Paralegal

Paralegals often handle much of the paperwork, although in some Canadian provinces, a paralegal may provide legal advice in certain areas of the law and may even appear in court. Typical duties of paralegals include:

• Drafting legal documents and correspondence
• Conducting legal searches
• Submitting documents for registration with the appropriate agency
• Interviewing witnesses and gathering documentary evidence

How to Become a Paralegal in Ontario

Paralegals in Ontario are licensed and regulated in the same way that lawyers are and are subject to rules of conduct.  To become a licensed paralegal in Ontario you must:

• Graduate from a paralegal program that is accredited by The Law Society of Ontario
• Apply to the licensing process
• Pass the paralegal licensing exam
• Be deemed to be of good character
• Pay all required fees and submit all required forms
• Apply for a Paralegal License

A licensed Paralegal may provide legal advice and draft documents for matters in the following main areas:

• The Ontario Court of Justice Provincial Offences Act (including the Highway Traffic Act, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, Liquor Licence Act, Trespass to Property Act, Environmental Protection Act, and Occupational Health and Safety Act)
• Ontario Court of Justice – Summary Conviction Offences (Summary Conviction Offences deals with the prosecution and defence of criminal charges under the Criminal Code in the Ontario Court of Justice that have a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $5000.(Hybrid offences are deemed indictable until the Crown Attorney makes an election to proceed by summary conviction. Indictable offences do not fall within the permitted scope of activity for paralegals.)
• Workers’ Compensation
• Small Claims Court
• Property Tax Assessment
• Statutory Accident Benefits Schedule matters (SABS) 
• Human Rights
• Landlord and Tenant
• Various Tribunals established by the Province of Ontario

Source: Law Society of Ontario

Paralegals in Alberta

Paralegals in Alberta are not regulated which means that there are no minimum standards of education or paralegal training requirements and paralegals do not have to become licensed. Most employers require that you graduate from a paralegal program where you can get the knowledge and skills you need to perform the duties competently.   Paralegals in Alberta are not allowed to give legal advice and work under the supervision of a lawyer.

Paralegals in British Columbia

A two-year pilot project launched in January 2013 enables Paralegals, (once called legal assistants) to provide some legal advice under the supervision of a lawyer.  Paralegals are not regulated in BC, so no certification is required, but paralegal attending a college paralegal program will provide you with the training you need to be successful.

Paralegals in the United States

In almost all states, paralegals work under the direct supervision of a lawyer.  A paralegal’s scope of practice is defined by state regulations, with some states requiring paralegals to be licensed.  While paralegals may not offer legal advice or represent clients in court, they must uphold the standards of ethics and confidentiality.

Skills and Abilities:

• Be highly organized and detail oriented
• Have the ability to think logically and analyze information
• Be proficient at writing
• Have good problem solving skills
• Have the ability to handle periods of stress and deadlines

Opportunities for paralegals include:

• Law firms
• Court Houses
• Law enforcement
• Government
• Legal Aide Societies
• Banks and Financial Institutions
• Independent Licenses Paralegal (Ontario)