The Law Society invites feedback from legal professionals and the public on its new draft demographic survey through an online consultation. Participation is voluntary and responses will be accepted until October 8, 2025. Feedback can address any aspect of the draft questionnaire, including clarity of instructions, wording of questions, response options, order of options or explanations provided.
Background
The Law Society is now in Phase 2 of the demographic data project. In this phase, we have analyzed the data collected from Phase 1 focus groups and developed a draft demographic data questionnaire and we invite your feedback on this draft.
In Phase 1, we conducted five focus groups with legal professionals and two with benchers and senior leadership, both online and in person. During the discussion, participants were shown two sample questions for each demographic characteristic and asked which version they preferred and how the wording could be improved. Feedback from these focus groups played a central role in selecting and refining the questions for the draft questionnaire. We sincerely thank all focus group participants for their time and valuable insights.
The following summarizes the main findings from the Phase I focus groups:
- Need for Greater Transparency in Data Collection Purpose, Use, and Reporting: Participants want clearer information on why data is collected, how it’s used and how results are reported. This has been integrated into the survey instructions and consent process, with a detailed Information Sheet available for those who want more information.
- Broad Support for Expanding Demographic Data Collection: There was broad support for expanding data collection beyond gender, sexual orientation, Indigenous identity, racial identity and disability. In line with their feedback, new categories of immigration status, first language, religion, socio-economic background and first-generation lawyer status were added. An open-ended question was also added to give people the opportunity to share any other comments about demographic data collection process.
- Simplification of Confusing Questions: Participants recommended combining two gender questions (identity and alignment with sex assigned at birth) into one, since both relate to gender and were confusing when asked separately.
- Consistent Structure: The original format placed the info box after the question, causing participants to miss key instructions. The structure has been revised to: heading à info box à question à response options, ensuring clarity and reducing confusion.
- Improved Information Boxes: Definitions now speak directly to the characteristic being measured, are drawn from reputable sources, and are consistent across questions. Each box also includes a “What This Data Can Help Answer” section, illustrating data use with practical examples, based on participant suggestions.
- Refined Questions and Response Options: Questions and response options were revised for greater precision and alignment. Care was taken to avoid adding so many categories that participants could be identified, analysis complicated or survey fatigue increased.
- Agreement on Medium of Data Collection (After APD Process): There was consensus among the participants that demographic data collection should continue at the end of the APD process for practising lawyers.
As part of Phase 2, we now welcome feedback from the broader community of legal professionals as well as from the public. When reviewing the materials for the web consultation, please keep in mind that the instructions may read as if the web consultation has already ended; this is because we wanted to show you a draft of what the final product is expected to look like. Also, please note that the survey is currently intended for practising lawyers. That said, all are welcome to participate in the consultation. We welcome feedback on all aspects of the draft questionnaire, including clarity of survey instructions, the characteristics being asked about, explanations provided, whether information boxes should be collapsible, wording of questions, response options, the order of questions or options and any other part of the data collection process.
Taking part in this web consultation is entirely voluntary. Responses will be accepted until October 8, 2025. Once we receive feedback, we will analyze the data, revise the draft and finalize the demographic data questionnaire. The main rollout to the largest group of lawyers we serve will occur in 2026, after which we plan to include non-practising lawyers and articling students. Please send your feedback to Dr. Rashmi Nair, Senior Data and Policy Analyst, at RNair@lsbc.org, with the subject line “Demographic Data Web Consultation Feedback.”
See the draft materials below.
- Read the Information Sheet (Draft for Consultation)
- Check out the Questionnaire (Draft for Consultation)