Part-Time Practice
The definition of part-time practice refers to the term “professional time”. What kinds of activities are considered professional time?
Professional time is any time, docketed and undocketed, that is devoted to the practice of law. The following list provides examples included in the calculation of professional time:
- time spent in the actual practice of law
- time spent attending to the administration of the law office
- time spent on volunteer legal work (except pro bono professional services provided through Pro Bono Ontario)
- time spent in continuing legal education programs offered during business hours
- time spent as a director on a board if acting as a lawyer
- time spent traveling in your capacity as a lawyer (e.g. travel time to court, but not travel time going to and from work at the beginning and end of a day).
The following are examples of activities that should not be included in a calculation of professional time:
- any continuing education courses taken on weekends or in the evening
- time devoted to business development
- time spent as a director on a board if not acting as a lawyer
- social time spent with clients.
What happens if my billings go over the maximum part-time practice billing criteria?
If, at any point during the year you cease to meet the part-time practice criteria, immediately notify LAWPRO by emailing [email protected] , and you must pay the full-time practice status insurance premium. Your premium will be adjusted retroactive to that year’s policy inception date.
As well, since you are not in part-time practice for the current fiscal year, you will not qualify for the part-time practice premium discount for the next policy year.
In anticipation of retiring from the practice of law in the next couple of years, I have worked a limited number of hours this year and my billings have been low. Am I eligible for the part-time practice option?
If you meet the Part-Time Practice criteria you are eligible for the option