Where Lawyer Is Required
 15.01 (1) A party to a proceeding who is under disability or acts in a representative capacity shall be represented by a lawyer.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 15.01 (1); O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. (2) A party to a proceeding that is a corporation shall be represented by a lawyer, except with leave of the court.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 15.01 (2); O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. (3) Any other party to a proceeding may act in person or be represented by a lawyer.  R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 194, r. 15.01 (3); O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. (4) Subrule (3) permits a party to be represented by a lawyer acting under a limited scope retainer, but a limited scope retainer does not, in itself, make a lawyer the lawyer of record for the party. O. Reg. 231/13, s. 3. Interpretation Party Acting in Person 15.01.1 (1) Where a party to a proceeding is not represented by a lawyer but acts in person, anything these rules require or permit a lawyer to do shall be done by the party. O. Reg. 231/13, s. 4. Exception (1.1) Subrule (1) does not apply with respect to the following provisions: 1. Subrule 16.09 (1.1). 2. Paragraph 1 of rule 60.20. O. Reg. 520/22, s. 1. Party Represented under Limited Scope Retainer (2) A party who is represented by a lawyer acting under a limited scope retainer is considered for the purpose of these rules to be acting in person and without a lawyer, and, to that end, (a) a reference in these rules to a party acting in person includes a reference to a party who is represented in this manner; and (b) anything these rules require or permit a party to do shall be done by the party. O. Reg. 231/13, s. 4. Exception, Lawyer of Record (3) Subrule (2) does not apply if the lawyer acting under the limited scope retainer is the party’s lawyer of record. O. Reg. 231/13, s. 4. Notice of Authority to Commence Proceeding Request for Notice by Lawyer 15.02 (1) A person who is served with an originating process may deliver a request that the lawyer who is named in the originating process as the lawyer for the plaintiff or applicant deliver a notice declaring whether he or she commenced or authorized the commencement of the proceeding or whether his or her client authorized the commencement of the proceeding.  O. Reg. 427/01, s. 9; O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. Power of Court (2) If the lawyer fails to deliver a notice in accordance with the request, the court may, (a) order the lawyer to do so; (b) stay the proceeding; and (c) order the lawyer to pay the costs of the proceeding.  O. Reg. 427/01, s. 9; O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. Proceeding Commenced without Lawyer’s Authority (3) If the lawyer declares that he or she did not commence or authorize the commencement of the proceeding, the court may, on motion without notice, stay or dismiss the proceeding.  O. Reg. 427/01, s. 9; O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. Proceeding Commenced without Client’s Authority (4) If a lawyer has commenced a proceeding without the authority of his or her client, the court may, on motion, stay or dismiss the proceeding and order the lawyer to pay the costs of the proceeding.  O. Reg. 427/01, s. 9; O. Reg. 575/07, s. 1. Effect of Stay (5) If a proceeding is stayed under this rule, no further step may be taken without leave of the court.  O. Reg. 427/01, s. 9. Change in Representation by Party Notice of Change of Lawyer 15.03 (1) A party who has a lawyer of record may change the lawyer of record by serving on the lawyer and every other party and filing, with proof of service, a notice of change of lawyer (Form 15A) giving the name, address and telephone number of the new lawyer.  O. Reg. 575/07, s. 12. Notice of Appointment of Lawyer (2) A party acting in person may appoint a lawyer of record by serving on every other party and filing, with proof of service, a notice of appointment of lawyer (Form 15B) giving the name, address and telephone number of the lawyer of record.  O. Reg. 575/07, s. 12. Notice of Intention to Act in Person (3) Subject to subrule 15.01 (1) or (2), a party who has a lawyer of record may elect to act in person by serving on the lawyer and every other party and filing, with proof of service, a notice of intention to act in person (Form 15C) that sets out the party’s address for service and telephone number.  O. Reg. 575/07, s. 12; O. Reg. 248/21, s. 13. Claim for Lawyer’s Lien (4) A party may move, on notice to the party’s former lawyer of record, for an order determining whether and to what extent the lawyer has a right to a lawyer’s lien.  O. Reg. 575/07, s. 12. (5) In the order, the court may impose such terms as are just in connection with the lien and its discharge.  O. Reg. 377/95, s. 3.