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Prospective members

Temporary restrictive permit

A temporary restrictive permit allows lawyers to perform certain acts for a period of one year and may be renewed.

Under section 42.1 of the Professional Code, this type of permit may be issued to

Canadian lawyers

Canadian lawyers who are in the process of applying for equivalence (ALPAQ)

French lawyers

French lawyers who are in the process of applying for equivalence (ARM)

Foreign lawyers

foreign lawyers who have obtained a decision from the Equivalences Committee of the Barreau du Québec

Holders of a temporary restrictive permit become members of the Barreau du Québec and have the same duties and obligations as other members of the Barreau du Québec: they must comply with the Code of Professional Conduct of Lawyers and hold professional liability insurance with coverage limited to $10 million and the activities authorized under the temporary restrictive permit.

This type of permit is valid for one year and may be renewed. Holders of a temporary restrictive permit must show that they have taken the necessary steps to pass the exams required under the Regulation within a reasonable time. Otherwise, the Board of Directors may refuse to renew the permit.

You must remain a member of your own Bar at all times, even after the Barreau du Québec issues you a permit.

Areas of law in which you can practice with this type of permit

Temporary restrictive permits are limited to specific areas of law. For example, applicants seeking admission to the profession may obtain the right to practice criminal law, civil law, commercial law or any other area of law, but not all areas of law at once.

When a temporary restrictive permit is issued, applicants seeking admission to the profession must already have the legal background required to practice in the relevant area of law.

Conditions to obtain a temporary restrictive permit

You must provide the following original documents:

  • the duly completed application for admission to the Barreau du Québec, which will be reviewed by the Committee for Access to the Profession before the application for a temporary restrictive permit is referred to the Board of Directors for a decision;
  • the duly completed application for a temporary restrictive permit;
  • all documents that must be submitted with the application for admission (listed in schedules 1 and 2 to the application for admission), including proof of identity, Canadian police clearance and documents attesting to your knowledge of French;
  • your law degree(s);
  • a certificate issued by a competent officer of the Bar of which you are a member, attesting that you are legally authorized to practice law and that you have not been disbarred or that your right to practice law outside Quebec has not been limited or suspended;
  • the decision of the Equivalences Committee;
  • a CV setting out your professional background and letters of recommendation, if available; and
  • any other document, if required.

Learn more

Applying for equivalence with the Barreau du Québec

Adequate knowledge of French

Commissioner for Admission to Professions

How to obtain a permit

Applications for a temporary restrictive permit are reviewed by the Secretary of the Order, who ensures that the conditions for the issue of a permit are met. If the conditions are met, the application for admission to the Barreau du Québec is referred to the Committee for Access to the Profession, which, pursuant to section 45 of the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec, must examine whether the applicant has the moral character, conduct, skills, knowledge and qualifications required to practice the profession.

Upon receipt of the decision of the Committee for Access to the Profession declaring the applicant eligible to practice the profession, the application for a temporary restrictive permit is submitted to the Board of Directors, which decides whether or not to issue a permit.

It takes at least three months to process an application for a temporary restrictive permit. If the application is incomplete, it may take longer. Moreover, the Committee for Access to the Profession may consider it necessary to meet with the applicant.

Once the Board of Directors decides to issue a temporary restrictive permit, you must follow the steps outlined below to be entered on the Roll of the Order and to be able to practice within the limits of your temporary restrictive permit:

  1. Annual membership dues

    You must pay the full amount of the annual membership dues for the current year to be entered on the Roll of the Order.

  2. Professional liability insurance

    You must take out professional liability insurance for members of the Barreau du Québec. You will be covered for $10 million.

  3. Oath

    Before being entered on the Roll of the Order, you must take an oath or pledge allegiance.

Note

As a holder of a restrictive permit, you must complete the annual registration and renew your permit with the Barreau du Québec every year.

Administrative fees

The permit application fee is $243, payable online by credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

Once you are entered on the Roll of the Order, you must pay the annual membership dues.

Commissioner for Admission to Professions

Dissatisfied with the way in which the Barreau du Québec handles your application ?

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Barreau du Québec handles or has handled your application, you may file a complaint with the Commissioner for Admission to Professions. You may also file a complaint if you are dissatisfied with other stages of the admission process.

Learn more