Strong and Steady Saskatchewan: Further Protection Provided to Residents Seeking Legal Services

CANADA, November 5 - Released on November 4, 2026

Today, government introduced legislation that will provide enhanced protections to Saskatchewan residents seeking legal services.

The Legal Profession Amendment Act, 2026 will put in place additional safeguards that will enhance regulation of certain non-lawyers who provide legal services, commonly referred to as agents. It also includes additional provisions that strengthen the Law Society of Saskatchewan's oversight of the legal profession.

"These amendments help ensure that individuals who provide legal services to the public are subject to appropriate oversight and accountability," Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C. said. "By clarifying who must be licensed and regulated, we are strengthening protections for Saskatchewan residents who access legal services."

The proposed amendments address a regulatory gap involving agents who regularly appear before courts and tribunals on behalf of clients. While certain legislation permits individual agents to assist parties in specific matters, these provisions are intended to allow occasional representation, not to establish an unregulated class of legal service providers.

The Law Society of Saskatchewan is responsible for governing the legal profession and protecting the public interest through standards for education, licensing, professional conduct and competency. 

"Regulating the practice of law in the public interest requires regulatory authority across all categories of legal service providers," Law Society of Saskatchewan Executive Director Tim Brown, K.C. said. "Prior to these amendments, a gap existed in relation to the regulatory oversight of agents. The Law Society welcomes these amendments, which will provide it with the authority to regulate agent activities and to promote high standards of ethics and competence for the benefit of consumers."

In 2025, amendments to The Legal Profession Act, 1990 created a new category of regulated legal service providers known as limited licensees. These individuals are authorized by the Law Society to provide specific legal services while meeting requirements such as registration, professional liability insurance, and adherence to a code of conduct. 

The proposed amendments do not change the rules governing limited licensees. Instead, the new amendments clarify that agents who routinely appear on behalf of clients and provide legal services must comply with requirements established under The Legal Profession Act, 2026.

The Bill also includes provisions to create new processes within the Law Society to address legal service providers with health issues that impact their ability to practice. Currently, when a legal professional experiences health issues that affect their ability to practice, disciplinary proceedings are the only available mechanism to protect the public. The proposed amendments would create a more appropriate process for addressing health or capacity concerns that is not necessarily tied to professional misconduct.

The Bill also contains several housekeeping amendments to improve the administration of the Act. 

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