Key Takeaways
- Court assessments, insurer evaluations and fee disputes are common sources of complaints.
- Regulators assess professional standards; they do not decide the underlying lawsuit.
- Respond to the professional issues, not to the merits of the other dispute.
- Watch for court orders that limit what you can disclose.
Common Patterns
- Custody and parenting assessments: psychologists and social workers often receive complaints from the parent who disagrees with a report.
- Third-party evaluations: CCO has a standard specifically for third-party independent chiropractic evaluations (S-018).
- Fee disputes: complaints about fees often raise regulated issues such as disclosure of costs and accurate billing.
How Regulators Approach Them
The regulator asks whether the professional met the standard of practice: objectivity, consent, record keeping and staying within scope. CPBAO’s Standards of Professional Conduct address opinions and objectivity directly. The regulator does not re-weigh the court case.
Responding
Keep the response professional and focused. Explain your methodology, the information you relied on, and how you managed consent and confidentiality. Avoid arguing the other dispute. The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers states that its Complaints Committee decisions cannot be used in civil court proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask the regulator to wait for the lawsuit to end?
You can ask, but regulators often proceed regardless. Explain any real prejudice in writing.
Will my response be shared with the other party?
Responses to complaints are usually shared with the complainant, so write with that in mind.
Sources
Statutory references are to the provisions listed below, as consolidated on e-Laws when this page was prepared.
- CCO, “Standards of Practice” (S-018) — Checked November 10, 2026.
- CPBAO, “Standards of Professional Conduct” — Checked November 10, 2026.
- OCSWSSW, “Complaints and Discipline” — Checked November 10, 2026.