Paralegal

Paralegal Studies Diploma

Paralegal is a licensed profession in Ontario for clients who are looking for access to cost-effective legal services. Our Paralegal Studies Diploma program prepares you for a career in this expanding field. Paralegals in Ontario now have their own scope of practice and, within these permitted areas, provide an affordable option for legal services. Paralegals may act independently in the representation of clients. Paralegals may represent clients in small claims matters; landlord/tenant matters; matters before many provincial agencies, boards, and tribunals, such as the Landlord Tenant Board and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. They may also appear on summary conviction procedures for criminal offences.

Anderson College’s Paralegal Studies program provides you the skills law firms look for. Simply fill out the form to take your first step on this new path

what to expect

The program is 12 months, including a 4-week* practicum with on-the-job training, and offsite with potential employers. Our Paralegal Studies program is accredited by the Law Society of Ontario. The objective of the Paralegal Diploma program is to provide our students with the required substantive law training to successfully enter the Law Society of Ontario’s paralegal licensing process. Students will learn constitutional and administrative law, client interviewing, legal research, evidence, small claims court, provincial offenses, legal writing, dispute resolution and mediation, legal computer applications, tribunals, immigration law and landlord and tenant law. All law courses are taught by lawyers or licensed paralegals.

The following paralegal courses will help you establish a legal services business of your own: ethics and professional responsibility, practice management, operating a small business and legal accounting. In addition, you will learn how to effectively use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Bookkeeping.

The structure of our Paralegal Studies program includes traditional lecture and seminar courses, as well as field trips to local courts and tribunals. There are also a number of mock hearings and presentations throughout the program. Practicum placement will ensure you graduate with exposure to the profession, and the requisite hours to qualify for the licensing process.

To provide legal services in Ontario a person must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario.

And to obtain a license, a person must graduate from a program accredited by the Law Society of Ontario, pass a licensing examination and be of good character.

*37.5 hours per week / 150 hours total

Paralegal career opportunities

Paralegals in Ontario now have their own scope of practice and, within these permitted areas, provide an affordable option for legal services.

Paralegals may act independently in the representation of clients. Paralegals may represent clients in small claims matters; landlord/tenant matters; matters before all federal and provincial agencies, boards and commissions as well as tribunals such as the Landlord Tenant Board and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. They may also appear on summary conviction procedure criminal offences.

Paralegals may also find employment in a wide variety of workplaces, including:

• Government (Federal, Provincial, Municipal)
• Large Corporations
• Self-Employed Paralegal
• Law and Paralegal Firms
• Banks/Financial Institutions
• Insurance Companies
• Courts (Federal and Provincial)
• Legal Clinics
• Other Law-Related Occupations

Paralegal studies program admission requirement

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or the equivalent, or if 18 years of age or over, you may apply as a mature student and write an entrance exam
• Ontario grade 12 English or equivalent
• Language proficiency is an essential skill required for all Paralegals
• Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident or Immigration approval
• Assessment Interview to determine suitability for the Paralegal program
• A criminal record may affect a graduate’s ability to become licensed in Ontario, as such a police background check is required – please discuss with our Admissions Advisor or LSO before enrolling in a paralegal program

From Classroom to life

• Gain real-time knowledge and best practices onsite from our industry-expert instructors and offsite through a practicum with leading legal agencies and organizations
• Grow through lectures and real-life case studies
• Garner practical knowledge in process and procedure during a four-week work placement under the supervision of an LSO Licensee, during which you will use the skills learned in the classroom and experience your profession from a practical perspective

what sets us apart

Beyond our industry-expert instructors, comprehensive learning materials and real-world training – what sets us apart, is a community of support, sharing your interests and goals for creating a life-changing career path, one that will become like a family as you navigate your way to success.

We’re in it with you

Contact us to talk with one of our Admissions Experts. We’ll walk you through the details of what you’ll need and how to apply, the details of the program curriculum and the next steps to get you on your way to your first, or next, successful career.