Paralegal

Access to justice requires well-trained and licensed paralegals to fill the growing demand for affordable services in the legal profession. Centennial College’s Paralegal program will prepare you to excel in the field through strong theoretical and practical courses.

The Law Society of Ontario accredits Centennial’s one-year (three-semester) undertaking. This graduate certificate program will make you eligible, upon successful completion of all requirements, to write the Law Society’s Paralegal licensing examination — enabling you to practice as a licensed paralegal in Ontario. Licensed paralegals may represent clients in areas such as summary conviction criminal offences, traffic violations, provincial and municipal offences, tribunals and the Ontario Small Claims Courts.

Throughout your studies in the Paralegal program, you’ll gain solid knowledge of Canadian law, concentrating on subject areas within the permitted scope of paralegal practice. In addition to dedicated academic lectures, practice management and mock trials, there will be a two-day-per-week work placement in the third semester, providing hands-on training in established law and paralegal firms. Centennial’s experiential learning will exceed the requirements of the Law Society and assist in preparing you to enter the field, not only with practice experience but also with the chance to network within the industry.

As a Centennial Paralegal graduate, you’ll be well prepared to write your licensing examination and become an integral part of the legal system.

What You’ll Learn

• Utilize the applicable structure, process, and jurisdictional authority of courts and administrative tribunals to successfully resolve disputes and appeals within 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 utilize effective advocacy techniques, including oral and written legal presentations, using accurate legal terminology.
• Employ effective human relations, interpersonal, and intervention strategies to assist in resolving conflicts.
• Research, analyze, and interpret legislation and examine judicial interpretation of legislation, and produce proper citation of provincial and federal statutes, regulations, and other legal resources.
• Develop a coherent case management strategy and execute it effectively.
• Conduct legal research and collect, analyze, and synthesize different research tools for the purpose of legal drafting and representation.
• Work within areas of permitted practice and articulate limitations on representation for agents and paralegals.
• Utilize information technology resources and current industry computer software.