PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE LAWYERS
Posner Craig Stein LLP represents physicians across Ontario in CPSO regulatory matters, providing experienced legal guidance from the earliest stages of a complaint or investigation.
The earliest stages of a CPSO investigation often shape the outcome of a complaint. Prompt legal advice can help ensure your response is complete, accurate, and strategically presented.
Our lawyers assist physicians by:
Our objective is to present the strongest possible response while protecting your professional record and reducing the likelihood that the matter proceeds to a formal hearing.
PCS also represents physicians during CPSO audits. Working with you and, where appropriate, expert consultants, we help ensure your practice is well prepared and that your interests are protected throughout the audit process.
Physician discipline matters arise from many different circumstances, including:
Every complaint must be assessed within the context of the physician’s practice and the available evidence.
Many complaints are first reviewed by the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC), which may dismiss the complaint, issue a caution, require a Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP), or refer the matter to the Discipline Committee. If your matter proceeds to the Discipline Committee, our lawyers provide experienced representation through every stage of the hearing, including evidence, witness examinations, and written and oral advocacy.
Allegations involving sexual misconduct, professional boundaries, or serious departures from the standard of care carry some of the most significant consequences physicians can face.
These matters frequently involve complex factual disputes, expert medical evidence, and extensive regulatory procedures. They may also receive considerable public attention and have lasting effects on a physician’s licence and professional reputation.
Posner Craig Stein carefully reviews the evidence, identifies procedural and legal issues, prepares comprehensive written submissions, and develops a defence strategy tailored to the circumstances of each case.
Where allegations also involve police investigations or criminal charges, physicians face both regulatory and criminal exposure.
The defence strategy must be carefully coordinated to protect your legal rights in both proceedings. Statements made during a CPSO investigation may have consequences in a criminal matter, and vice versa.
Where appropriate, PCS coordinates regulatory representation with the firm’s criminal defence lawyers in Toronto to ensure a consistent and effective defence strategy.
Professional discipline proceedings can affect far more than a physician’s licence. They may impact hospital privileges, employment opportunities, referral relationships, insurance coverage, and public reputation.
Our lawyers focus on:
Where necessary, we also represent physicians before the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board (HPARB), the Divisional Court, and the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Our appellate advocacy has been developed through years of appearing before tribunals and courts at every level in Ontario.
SPEAK WITH A LAWYER FOR PHYSICIANS
If you are facing a CPSO complaint, investigation, audit, discipline hearing, or appeal, obtaining legal advice as early as possible can make a significant difference.
Our regulatory defence team represents physicians throughout Ontario and is committed to protecting your licence, your reputation, and your future practice.
Yes. Even first-time offenders can face custodial sentences, depending on the facts of the case and the nature of the allegations.
Pending charges and convictions may appear on certain background checks, particularly for employment or professional licensing.
Timelines vary based on court availability, the complexity of the case, and whether the matter proceeds to trial. Many cases resolve within several months to a year.
Police will lay charges and provide the accused with a court date. The accused must appear in court and is entitled to disclosure of the Crown’s evidence.
Select a lawyer with relevant criminal defence experience, familiarity with Ontario’s courts, and a demonstrated record of handling similar cases.
Yes. The Crown may withdraw charges if there is insufficient evidence, legal errors, or if diversionary measures are appropriate.
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