Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Law Society of Upper Canada 1797

Le Barreau Du Haut-Canada 1797

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

1. Law Society of Upper Canada 1797 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Following the introduction of English civil law into this province in 1792, legislation was passed in 1797 authorizing the establishment of the Law Society of Upper Canada. A founding meeting was held in Wilson's Hotel in this community on July 17, 1797. It was attended by ten practitioners, including the Attorney General, the Honourable John White, who was appointed Treasurer, the Society's principal officer. The Society was responsible for setting standards for admission and regulating the province's legal profession. After relocating to York (now Toronto) in the late eighteenth century, the Society moved into its newly-constructed quarters - Osgoode Hall - in 1832. The Society continues to regulate and control Ontario's legal profession.

À la suite de l'introduction du droit civil anglais dans cette province en 1792, une loi a été votée en 1797, autorisant la création du Barreau du Haut-Canada. Le 17 juillet 1797 s'est tenue à l'hôtel Wilson l'assemblée inaugurale. Y participaient dix praticiens, incluant le Procureur général, l'honorable John White, qui a été nommé trésorier, soit l'administrateur principal du Barreau. Le Barreau avait pour responsabilité de fixer les normes d'admission et de réglementer la profession juridique de la province. Après s'être installé à York (devenue entre-temps Toronto) à la fin du dix-huitième siècle, le Barreau a déménage, en 1832, dans son siège nouvellement construit, à Osgoode Hall. Le Barreau continue de réglementer et de surveiller la profession juridique en Ontario.

Erected by Ontario

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Heritage Foundation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 17, 1797.

Location. 43° 15.412′ N, 79° 4.516′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is at the intersection of Queen Street and Gate Street, on the right when traveling east on Queen Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 142 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake ON L0S 1J0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rogers-Harrison House 1817 (within shouting distance

Law Society of Upper Canada 1797 - Reverse in French image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Spudgun67, October 10, 2018

2. Law Society of Upper Canada 1797 - Reverse in French

Licensing - CC BY-SA 4.0 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Barreau_du_Haut-Canada_1797_commemorative_plaque_-_Niagara-on-the-Lake,_ON_L0S_1J0,_Canada.jpg

of this marker); McDougal-Harrison House 1820 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Cottage Hospital circa 1820, 1920-1951 (about 120 meters away); George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) (about 150 meters away); Royal George Theatre 1915 (about 180 meters away); Richardson-Kiely House circa 1832 (about 210 meters away); William Kirby's Home (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake Official Flag (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Law Society of Upper Canada 1797 Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

3. Law Society of Upper Canada 1797 Marker in context

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on September 8, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 2. submitted on September 8, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. 3. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.