Paralegal

If you’ve considered a career in law, this one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program will give you the knowledge to make a career providing legal services within the paralegal’s scope of practice.

You’ll start by learning how to communicate effectively, as you work your way through different areas of the law, with courses in legal research and writing, torts and contracts, criminal matters and motor vehicle offences. You’ll also learn about advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and other areas of law within the Paralegal Scope of Practice.

The program includes an extensive 140-hour field training component to provide students the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in a legal environment. When you complete your studies, you will be prepared to apply for the provincial exam and seek licensing with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).

As a licensed paralegal, you might choose to be self-employed and offer legal services directly to the public without the supervision of a lawyer, or you might choose to work for a law firm or government agency. Either way, you will be able to put your entrepreneurial mindset and knowledge towards providing access to justice.

What You’ll Learn

• Analyze and synthesize the fundamental elements of Canadian and Provincial governments, legal systems, and court structures, including principles and laws related to permitted areas of practice and rules for procedure and evidence in each court or tribunal.
• Articulate and adhere to the general principles of law, legal ethics and business practices, specifically related to paralegal rules of practice.
• Utilize the applicable structure, process, and jurisdictional authority of courts and administrative tribunals to successfully resolve disputes and appeals within the permitted scope of paralegal practice in the legal system.
• Develop and assess strategies which adhere to established principles of ethics and codes of conduct, and enhancement of professional competence.
• Select, evaluate, and compose effective advocacy techniques, including oral and written legal presentations, using accurate legal terminology.
• Employ effective human relations, interpersonal, and intervention strategies in alternate dispute resolution to assist in resolving conflicts.
• Select appropriate and use diverse legal research tools to research, interpret, analyze, synthesize, and update cases, legislation, and legal literature, and write persuasive, accurate, legal documentation and memoranda using appropriate legal citation.
• Apply legal research findings, the legal problem solving method, and ethical and practice guidelines to analyze case studies and client scenarios.
• Develop an effective case management strategy for court, administrative tribunals, or other representation and execute it efficiently.
• Analyze and evaluate the limitations on representation for paralegals and conduct all work within areas of permitted practice.
• Utilize information technology resources and current industry computer software.
• Manage a paralegal practice and operate a small business, including client service, communication, and accounting principles, in compliance with the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, the ethical and professional responsibilities of Paralegals, and the principles of effective business management.