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Temporary Mobility for PEI LawyersIn November 2006, the Law Society of Prince Edward Island became a signatory to the National Mobility Agreement (NMA). The regulatory scheme to implement the NMA became effective in February 2007. Therefore, PEI lawyers may now practise law on a temporary basis in another province for up to 100 days in a calendar year without obtaining permission from the host law society.It is possible to practice more than the allowable time by obtaining a permit from the host law society. Contact the host law society and review its website for information about this process. For the purposes of temporary practice in another province, a day includes any part of a day. This includes the practice of the host jurisdiction’s law from your home office. The onus is on the lawyer to keep a record of the days on which he or she practises law on a temporary basis in another jurisdiction. The host law society may require the visiting lawyer to provide proof of compliance with the rules. The visiting lawyer does not need to check-in with the host law society as long as he or she is not going to practice beyond the allowable number of days and have met all the requirements of that Law Society. The requirements include that the lawyer be a practising member of his or her home Law Society, carry professional liability insurance which extends to their temporary practise and reimbursement claims fund coverage, have no discipline convictions, pending criminal proceedings or conditions or restrictions on their practice. The lawyer must follow the host jurisdiction’s Act, rules or regulations, and its Code of Professional Conduct. These are usually included in the host Law Society’s website. |