The matter came to the attention of our Federal Court just last month. The direction and trend in policy and at the law society level, probably across the country, is that a member of the law society will take full responsibility for the conduct of employees of the office, be they consultants, paralegals or employees. Things get sticky when the applicant does not have a clear understanding of who is doing what, and who the lawyer's client is. That's going to be a matter of continuing legal education.
After this recent Federal Court decision, I suspect sanctions will be clearly evident. The alarm bell has been rung from coast to coast to coast regarding your question, sir.