The increasing complexity of the law and the public's demand for expertise have led many lawyers, in greater or lesser degree, to limit the range of matters they handle. The Law Society's Specialist Certification program is a voluntary program intended to serve the public need to identify lawyers who are experts in a designated area of law and to facilitate referral by lawyers and other professionals. Lawyers who have practised for a minimum of seven years in Ontario can apply to the Law Society to be certified in one or two of the recognized areas of specialization.
Certificates are valid for five years and can be renewed on further application.
The Law Society's program is voluntary and there are lawyers who are experts in the designated areas of law who have simply chosen not to apply for specialist certification. The answer obviously depends on the nature of the particular problem, but you should have no hesitation in posing this question to your lawyer - regardless of whether he or she is a certified specialist. The Lawyer Referral Service will match you with a specialist if you request this, provided of course that a specialist in that area of law participates in the service. If so, you will be eligible for the free consultation.