DUFFERIN COUNTY LAW ASSOCIATION

About the DCLA


The Dufferin County Law Association was incorporated by Letters Patent on June 13, 1927. Objects of the association were to “establish and maintain a Law Library and to provide for the general welfare and interest of the legal profession in Dufferin County, and to do all things incidental or conducive to the attainment of those objects.” The 1st Directors were John Leighton Island, Crown Attorney, Harold Ballantine Church, and Richard David Evans, Barristers-at-Law.

Now, after almost 100 years in operation, the Dufferin County Law Association continues to meet its objectives: promoting the skills of its members by providing a law library and resource centre, organizing professional development opportunities for its members, organizing social events for its members, and representing its members at all levels of government through its affiliations with the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, the Legal Information and Resource Network, and the Law Society of Ontario.

We are fortunate to have one of the most beautiful courthouses in the province as our base. It was originally erected in 1881 with extensive additions added in 1973 and 2006. There are a total of six courtrooms. The magnificent Superior Courtroom has extensive wood carvings said to have been created by a very talented prisoner many years ago.

Members of the Dufferin County Law Association meet each February for the Annual General Meeting when elections are held for positions on the Board of Directors. and at other times as required.

Current Directors (2024-2026) are:

President: Kemi Palmer
Vice President: Adam Stubbs
Treasurer: Richard Allman

Directors:

Lynda Lamb
Martin Wissmath


Image

Access


The library is located in the basement of the Orangeville Courthouse in the 51 Zina section of the building. It is wheelchair accessible. Entrance to the Courthouse is through a single point access at 10 Louisa Street.

The library is staffed Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The contact person and Law Librarian / Manager is Heather Mayberry, BASc, MSc, PhD, MI.

Access to the library for DCLA members is available 24/7 via swipe card. Access by visiting lawyers outside of staffed hours is by chance. No clients are to be brought into the Library. The library is not open to the Public.

Facilites


The library houses a small print collection, 2 research computers with online databases, free wifi, wireless printer, smart TV, and a lounge and seating area. Robing rooms are adjacent.

The print collection may be signed out by members in a book provided for that purpose.

InfoLocate & Resources


The DCLA collection is included in the Law Society of Ontario’s online catalogue InfoLocate and may be searched there. The collections of the other 47 county and district law association libraries are also included.

InfoLocate

Dufferin County Law Association Membership


Join us as a member of the Dufferin County Law Association. Membership is offered to lawyers in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario who have either a place of business or a residence located in the County of Dufferin or who provide services to clients in the Orangeville courthouse. Membership is also offered to articling students in the employment of any lawyer who is a member of the DCLA. We represent about 55 lawyers practicing in all areas of law.

Membership is for a 12-month term, from March 1 to February 28. Fees are levied after being authorized by two-thirds of the attendees at the AGM, held in February. Members who join part way through the year will have their membership fee pro-rated for the balance of the current term.

Membership fees are to be paid within 30 days of notice. A library access card will be issued following payment. This card will be revoked if the member fails to pay their annual dues. Replacement access cards or issuance of a new card following revocation shall be at the member’s cost. Membership is non-transferable.

The membership fees for 2024-25 are $135.00 (for returning members), $107.50 (for out-of-county members), and $67.50 (for new DCLA members). 

Membership in the Dufferin County Law Association provides many benefits that will enhance your practice of law:

  • After-hour access to the DCLA library 
  • Borrowing privileges from the DCLA library collection
  • Reference assistance and library research services
  • No charge interlibrary loan service through the LiRN library system
  • Free WIFI within the library
  • In-Library access to a suite of electronic legal resources on library research computers (including O'Brien's Encyclopedia of Forms), as well as online access to Rangefindr
  • Free use of office equipment such as printer, scanner, copier, shredder
  • Complimentary tea and coffee
  • Member rates for various CPD programs offered through LSO and other providers
  • Inclusion in the DCLA Members’ Directory
  • Email notices with the latest information of interest to DCLA members
  • Membership in the Federation of Ontario Law Associations (FOLA)
  • Advocacy on your behalf by the DCLA Board with FOLA, LSO, and other legal organizations
  • Membership rates at DCLA social events
  • Networking opportunities with members of the legal community in Dufferin County
  • The Gillian Shute Memorial Law Prize is awarded annually to a student in Dufferin County

Join DCLA

Renew Local Membership Online

Purchase Out-Of-County Membership Online

Purchase New DCLA Membership Online

Please contact us if you have questions regarding our membership:

Law Library
51 Zina Street, Orangeville ON, L9W 1E5
Phone: 519-942-1860
Toll-Free: 1-866-862-9931

library@dufferinlawyers.com