More lawyers, more litigation?

Exploring trends in litigation and the legal profession in Ontario, Canada

Authors

  • Avner Levin Ryerson University
  • Asher Alkoby Ryerson University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1118

Keywords:

Litigation trends, access to justice, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This brief paper explores the correlation and potential relationship between the composition of the legal profession and trends in litigation, in Ontario, Canada. Specifically, we ask whether there is a positive correlation between the numbers of lawyers and paralegals licensed to practice in the province, and the amount of civil litigation initiated across the province. The paper then discusses possible reasons for the trends in the profession and in litigation, and considers traditional objections, such as the argument that an increase in the number of lawyers will lead to 'litigation explosion'. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research in this area.

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Author Biographies

Avner Levin, Ryerson University

Department of Law and Business, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3 Canada. Email address: avner.levin@ryerson.ca

Asher Alkoby, Ryerson University

Department of Law and Business, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2K3 Canada. Email address: aalkoby@ryerson.ca

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Published

01-04-2021

How to Cite

Levin, A. and Alkoby, A. (2021) “More lawyers, more litigation? : Exploring trends in litigation and the legal profession in Ontario, Canada”, Oñati Socio-Legal Series, 11(2), pp. 535–556. doi: 10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1118.