| LAWYER |
CONSULTANT |
| A lawyer is obligatorily a member of the Canadian Bar Association & The
Law Society of at least one Province, both professional
bodies governed by strict "Code of Conduct and Ethics". |
Many so-called consultants are not registered and governed
by a professional body |
| A lawyer must buy professional liability insurance for a
minimum of $1,000,000 CAD. If the lawyer disappears, you get
your money back. |
Many unscrupulous consultants do not hold any liability
insurance coverage. There are many horror stories of scams. |
| A lawyer is governed by the Strict Professional Code of Conduct. |
Unscrupulous consultants have no governing Code of Ethics. |
| A lawyer's communications with his client are, by law, privileged,
and the lawyer must maintain the professional secret and the
confidentiality of the information he receives from his client. |
A consultant's communications do not receive legal protection
and the consultant has no confidentiality obligation toward
his client. |
| A lawyer is accountable for all moneys entrusted to him. |
Unscrupulous consultants have no obligation
to account for moneys entrusted to him. |
| Lawyers are professionally trained and have high standards
of practice. |
Anyone can call himself or herself a Consultant. |
| Only Lawyers can appear in the Federal Court on clients’
behalf. |
Consultants are not allowed. They are not qualified. |
| A Directory of members is available to ensure a lawyer is
in good standing with their respective Law Society. |
Many unscrupulous consultants confuse people with memberships
in various unrecognized organizations |
| Complaints concerning the actions of behaviour of a lawyer
practising in the province or abroad may be lodged with the
Law Society. |
There is no governing body and no complaint mechanism
with regards to unregistered consultants' actions or
behaviour. |
