File a complaint
To file a complaint or report a situation
As part of its primary mission to protect the public, the Bar of Montreal’s mandate includes preventing, controlling and penalizing the illegal practice of the profession of lawyer.
Whoever practises the profession of lawyer without being entered on the Roll of the Order of Advocates or acts in such a manner as to lead to the belief that he/she is authorized to fulfil the office of a lawyer and to act as such is guilty of an offence under the Act respecting the Barreau du Québec and is liable to the penalties provided in section 188 of the Professional Code.
Depending on the place of residence or practice of the person or business concerned, you must file a complaint or report a situation of illegal practice of the profession of lawyer to either of the following addresses :
Island of Montreal
Barreau de Montréal
460, Saint-Gabriel street, 2nd floor
Montreal (Qc) H2Y 2Z9
Phone: 514 866-9392
Fax: 514 866-1488
infractions@barreaudemontreal.qc.ca
Elsewhere in Quebec
Barreau du Québec
445, Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Montreal (Qc) H2Y 3T8
Phone: 514 954-6964
Toll free : 1 800 361-8495, ext. 6964
Fax : 514 954-3463
exercice.illegal@barreau.qc.ca
To complete the Complaint form
Island of Montreal / Bar of Montreal
To file a complaint or report a situation of illegal practice of the profession of lawyer on the Island of Montreal, you may either send a letter describing the alleged acts or complete and forward the Complaint Form to the Bar of Montreal, together with a copy of all supporting documents (see contact details above).
Upon receipt of a complaint, a file is opened, and the Bar of Montreal conducts an investigation before submitting the case to the Illegal Practice of Law Committee. The Committee examines complaints received from the general population and from members of the Bar. It may also act on its own initiative. The committee then submits the appropriate recommendations to the Bar of Montreal Council.
