Ontario is the first province in Canada to regulate its paralegals through licensing. In May 2007, the Law Society of Upper Canada (LCO) required paralegals to practise independently and without the supervision of a lawyer. It also clearly defined the scope of practice of independent paralegals, training requirements and standards of practice. Detailed information on licensing paralegals can be found on the Law Society of Upper Canada`s website. Ontario`s Paralegal Licensing Act requires prospective paralegals to complete an accredited training program. There are three types of programs: certificate, diploma and degree. *Information on the licensing process can be found on the Law Society`s website under lso.ca/becoming-licensed/paralegal-licensing-process. Don`t want to start your own law firm? Don`t worry, because this profession offers many more career opportunities. You could work for: Would you like to learn more about the paralegal profession? Check out our most recent blog post.

Without further ado, let`s review everything you need to know and the steps you need to take to become a paralegal in Ontario! Paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario, the same body that sets the rules and standards for lawyers in the province. All paralegals in Ontario who wish to practise without the supervision of a lawyer must be licensed by the Law Society. Aspiring paralegals must take the seven-hour multiple-choice exam for self-study. The purpose of this review is to assess whether a prospective paralegal who has completed the required training has entry-level skills related to the profession – so that they may be able to provide effective and ethical legal services. Before we explain how to become a paralegal in Ontario, let`s describe the role of a paralegal and determine if this is the right career path for you. If you want to know the difference between a paralegal and a lawyer, read our previous blog post. But remember: there are limits to a paralegal`s scope of practice. For example, they are not authorized to provide family law services, so they cannot draft separation agreements. Now that you have an idea of what a paralegal is and the career paths involved, let`s dive in to learn how to become a paralegal in Ontario. Live chat with an admissions counselor now.

Or click below to learn more about the Paralegal program. The Paralegal Licensing Examination is an open-book test consisting of multiple-choice questions. Although the exam is self-paced, there are several resources you can use to pass and prepare and pass the exam. Examinations are offered to paralegal candidates in the summer, fall and winter. Another important thing to note is that, unlike other provinces, Ontario offers a wider range of practices for paralegals. Here, paralegals are allowed without restriction to act as lawyers within certain limits. They may represent clients charged with minor claims, minor provincial offences and labour law matters. “Mentorship in this industry is huge when you start,” says Paula Callaghan, paralegal trainer at Herzing. She was licensed in 2011 and worked under a lawyer for a year before starting her own practice. In 2022, she won the William J. Simpson Distinguished Paralegal Award from the Law Society of Ontario. I am writing to you from Bangladesh.

As a foreign national, am I eligible to obtain a paralegal`s licence in the province of Ontario? Considering that you don`t need a degree to enjoy all of the above benefits, it`s really rewarding to become a paralegal who wants to establish yourself in the legal industry as soon as possible. Now let`s talk about the steps to becoming a paralegal. Want to learn more about paralegal training at Herzing? We`d love to hear from you. This licence is the legal document that allows you to practise paralegal in Ontario and currently costs $165. The most up-to-date fees can be found on this page of the Law Society of Ontario`s website. Most student paralegals choose to license because they can: To protect the public and maintain high ethical professional standards, the Law Society Act requires paralegals to be of good character. “Good character” is assessed by the Law Society of Ontario through a questionnaire and allows applicants to find out about any circumstances that may raise questions about their character. Licensing is not the end of your journey. Building your professional network and finding a mentor are important steps in learning how to become a paralegal in Ontario and start your career.

Check your social media connections, especially LinkedIn, and see if you can find a paralegal willing to chat with you and give you advice. To become a licensed paralegal in the province of Ontario, you must: A licensed paralegal is also authorized to provide legal advice and represent clients in areas of law, such as: You`ve already started reading the article linked above, but you can also check out the Job Bank description, outlook, salaries and requirements for full details for the entire Canadian market. You want to make sure this career matches your interests and goals, and you can easily do that by taking the Anderson College Legal Career Training Quiz. A bachelor`s degree in paralegal studies lasts four years. It goes beyond the requirements of the Law Society by encompassing a wide range of general education courses. It also gives you the option to continue with law school, as you will need a bachelor`s degree to qualify. If you`re still figuring out which legal remedy is best for you, you can check out our popular blog post, The Fundamental Differences Between Law Clerks and Paralegals. If you have decided to study paralaw in Ontario, this guide is for you.

Are you fascinated, or even passionate, by the law and the legal system? If you are attracted to reading this article, you may already be taking paralegal training, researching paralegal courses or a paralegal training program.