Rule (Oct, 2020); Guidance for the Legal Profession (revised Feb. 2019)

Practice of Law 

In order to lawfully practice law in Nunavut, you need to either:

1. Get called to the Nunavut Bar
2. Obtain a Restricted Appearance Certificate (RAC) from the Law Society of Nunavut. 
3. Learn more about how to become a Member

Notices to the Profession on the Practice of Law   

• Acting as an Arbitrator  
• Acting as an Investigator (workplace investigation)
• Civility to LSN Staff ; and Social Media and Professional Responsability;  English; Inuktitut
• File storage, retention, and destruction
• Mediation and the Practice of Law; English; Inuktitut
• Unauthorized Practice; English; Inuktitut

Nunavut’s legislation and Rules of Court

These materials are available online through the Nunavut Court of Justice and the Government of Nunavut websites.  

1. Nunavut Legislation - can be found on the Department of Justice Nunavut website here.
2. Citing Nunavut Legislation (how to) here.
3. Nunavut Land Claims Agreement here.
4. Rules of the Court here.

Rule on Client Identification and Verification of Identity Requirements

“Lawyers by virtue of their trust accounts are targets for those wishing to launder money. Amendments to By-Law 7.1 on client identification and verification were approved by Convocation on April 24, 2008 and come into effect on December 31, 2008.” – Law Society of Upper Canada

• Introduction and Background
• Rules of the Law Society of Nunavut s. 80: Rule on Client Identification
• Steps to assist lawyers in complying with the new Client Identification and Verification Requirements

Inter-Jurisdictional Practice

Click here to obtain information on transferring under the Territorial Mobility Agreement.