In this program, students will gain foundational knowledge of the law, concentrating on subject areas within the paralegal’s permissible scope of practice. Students will enjoy instructor led sessions and experiential learning consisting of mock trials, court exposure, and a practicum to enhance professional skills in the field. Instructors possess sound experience working in the legal profession and will be instrumental in your preparation for a challenging and rewarding career in this exciting field!

Throughout this Paralegal program, students will learn how to represent clients in legal matters that are within the scope of the paralegal’s permissible scope of practice in Ontario. Graduates will be become a valuable legal services representative by learning:

Paralegal Professional Ethics

Legal Accounting Practices and Procedures

Opening and managing a Paralegal Practice

Legal Administrative and Communication Skills

Legal research and writing

Prosecution and defence of summary conviction offences and provincial offences

Small claims court procedures

Strong advocacy skills to be used before provincial courts and administrative boards and tribunals such as the Landlord and Tenant Board, Human Rights Tribunal and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

PROGRAM PROVIDES PRACTICAL TRAINING IN:

Tort and Contract law, Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, Employment Law, Small Claims Court, Provincial Offences and Summary Convictions, and Administrative Tribunal Law and Procedures. Training will be intensively concentrated in Professional Ethics, legal accounting, business planning and entrepreneurship to help prepare you to set up and manage your own paralegal professional practice.

Find a complete list of the core courses below:

Business Skills

Grammar Essentials for Business Writing

Office Skills

Basic Bookkeeping Level 1 and Personal Computer Fundamentals for End Users

Word Processing

Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Word

Spreadsheets

Basic level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Legal

Introduction to the Legal System Parts I and II, Client Care for Legal Professionals, Administrative Law, Legal Research and Memorandum Writing, Evidence and the Litigation Process, Tort and Contract Law, Criminal/Summary Conviction Law, Employment Law, Provincial Offences/Motor Vehicle Law, Insurance Law/SABS, Small Claims Court, Legal Writing and Communications, Tribunal Practice and Procedure, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, Legal Computer Applications, Residential Landlord and Tenant Law, Advocacy, Immigration and Refugee Law Overview, Economic Classes, Family Sponsorship, Temporary Status, Refugee Protection, Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Practice Management/Operating a Small Business, Legal Accounting

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

Some of the personal attributes that potential employers look for include:

Excellent skills in accounting software

Aptitude for figures and numbers

Ability to work well in a team

Solid problem-solving and organizational skills

An ability to prioritize projects

Confidentiality

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

CAREER OPTIONS

Licensed paralegals may represent clients in areas such as summary conviction criminal offences, traffic violations, provincial and municipal offences, administrative tribunals, and the Ontario Small Claims Courts. As a paralegal, you may work as an independent provider of legal services, or in law offices or legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, government agencies, community legal clinics, and administrative tribunals.

FIELD PLACEMENT

Licensed paralegals may represent clients in areas such as summary conviction criminal offences, traffic violations, provincial and municipal offences, administrative tribunals, and the Ontario Small Claims Courts. As a paralegal, you may work as an independent provider of legal services, or in law offices or legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, government agencies, community legal clinics, and administrative tribunals.