This Ontario College Diploma program, accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada, prepares graduates to apply to the Law Society of Upper Canada to become licensed paralegals. Paralegals are non-lawyers providing legal services in specified areas of practice to the public for a fee. The type of work that a licensed paralegal can perform is limited by the Law Society and this program is restricted to those areas of law.

Students receive training in case management and trial preparation in areas such as small claims court proceedings, highway traffic cases, provincial rental tribunals, and workplace, health, and safety issues. The curriculum also covers ethics and professional responsibility issues and the requirements of running a business and reporting to clients. In the final semester, students participate in a mandatory field placement.

The Paralegal program has a common first semester curriculum with the Law Clerk program. At the end of the first semester, students in one program may have the opportunity to transfer to the other program. Graduates of the Law Clerk program receive advanced standing toward the Paralegal diploma.

For detailed information on the requirements for becoming a licensed paralegal, see the Law Society of Upper Canada website at lsuc.on.ca

SUCCESS FACTORS:

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are flexible and can prioritize tasks.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Are attentive to detail.
• Enjoy analyzing and solving problems.
• Have a high standard of ethics.