A conflict check will often take a few hours to one business day, depending on the firm’s internal process and the complexity of the matter. The purpose is to confirm that the law firm can act without a conflict of interest before substantive legal advice or representation begins.
At ME Law, the timing depends primarily on whether the information needed to conduct the check is complete and whether the matter involves multiple individuals, corporations, related entities, or opposing parties.
Scenario A — A straightforward conflict check
Where a matter involves a small number of clearly identified parties, the conflict check may be completed within a few hours.
For example, a prospective client may provide their own full legal name, the opposing party’s name, and the names of any directly involved companies or individuals. If that information is sufficient to search the firm’s records and no potential conflict appears, the intake process can proceed.
Scenario B — A matter involving multiple parties or companies
A conflict check may take longer where the dispute involves several shareholders, corporations, related businesses, directors, beneficiaries, or other connected parties.
The firm may need additional names or information before the check can be completed reliably. Corporate structures, former business relationships, or parties using different legal and trade names can also require further review.
Where litigation has already started, documents such as a Statement of Claim or Statement of Defence may help identify the parties that need to be included in the conflict search.
Scenario C — A possible conflict is identified
If the initial search identifies a possible conflict, the process may require additional review before ME Law can determine whether it is permitted to act.
Conflict obligations arise from lawyers’ professional responsibilities, including the Law Society of Ontario’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The purpose of the process is not simply administrative convenience; it is to protect existing and prospective clients and preserve the integrity of the lawyer-client relationship.
A potential conflict therefore cannot be ignored merely because a matter is urgent.
What information should I provide to avoid delays?
Provide complete names for:
- yourself and any relevant companies;
- the opposing parties;
- shareholders, partners, directors, or other key participants where relevant; and
- any other individuals or entities closely connected to the dispute.
If you have existing pleadings, contracts, corporate documents, or correspondence that clearly identifies the parties, those materials can assist the intake process.
For more detail on the information required, see Why is it necessary to complete a conflict check form after the initial call?.
What happens after the conflict check is cleared?
Once the conflict check is completed and ME Law confirms that it is able to proceed, the next step may be scheduling the substantive consultation and, if the matter proceeds further, discussing the scope of any Retainer Agreement.
A completed conflict check does not by itself create a retainer or mean that ME Law has agreed to act in the matter. It is an important preliminary step before substantive legal services can proceed.
For the broader intake sequence, see How do I become a client of ME Law?.
ME Law aims to complete conflict checks promptly, but the priority is to conduct the check accurately based on the parties and relationships involved.
Contact ME Law to begin the intake and conflict-check process for an Ontario litigation matter.