1.  Requirements for All Firms

CAUTION

You are not permitted to handle trust money unless you have a pooled trust account.  The pooled trust account is the trust bank account into which all trust money is paid before it can be used in any way.

Only a firm with an approved trust account supervisor can open a trust bank account [Rule 5-42(1)].

a)  New Firms

Effective April 1, 2019, any new law firm that wishes to open and operate a trust bank account must first have a practising lawyer approved to be the trust account supervisor and that person must complete the education program. Successful completion of the education program requires passing an examination. Only after the approved person has passed the examination can the firm open a trust bank account.

b)  Space Sharers

Under Law Society Rule 5-42(3), independent (sole) practitioners who share space and certain common expenses with other practitioners, must maintain separate trust bank accounts and cannot deposit trust monies into a trust bank account operated by any other of those practitioners or law firms.

If you are practising in such an arrangement, you must be a trust account supervisor as described herein unless arrangements are made with the Law Society to have a designated trust account supervisor.

c)  Designated Trust Account Supervisor

Whether you are practising in a firm, as a sole practitioner or you are in a space sharing arrangement, you have the option to designate a practising lawyer from outside of your firm to be your trust account supervisor. This individual will have to be approved and complete the education as in the ordinary course.

However, because this person is from outside of your firm, all clients of your firm will have to be advised at the outset of the retainer that such an arrangement has been made and that contractual steps will be taken to protect their confidentiality and privilege. In addition, the firm will have to conduct conflicts checks in each matter for the protection of the clients.