How to Become a Paralegal
Paralegals are sometimes the unsung heroes of law firms who can help clients with a variety of legal needs. They perform certain legal functions and tasks on their own or under the supervision of a lawyer, and can help people obtain access to justice when they might not otherwise be able to afford it.
Under the supervision of a lawyer, paralegals often prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits. They research records, court files and precedents as well as draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.
Paralegal typically work at a law firm or legal clinic assisting lawyers in preparing for deals and cases as well as a range of matters in family law, for intellectual property matters, criminal proceedings and other areas of litigation and corporate proceedings. They may also work for record search companies or in large private sector companies supporting legal and municipal departments. In some cases, paralegals can also work independently and specialize in a specific area of the law, such as in real estate, landlord and tenant or immigration law, and represent clients in small claims court, traffic court, tribunals and even some criminal matters.
In 2018 there were about 31,600 paralegals in Canada and the median age was 42 years’ old. For the period 2019-2028, new job openings (arising from increased demand and replacement demand) are expected to total 14,200, while 13,600 new job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility) are expected to be available to fill those positions.
In this Career Guide, we will outline some of the training and career options for paralegals and detail the factors you need to consider when attempting to match your personal values and professional interests to this in-demand profession in Canada.
Training & Certification
The Law Society of Ontario regulates and licences paralegals in Ontario, but the profession is not regulated in any other province in Canada.
To become a paralegal, you will need to complete a college diploma, graduate certificate, or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies. Paralegals in law firms require a bachelor’s degree in law or a college diploma and in-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
Two-year college diploma programs and a range of other paralegal courses and programs prepare you to write the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) licensing examination and become a licensed paralegal in the province, in accordance with the requirements of the Law Society Act. Your learning will focus on both legal ethics and small-business practice so that you’ll be prepared to work in a law or paralegal firm, in a government setting or as a self-employed professional.
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, … Continue reading
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 students to excel in the field through strong theoretical and practical courses. The Law … Continue reading
Tuition
$3,630
Scholarships available
Tuition
$3,630
Scholarships available
In this program students acquire an understanding of the general principles of law, and gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in ethics and a small business practice. Taking the program prepares students to apply to become a licensed paralegal in … Continue reading
Tuition
$3,663
Scholarships available
Tuition
$3,663
Scholarships available
As a P-1 Licensee with the Law Society of Ontario, a Paralegal provides legal services to clients within the permitted scope of practice. This includes representing clients in provincial offences court, which includes highway traffic offences, municipal by-law matters, liquor … Continue reading
The Paralegal Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you to apply to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) to become a licensed paralegal. This program is offered in three consecutive semesters followed by a mandatory 120-hour field placement which allows … Continue reading
Tuition
$3,662
Scholarships available
Tuition
$3,662
Scholarships available
The Paralegal Post-Diploma Certificate program is a part-time program for those who are already working in the legal field as Legal Assistants. This is the only paralegal program endorsed by the Alberta Association of Professional Paralegals. This one-year certificate includes … Continue reading
In Ontario you must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to work as a paralegal in the province. To become licensed, you must meet academic and field placement requirements, including successfully completing an accredited paralegal education program in Ontario, including a field placement
The licensing process consists of a licensing examination, a good character requirement and an application for a P1 licence. All parts of the licensing process must be completed within three licensing years. The licensing process year runs from June 1 to May 31. The deadline to apply is usually at the start of December of the previous year.
Broadly speaking, to become a licensed paralegal in Ontario, one must:
Pass the exam
The paralegal licensing examination is self-study and open book examination comprised of multiple-choice questions. Examinations are offered in the summer, fall and winter.
Be deemed of good character
To be licenced as a paralegal in Ontario, the Law Society Act requires that an applicant be of “good character.” The good character requirement is intended to protect the public and maintain high ethical standards in the profession by ensuring that persons who are licensed as paralegals show respect for the rule of law and the administration of justice and conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and candour.
Pay required fees and submit required forms
Once you have passed your examination, paid your fees and have no good character issues, you are eligible to apply for your P1 (paralegal) licence. The P1 licence entitles you to provide legal services in Ontario, subject to the rules and regulations set out and enforced by the Law Society.
Paralegals who also choose to become Notaries public require a licence from the Government of Ontario and trademark agents require registration with the federal Trade-Mark Office.
Work Environment
Given the nature of some of the work paralegals perform it can be a high-stress job with many deadlines and interaction with clients during high-pressure situations. Accuracy and attention to detail is required with a confidence to make decisions, often under difficult circumstances. Those who work in law firms may work long hours and for several lawyers at a time, requiring good project management skills and the ability to work on more than one file at a time.
For independent paralegals who choose to be self-employed there can be the added responsibility of running their business on top of doing the work for clients and jugging multiple files at once.
Frequently asked questions
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How much can I earn as a paralegal?
Paralegals earn on average about $58,000 a year and can early up to $80,000 or more depending on the location and type of work.
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How long will it take for me to become a paralegal?
Generally, a two-year diploma program prepares you to write the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) licensing examination and become a licensed paralegal in the province, in accordance with the requirements of the Law Society Act.
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Do I need to be licensed to be a paralegal in Canada?
Ontario is the only province in Canada that currently requires paralegals to be licensed.
