What You Should Know
About Referrals and Fees
Ontario law requires that we be fully transparent about referral fees. This page explains what a referral fee is, when one may apply to your matter, and what rights you have as a client.
Section 1
What Is a Legal Referral?
When one lawyer sends you to another lawyer who is better suited to help you.
A legal referral occurs when a lawyer or law firm receives an inquiry or request from a potential client and then directs (refers) that client to another lawyer or firm that is better positioned to assist them — because of expertise, availability, cost, or geographic fit.
Referrals are a normal and legitimate part of the Ontario legal system. Lawyers are not always able to assist every client who contacts them. They may be conflicted out, lack specific expertise in the area of law, or be unavailable. A referral connects you with someone who can genuinely help.
At Flatly, some service requests may be referred to a trusted Ontario lawyer or law firm that specializes in the relevant practice area. When that happens, we will always tell you — before you proceed — that a referral is being made and who is receiving your matter.
Section 2
What Is a Referral Fee?
Compensation paid between lawyers when one refers a client to another.
A referral fee is a payment made by the receiving lawyer (the one who does your work) to the referring lawyer (the one who sent the matter to them). It is compensation for the referral itself — not for legal services provided to you.
Referral fees between lawyers are expressly permitted under the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) Rules of Professional Conduct, provided strict conditions are met:
- The fee must be fair and reasonable.
- The fee must not increase the total amount you pay for legal services.
- You must be told about the referral fee before it is paid.
- You must consent to the referral fee in writing.
- The referral fee arrangement must be confirmed in a written referral agreement signed by all parties.
Section 3
Your Rights as a Client
Ontario law gives you specific protections when a referral fee is involved.
As a client whose matter involves a referral fee, you have the following rights under the LSO Rules of Professional Conduct:
Right to be informed
You must be told about any referral fee arrangement before it takes effect — not after. This disclosure is mandatory.
Right to consent
You must provide your written consent to the referral fee. No referral fee can be paid without your agreement.
Right to unchanged fees
Your total cost of legal services cannot be higher because a referral fee was paid. The receiving lawyer absorbs the referral fee out of their own compensation.
Right to choose your own lawyer
You always have the right to choose your own lawyer. A referral is a suggestion — not an obligation. You may decline any referral and retain a different lawyer of your choosing.
Right to a written agreement
Any referral fee arrangement must be set out in a written referral agreement signed by the referring lawyer, the receiving lawyer, and you.
Right to competent representation
The receiving lawyer must be competent to handle your matter. A referral does not allow a lawyer to refer you to someone unqualified.
Section 4
Your Right to Choose Your Own Lawyer
You are never locked in. A referral is always your choice.
One of the most important protections the LSO provides to clients is the right to independent choice of counsel. Even if a lawyer refers you to a colleague, you are always free to retain any lawyer you wish — including someone you find on your own.
If Flatly refers your matter to a partner lawyer, we will tell you who that lawyer is, what their fees are, and why we believe they are a good fit for your situation. You are under no obligation to proceed with the referred lawyer.
Section 5
How Flatly Handles Referrals
We tell you upfront. No surprises.
Flatly Legal Services is operated by Ryan Keeney, a licensed Ontario lawyer (LSO #65398E). Some services listed on this website are handled directly by Ryan Keeney. Others may be referred to a trusted Ontario lawyer or firm with relevant expertise.
Here is how the process works when a referral may be involved:
- 1
You submit a service request
You use the online intake form to describe your matter.
- 2
We review and check for conflicts
We review your matter for scope, suitability, and conduct a conflict-of-interest check.
- 3
We identify the right lawyer
If a partner lawyer is better suited to assist, we identify one.
- 4
We disclose the referral to you
Before proceeding, we tell you that a referral is being made, who the receiving lawyer is, and that a referral fee may be paid.
- 5
You consent in writing
You sign the LSO referral agreement form if you agree to proceed.
- 6
The matter proceeds
The receiving lawyer handles your matter. Your total fee is not inflated by the referral arrangement.
Section 6
Fee Transparency at Flatly
Flat fees, no surprises — and no mark-up for referrals.
Flatly is built on the principle that legal fees should be predictable and disclosed upfront. Every service listed on this website shows a flat fee (or clear fee range) before you commit to anything.
When a referral fee is involved, the LSO rules require that it cannot increase your cost. This aligns with how Flatly already operates: the price you see on the service page is the price you pay. If the receiving lawyer pays Flatly a referral fee, that comes out of their fee — not yours.
Example
Section 7
LSO Rules We Follow
Referral fees are legal in Ontario — and strictly regulated.
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) regulates all lawyers and paralegals in Ontario. Referral fees are governed by Rule 3.6-6 of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The core requirements Flatly adheres to:
You can read the full LSO Rules of Professional Conduct on the Law Society of Ontario's website. If you have concerns about how a referral was handled, you may contact the LSO directly.
Section 8
Download the Official LSO Documents
These are the official Law Society of Ontario forms used in referral fee arrangements.
The following documents are published by the Law Society of Ontario. You are entitled to copies of these documents before consenting to any referral fee arrangement. Download them now so you know what to expect.
Referral Agreement Form
The standard LSO-approved form that must be signed before any referral fee is paid.
Download DOCXWhat Clients Need to Know
Plain-language summary of your rights when a referral fee is involved in your legal matter.
Download PDFSection 9
Questions About Your Matter?
We're here to help — and we'll always be straight with you.
If you have received a referral offer from Flatly and have questions about the referral fee, the receiving lawyer, the referral agreement, or anything else, please reach out before signing anything.
You can also contact the Law Society of Ontario directly if you have concerns about a lawyer's conduct or want to understand your rights further.
Official LSO Referral Fee Documents
Download copies for your records before agreeing to any referral arrangement.
Referral Agreement Form
The standard LSO-approved form that must be signed before any referral fee is paid.
Referral Fee Checklist
A step-by-step checklist confirming all LSO requirements are met.
What Clients Need to Know
Plain-language summary of your rights when a referral fee is involved in your legal matter.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general information about Ontario referral fee rules and is not legal advice. If you have specific concerns about a legal referral or fee arrangement, consult an independent lawyer. Submitting a service request on Flatly does not create a lawyer-client relationship.