Law Society says it has contacted suspected bar-exam cheaters

The body that regulates lawyers in Ontario has notified suspected bar test cheaters that they are beneath investigation but is featuring no particulars on how a lot of people today have been contacted or how the dishonest may well have taken place.

“Information about investigations about certain men and women by the Law Modern society of Ontario are confidential, till or unless of course they outcome in regulatory proceedings, which would be community,” the Law Modern society of Ontario explained in a statement produced Wednesday evening.

Previous thirty day period, the LSO declared it was suspending bar exams soon after getting data that “strongly indicates” portions of it had been leaked to possible legal professionals. At the time the LSO claimed it was also on the lookout into regardless of whether some already-certified legal professionals experienced cheated.

A team of “external investigators” — the LSO won’t say who they are — is on the lookout into assessments performed on line considering the fact that the pandemic hit in 2020.

The LSO statement said “there are sturdy indications that assessment information has been improperly accessed by dishonest.” The LSO reiterated that it believes third get-togethers ended up concerned.

“This week, the exterior investigation staff hired by the Law Culture issued letters to folks who may well be included in the dishonest scenario. Those people impacted have been encouraged that they will be subject to investigation as a result of the regulatory system as a result of perform related to the licensing exams,” the launch explained.

“The letters also request that all documentation and information and facts related to the investigation be offered to investigators. This is an important phase that permits us to progress the investigative method.”

The LSO’s media relations spokeswoman did not straight away return requests for comment.

After at first suspending the examinations, the LSO announced earlier this month that they will be sent this yr but only in human being, “to be certain assessment integrity and to protect the status of all those people candidates who are in no way implicated in the investigation.”

Extra than 1,000 candidates were set to consider the exams all through two weeks in March prior to the LSO announced they have been cancelled on March 5. The exams have now been rescheduled for April.

The breach also has an effect on candidates who experienced currently published the examination. The LSO noted that some candidates who handed the examination and have been qualified to be called to the bar are now less than evaluation the LSO reported last thirty day period that people candidates’ eligibility was on maintain pending an investigation.

Correction — April 14, 2022: This tale has been edited to right that the March bar exam have been rescheduled to April.

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