Archives of the Law Society of Ontario

Archives of the Law Society of Ontario The Archives is the repository for records of the Law Society of Ontario, and accepts donations of material documenting the legal profession in Ontario.

A new addition to the archives...a photograph of Osgoode Hall looking east towards City Hall (now Old City Hall), Septem...
09/04/2026

A new addition to the archives...a photograph of Osgoode Hall looking east towards City Hall (now Old City Hall), September 1932.

Advertising postcard of Webber Payne & Co. , Toronto, 1897. John Webber Payne (d. 1966) was called to the bar in 1896 an...
08/21/2026

Advertising postcard of Webber Payne & Co. , Toronto, 1897.

John Webber Payne (d. 1966) was called to the bar in 1896 and appointed a King's Counsel in 1935.

The earliest periodical in the archives is an issue of The Canadian Mercantile Test from May 1859. The Canadian Mercanti...
08/14/2026

The earliest periodical in the archives is an issue of The Canadian Mercantile Test from May 1859. The Canadian Mercantile Test, a financial and legal periodical published in Toronto, functioned as a private trade publication and legal record designed to protect the interests of bankers, wholesale merchants, and general traders.

A new addition to the archives...a stereoscopic photograph of Osgoode Hall, taken by renowned photographer William Notma...
08/07/2026

A new addition to the archives...a stereoscopic photograph of Osgoode Hall, taken by renowned photographer William Notman, ca. 1870. The iron fence, erected in 1867, is visible, while Sayer Street (now Chestnut Street) remains an unpaved dirt road.

A new addition to the archives...a stereoscopic photograph of Osgoode Hall, ca. 1890.
07/27/2026

A new addition to the archives...a stereoscopic photograph of Osgoode Hall, ca. 1890.

Today marks the 229th anniversary of the founding of the Law Society of Ontario.On July 17th, 1797, the Law Society of U...
07/17/2026

Today marks the 229th anniversary of the founding of the Law Society of Ontario.

On July 17th, 1797, the Law Society of Upper Canada was founded at Wilson’s Hotel in Newark, Upper Canada (now Niagara-on-the-Lake). Ten lawyers, which was about two-thirds of all the lawyers in Upper Canada at the time, gathered at the hotel to read “An Act for the better regulating the Practice of the Law” and form the Law Society. The six senior lawyers present became the first benchers, and John White was named the first Treasurer (President).

From 1860 to 1890, the Great Library had been lit by four lingren gas lamps which were "equal to the power of 800 candle...
07/10/2026

From 1860 to 1890, the Great Library had been lit by four lingren gas lamps which were "equal to the power of 800 candles". In 1891, electric lights were installed in the Great Library. The Toronto Incandescent Electric Lighting Co. noted the safety, reliability, convenience, luxury, and health benefits of using electric lights as opposed to gas.

Photograph of the Main Reading Room of the Great Library showing gas lighting, ca. 1880.

A new addition to the archives...a stereoscopic photograph of the Main Reading Room of the Great Library at Osgoode Hall...
07/03/2026

A new addition to the archives...a stereoscopic photograph of the Main Reading Room of the Great Library at Osgoode Hall, ca. 1880.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Osgoode Hall once during her reign. On June 26th, 1973, Her Majesty performed the ceremonial ...
06/26/2026

Queen Elizabeth II visited Osgoode Hall once during her reign. On June 26th, 1973, Her Majesty performed the ceremonial reopening of Osgoode Hall after a multi-year renovation project.

Invitation to the dinner honouring Sir John Beverley Robinson on his retirement as Chief Justice of Upper Canada. The di...
06/19/2026

Invitation to the dinner honouring Sir John Beverley Robinson on his retirement as Chief Justice of Upper Canada. The dinner was held at Osgoode Hall on June 19th, 1862. The invitation was issued to Mr. E. Blake.

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Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
M5H2N6

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416-947-3320

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