Ontario bar exams cancelled over potential test material leak

The Law Society of Ontario has cancelled licensing exams scheduled for the next two weeks over concerns test materials may have been leaked.

The law society said upcoming barrister and solicitor examinations scheduled to be written March 8 to 11 and March 22 to 25 have been cancelled, affecting roughly 1,100 candidates who were set to write the exams online.

According to a press release, the law society received information that “strongly” indicates that examination content was “improperly accessed by some candidates, compromising the integrity of the upcoming examination period.”

The release says evidence indicates third parties may have been involved.

“We appreciate that this decision is upsetting news to those candidates not involved in improper conduct,” said Diana Miles, Chief Executive Officer in the press release. “However, this is a critical and necessary step to protect the integrity of the licensing process and the reputation of those candidates not involved. Most importantly, as the regulator of the legal professions it is incumbent upon us to take immediate action to protect the public interest.”

Exams will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

The law society says a comprehensive investigation is now underway by a team of external investigators.

It will include a review of candidates who have previously written examinations.

The law society says it has contacted candidates who would have been eligible for licensure that they won’t be eligible to be called to the bar while assessments of their exams are ongoing.