Regulated Professions
Lawyers for Physicians in Ontario
CPSO Defence & Regulatory Representation
Physicians in Ontario face regulatory challenges unlike any other profession. From CPSO complaints intersecting with hospital privilege disputes to workplace allegations that could affect your registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), protecting your medical career requires counsel who understand both the clinical realities of medical practice and the complex regulatory framework governing physicians.
At Greenwood Law, our Ontario regulatory defence lawyers represent physicians facing complaints, investigations, and disciplinary proceedings. When your professional standing or ability to practise medicine is at stake, we bring strategic, experienced representation to protect your career and reputation.
The Greenwood Law Team
Greenwood Law provides regulatory defence and employment law counsel to physicians across Ontario. When CPSO complaints escalate, hospital privileges are threatened, or your professional standing is at stake, we bring strategic, experienced representation.
CPSO Complaint Defence & Regulatory Representation
Our regulatory defence lawyers represent physicians throughout the CPSO complaints process, including:
- CPSO Complaint Response – Preparing comprehensive, strategic responses to complaints before the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC), addressing allegations of professional misconduct, incompetence, or incapacity
- ICRC Proceedings – Representation during ICRC investigations and advocating for favourable dispositions, including dismissal, advice, or alternatives to discipline referral
- OPSDT Discipline Hearings – Defence before the Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal for matters referred to discipline, including cross-examination, evidence presentation, and penalty submissions
- HPARB Appeals – Appeals of ICRC decisions to the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board
- Interim Orders & Undertakings – Negotiating terms and conditions, responding to interim suspension applications, and advising on undertaking provisions
Employment & Workplace Defence for Physicians
We also represent physicians facing employment disputes and workplace allegations:
- Hospital Privilege Disputes – Defence in privilege revocation, suspension, or non-renewal proceedings under the Public Hospitals Act, including hearings and HPARB appeals
- Physician Employment Contracts – Reviewing and negotiating employment agreements, compensation structures, termination provisions, and coterminous privilege clauses
- Sexual Harassment & Misconduct Allegations – Defence against workplace complaints under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and hospital policies
- Human Rights Complaints – Responding to HRTO applications involving allegations of discrimination or harassment
- Wrongful Dismissal & Termination – Representation in employment disputes, including terminations involving hospital privileges and regulatory implications
Hear From Our Clients
Protecting Your Medical Career and Professional Reputation
We protect physicians across Ontario, providing strategic regulatory defence to respond to CPSO complaints, navigate discipline proceedings, and defend against allegations that could impact your medical licence, hospital privileges, or professional standing.
Table of Contents
Hear From Our Clients
Protecting Your Medical Career and Professional Reputation
We protect physicians across Ontario, providing strategic regulatory defence to respond to CPSO complaints, navigate discipline proceedings, and defend against allegations that could impact your medical licence, hospital privileges, or professional standing.
Why Physicians Choose Greenwood Law
Deep Understanding of Physician Regulation
We understand how CPSO complaints, ICRC proceedings, and OPSDT discipline hearings work, and tailor our defence strategies to the unique procedural requirements of physician regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.
Experience Defending Serious Allegations
We have extensive experience defending professionals facing serious allegations, including appearances at all court levels across Canada and service as a Legal Member on the Ontario Review Board.
Strategic Coordination Across Proceedings
We understand how CPSO complaints intersect with hospital privilege disputes, employment matters, and civil litigation, helping you manage multiple proceedings strategically.
Confidentiality & Discretion
We understand the reputational sensitivity of regulatory proceedings in medicine and handle all matters with appropriate discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I receive a CPSO complaint?
Do not ignore the complaint or miss response deadlines, failure to cooperate can itself constitute professional misconduct. Gather all relevant medical records and documentation, then contact experienced regulatory defence counsel before preparing your response. Your initial response to the CPSO is critically important, as it forms the foundation of your defence throughout the ICRC process.
How long does the CPSO complaints process take?
Timelines vary significantly. Simple complaints may resolve within six to twelve months at the ICRC level. Complex matters involving expert opinions, multiple allegations, or OPSDT referrals can take two to three years or longer. Interim orders restricting your practice may be imposed during this period.
What is the difference between the ICRC and the OPSDT?
The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) is the screening body that reviews complaints and decides whether to dismiss, issue advice, require remediation, or refer matters to discipline. The Ontario Physicians and Surgeons Discipline Tribunal (OPSDT) is the independent tribunal that conducts formal hearings for matters referred to discipline, with powers including suspension or revocation of your certificate of registration.
Will a CPSO complaint affect my hospital privileges?
Potentially, yes. Hospitals have reporting obligations and may conduct parallel investigations. CPSO undertakings, terms, conditions, or discipline findings may directly impact your ability to practise at a hospital. Employment contracts often contain coterminous clauses that tie privileges to employment status. Coordinating your defence across CPSO, hospital, and employment proceedings is essential.
Can I keep my CPSO complaint confidential?
ICRC outcomes are not automatically public unless they result in a SCERP, oral caution, undertaking, or discipline referral. However, OPSDT hearings are generally open to the public, and all findings and penalties are published on your CPSO public register permanently.
Contact Greenwood Law
If you are a physician facing a CPSO complaint, ICRC investigation, or OPSDT discipline proceeding, early intervention by experienced regulatory defence counsel is essential. Contact Greenwood Law for a confidential consultation.
Areas We Serve
At Greenwood Law, we proudly serve clients across Ontario & throughout Canada, including:
