Request for Legal Contract Review – Submission Checklist
To help the Corporate Team provide efficient and accurate legal advice, please complete and attach this Submission Checklist to your request for corporate legal advice.
Office of University Counsel
Welcome to the Office of University Counsel at the University of Toronto.
We are the University’s legal team. As a central resource for the University’s three campuses, we are responsible for the provision of legal services necessary to support the University’s activities.
About Us
Following the appointment of the inaugural University Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, the Office of University Counsel (“OUC”) was established to align legal services across the University within a single office. OUC’s mandate is to ensure that legal services are accessible, timely, and coordinated to meet the complex legal needs of the University.
Announcements & Updates
Award Recipient : People Services Team (December 2023)
People Services Labour & Employment Team was recognized with an Award of Distinction for Distinguished Contribution HR Team of the Year by Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice-President, People Strategy, Equity & Culture.
Alumni Spotlight : Kristin Taylor
Disputes Partner Wendy Whelan of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP interviews University Counsel Kristin Taylor on the finer points of in-house leadership.
Award Recipient : Andrew Ebejer (November 2022)
Legal counsel Andrew Ebejer was recognized with an Arbor Award for ongoing contributions as a mentor in New College.
Award Recipient : Christine Kellowan (August 2022)
University Planning, Design & Construction’s legal counsel Christine Kellowan was recognized with an Impact Award at a ceremony in August.
Article : Canadian Lawyer Magazine (March 2022)
Kristin Taylor establishes inaugural ‘Office of University Counsel’ at the University of Toronto
Announcement : Office of University Counsel (January 2022)
Chief Legal Officer announces creation of new legal unit within Office of the President.
Resources
How do I contract for services?
A contract for services is a document in which a provider of services agrees to provide a service to a client in exchange for a payment. This type of arrangement is governed by the University of Toronto’s Procurement Policy.
Introduction to MOUs
A memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) is a document that contains a collection of tenets between two or more entities that intend to establish a relationship. Often MOUs act as placeholders until the parties negotiate and prepare a definitive agreement.
Who signs academic divisional contracts?
The Policy on Approval and Execution of Contracts and Documents identifies a certain class of contracts that follow established pathways for approval and execution. This chart illustrates those pathways and includes helpful links and contact information for users undertaking the contract approval and execution process.
Signing & Reviewing Contracts
The Governing Council’s Policy on Approval and Execution of Contracts and Documents and the Provostial Guideline for Academic Divisions on Contracts establishes what class of contracts may require central review, approval, and/or signature.
How do I prepare for obtaining corporate legal services?
It is important to provide all available information—the omission of small details in a contract can have significant legal consequences. The more information you can provide, the better advice we can provide.