Reference Forms
How to submit your References
You are required to submit two completed Reference Forms along with the other documents mentioned in the Before You Start section. The process for doing so is described below:
1. Download the Reference Form
2. Ask two referees to complete a Form
3. Submit the completed and signed reference forms to the OCL in one of two ways:
1. With Your Application:
Should either or both of your referees choose to return their completed Form directly to you, you must upload the returned and signed reference form, along with the other required documents, at the end of the on-line application process.
2. Separate from Your Application:
Should either or both of your referees choose to return their completed Form(s) directly to the OCL, you must do the following:
Follow the instructions above (#1) with respect to the reference form returned to you directly if applicable; and
With respect to the reference form(s) the referee(s) choose to return to the OCL directly, you must upload a blank “place-holder” document to temporarily replace the outstanding reference form, along with the other required documents, at the end of the on-line application process.
Upon receipt of the form received directly from your referee, OCL staff will add it to your electronic application.
If your outstanding reference form is not received within two weeks of the date you submitted your application, you will receive an email requesting the outstanding form; please ensure that the requested document is received by the OCL on or before the date outlined in the email.
Note that you are responsible for ensuring that both of your completed reference forms are submitted as part of your application.
Reference Checks and Discreet Inquiries
Upon receipt of an application the OCL may contact an applicant's referees with respect to the applicant's suitability and qualifications or may conduct discreet inquiries amongst judges and your peers.
OCL goes to great lengths to protect the privacy of each applicant and each person contacted, including advising lawyers, judges, court officials and community contacts approached for discreet inquiries that their names will not be associated with their confidential comments.