Can a non-lawyer represent a corporation in a personal injury action?

The plaintiff is a corporation. Unless a court orders otherwise, a corporation’s legal representative must be a lawyer: Rule 15.01(2), Rules of Civil Procedure O.Reg. 575/07, s.6. (Rules) A non-lawyer seeking to represent a corporation must seek leave of the court. In determining whether leave will be granted the court must consider three factors: 1) Whether the person has the authority to make decisions to bind the corporation; 2) Whether the person is competent to fulfill the duties of a litigant under the Rules; and 3) Whether the nature of the action and issues raised are such that it would be unfair to the defendant to have the plaintiff represented by a non-lawyer: Ward v. 1221720 Ontario Ltd., 2015 ONSC (S.C.J.), paras. 3-4.