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WHAT IS A PARALEGAL?
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What is a ParaLegal?
What does a Paralegal do?
Small Claims Court Matters
Traffic Tickets, Suspensions, DUI,
No Insurance Provincial and Traffic Offences
Criminal Summary Charges
Family Law Matters
Landlord Tenant
PARALEGALS AND
LEGAL ASSISTANTS IN LAW FIRMS
OUTSIDE OF ONTARIO ARE RESTRICTED
TO WORKING UNDER A LAWYER'S SUPERVISION.
They cannot represent anyone directly. They perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare legal documents and affidavits and do legal research on records, court files and other legal documents in law firms or in other establishments
- Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
- Paralegals and legal assistants prepare legal documents, maintain records and files and conduct research to assist paralegals or other professionals.
- Paralegals and legal assistants in law firms assist lawyers by preparing legal documents, maintaining records and files and conducting research.
- Prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
- Research records, court files and other legal documents
- Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.
- Paralegals and legal assistants in law firms require a bachelor's degree in law or a college diploma in a legal assistant or law clerk program or In-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.
DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS OF
PARALEGALS BY REGION
BC ParaLegals Services:
Paralegals in British Columbia are not regulated.
In British Columbia, paralegals may not work independently and must work under the supervision of a lawyer.
Paralegals may not practice law, and as such may not represent people in court nor assist them with traffic violations or name changes.
However, they may attend certain disputes, such as between a landlord and tenant, as well as attending some categories of tribunals and administrative hearings.
Aspiring paralegals may pursue entry into the profession through on-the-job training or through paralegal education
Alberta ParaLegals Services:
Alberta Paralegals may conduct legal research, submit registration documents to the appropriate agencies, and assist with some legal matters, including trial cases, but they must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. Alberta Paralegals are not permitted to represent anyone in court
Alberta has about 7,700 working paralegals. Paralegals in Alberta are not regulated or licenced.
Saskatchewan ParaLegals Services:
Paralegals in Saskatchewan are not regulated or licenced and may not offer legal advice.
Saskatchewan paralegals must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer and may not engage in activates that could be construed as unauthorized practice of law.
Typical paralegal duties include: conducting interviews with clients and witnesses, preparing legal documents and performing legal research. There are about 650 paralegals in Saskatchewan
Manitoba ParaLegals Services:
Paralegals in Manitoba are not regulated or licenced.
Manitoba Paralegals are not permitted to practice law and must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. Paralegals may perform work that otherwise would be performed by a lawyer, as long as they are directed to do so by a lawyer. This may include interviewing clients, researching legal matters, drafting documents and correspondence, and preparing legal documents.
There are about 1000 paralegals in the province
Quebec ParaLegals Services:
Quebec does not licence or control paralegals
Nova Scotia ParaLegals Services:
Nova Scotia paralegals must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer. They are not required to be certified or licensed.
Under the direction of a lawyer, paralegals' duties may include: evaluating and submitting documents, performing legal research, interviewing witnesses, drafting correspondence and assisting in court.
There may be about 2,000 paralegals working in Nova Scotia.
New Brunswick ParaLegals Services:
Paralegals in New Brunswick are unregulated.
No license or certification is required in order for paralegals to work legally. However, they must work under the direct supervision of a lawyer and must avoid activities that could be seen as unauthorized practice of law.
Paralegal may conduct legal research, prepare legal documents, assist on transactions and communicating with clients.
Some 350 paralegals work in New Brunswick
Newfoundland Labrador ParaLegals Services:
Newfoundland and Labrador does not regulate or licence paralegals.
The law does require that paralegals be supervised by lawyers.
Paralegals are also prohibited from giving legal advice.
About 250 paralegals at work in Newfoundland
Prince Edward Island ParaLegals Services:
Ontario ParaLegals Services:
Ontario is the first and to date the only province in Canada to regulate paralegals through licensing.
Since May, 2007, Paralegals must be licenced, registered and insured through the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) to practice independently, without supervision by a lawyer.
LUSC also clearly defined the scope of practice of independent paralegals, the educational requirements, and standards of practice.
CPP and Disability Pension Matters
Personal Injury
WSIB -CPP Tribunal
Professional Misconduct Tribunals
Commissioner of Oaths and Affidavits
Financial Services Commission
Immigration and Refugee Board
Human Rights Tribunal
Name Changes
ParaLegals function as legal agents able to assist you in many areas where the services of a full blown lawyer and the accompanying high costs are not needed.
The most common areas in which people use ParaLegals are Landlord Tenant matters, Small Claims court actions, Traffic Ticket defence. These are areas where hiring a lawyer is usually a mistake.
Lawyers tend to feel these matters are too trivial for their attention and consequently they do not develop the expertise that a Paralegal has through day to day work with these matters.
ONTARIO PARALEGALS
Ontario Paralegals are the only paralegals in Canada licenced by the law society and able to operate independently of lawyers.
Ontario Paralegals offer legal advice and representation in many fields They generally charge much less than a lawyer and in some fields they are far better than lawyers.
ONTARIO PARALEGALS ARE INDEPENDENT
Paralegals maybe should be called ParaLawyers. They represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings and are usually self-employed.
They advise their clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.
Independent paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:
Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies
Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.
Ontario Paralegals MUST be licenced by the Law Society of Upper Canada and carry liability and malpractice insurance
Law Clerks Across Canada:
A law clerk manages routine, everyday legal and administrative matters and assists the lawyer with more complex legal issues.
The titles "law clerk" and "paralegal" are interchangeable in a law firm anywhere in Canada, except Ontario.
Going to court is a very expensive proposition at the best of times. Paralegals can help you reduce litigation costs and problems while saving you money.
Paralegals have experience in the presentation of evidence in court, advocacy, negotiation, mediation and arbitration skills.
Ontario Paralegals offer legal advice and representation in many fields They charge much less and in their fields they are often better than lawyers
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Nothing on this site is legal advice. It is legal information.