Paralegal

Fleming program courses meet all competency requirements and prepare you to write the licensing exam and become a member of the LSO. As a licensed paralegal in Ontario you can commission documents and represent clients dealing with lawsuits falling within the jurisdiction of Small Claims Court. You can act for people facing summary conviction charges under municipal by-laws, provincial statutes or the Criminal Code. Some serve as by-law enforcement personnel, or act in a prosecutorial capacity for municipal governments. Paralegals are also trained to assist clients through the potentially complex proceedings of tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, or the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal. Some paralegals choose to work under the supervision of lawyers or other paralegals, while others offer their services directly to the public.

Fleming’s two year (four semester) Paralegal program has some practical advantages. Not only will you be taught by experts, with a wide range of experience in the field, your first three semesters of study are completely integrated with students in the college’s Law Clerk program. Should you so choose, you can enhance your qualifications and possible job opportunities by returning for an extra semester of study and leave with a second diploma in that related field.

The 160-hour unpaid field placement is an opportunity to get an understanding of the demands and rewards of this career. Field Placement can be completed during the final 15 week semester of the program or can extend beyond your final academic semester.

What You’ll Learn

• Utilize the relevant structure, procedure and authority of the courts and tribunals to advocate for clients and resolve disputes within the legal system.
• Research legislation and prepare citation of statutes, regulations, and other resources in the production of documents for legal representation.
• Employ interviewing, interpersonal communication, presentation, and advocacy skills to assist in resolving disputes within the legal system.
• Work within the Law Society of Ontario permitted scope of practice while articulating the limits and affordances of their role within the legal system.
• Communicate effectively using accurate legal terminology and relevant resources to advocate and resolve disputes within the legal system.
• Manage responsibilities and tasks to meet routine and unexpected timelines within the determined limitation period(s).
• Perform duties, record keeping and other requirements as agents and paralegals in a professional and ethical manner, and in compliance with applicable legislation.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain currency as an agent and paralegal and to strengthen relationships with other members of the judicial system.
• Demonstrate effective interviewing, human relations and presentation skills in advocacy and in the courtroom.
• Perform mediation and arbitration in dispute resolution within the role of a Court and Tribunal Agent.
• Demonstrate business management and accounting skills associated with conducting one’s own paralegal or agent office.
• Develop strategies for ongoing professional development to enhance competence.
• Develop life long learning habits through the pursuit of interdisciplinary areas of study related to social and cultural understanding, civic life, personal understanding, science and technology and the arts in society.