Paralegal Courses of Study Near You | Plus, Legal Training FAQs

What Is a Paralegal? And Why Are Paralegal Jobs So Important?

Here's the short paralegal definition: A professional who assists lawyers and works within the judicial system with significant legal knowledge but is not fully trained as an attorney.

And the more detailed paralegal meaning: Hiring a lawyer can be very expensive. Many people can't afford to pay for the legal services they need. As a result, many lawyers work hard to make their services as cost-effective as possible for their clients. One of the ways they do that is by using knowledgeable paralegals to help with a lot of the research and procedural work they would otherwise have to do themselves. This saves lawyers time, which saves clients money.

And today's definition of a paralegal increasingly includes a wider variety of tasks. Beyond preparing legal documents, organizing files, or conducting research, many also represent clients in lower court proceedings or administrative hearings. They can even handle several basic legal services for the Public without getting any lawyers involved.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Paralegal?

It's possible to get a relevant diploma in a year or less. That's how many successful paralegals have gotten started. Some degree programs take longer (two to four years), so it depends on how quickly you'd like to begin generating an income and accumulating experience. In only 10 to 12 months, you could have enough of an education to launch your career.

Many paralegal programs offered at Canadian trade schools and vocational colleges are within the range of 1-1.5 years long. However, many of these programs also include a practical training component, whether through an internship, externship, or other placement. While this can add to the total time it takes to become a paralegal, starting the job hunt with real-life experience is well worth it. The law field tends to favour applicants with some previous experience.

And keep in mind that most provinces and territories do not regulate this occupation. Only in Ontario are you required to earn a license to practice. So, let's look at how to become a paralegal in Ontario: you need to graduate from a program accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada and pass a licensing exam.

How Paralegal Online Course and Program Options Can Help

Online paralegal course and program options are becoming more prevalent, particularly since the post-COVID world has had to adapt to a more remote way of working, learning, communicating, shopping, socializing, and just living. As a result, many schools offer paralegal programs that are either fully or partially online (hybrid).

Completing some or all of your paralegal courses remotely usually comes with more time flexibility, not only in your daily schedule but also in how long it takes to complete the entire program. As a result, you may be able to graduate sooner than most, or you might be able to take longer than most if needed.

Plus, some of the online paralegal programs Ontario offers can set you up with what you need to pursue the additional licensing to practice independently.

What Does a Paralegal Do?

Unless they are licensed in Ontario, paralegals always work under the general supervision of lawyers. And the work they perform can be fascinating. For example, many paralegals get to:

• Interview clients and witnesses and obtain formal affidavits
• Assist in the investigation and gathering of facts for different cases
• Research various laws while helping lawyers get ready for trial
• Prepare legal correspondence and documents for clients
• Keep case files and electronic records up-to-date
• Writing reports to help lawyers prepare for trials
• Helping lawyers during trials
• Drafting correspondence and legal documents such as contracts and mortgage papers
• Ongoing correspondence with clients

Plus, paralegals can specialize in specific areas of law. And they can also now find employment in more settings than ever before. Beyond law offices, paralegal jobs exist in banks and financial services firms, legal counselling clinics, corporate legal departments, government offices, research companies, and even some marketing and career recruitment agencies.

Find a Paralegal School Please enter a valid postal code.

[Choose an Area of Study] Find schools

What Can Independent Paralegals Do?

A licensed Ontario paralegal can also take on an additional range of duties, such as representing clients in small claims court, offering certain kinds of legal advice, and initiating some types of legal actions—without being supervised by a lawyer.

By practicing independently, a licensed professional in this field can also advise clients and take legal action on matters related to issues such as:

• Traffic tickets
• Immigration
• Name changes
• Landlord and tenant disputes
• Real estate transactions

Independent paralegal vs lawyer: what are the differences?

The Law Society of Ontario outlines the following differences between lawyers and paralegals:

Lawyers

• Education and qualifications:
  • Earning a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree, a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, or an equivalent credential
  • Successful completion of the multi-step Law Society's Lawyer Licensing Process

• Scope of practice - once licensed, lawyers can perform a full range of legal services, including:
  • Family issues, including divorce and child custody
  • Criminal cases in all levels of court
  • Civil litigation in all levels of court
  • Estates, powers of attorney, and wills
  • Real estate transactions
  • Administrative law, which includes appearing before tribunals

Independent Paralegals

• Education and qualifications: (how to become a paralegal in Ontario)
  • Earning a diploma, certificate, or degree in a legal services program with Law Society accreditation
  • Completing the multi-step Law Society's Paralegal Licensing Process (including exams)

• Scope of practice - once licensed, paralegals can provide certain specific legal services, including representing clients in:
  • Small claims court
  • Provincial Offences Court (including traffic tickets)
  • Tribunals
  • Ontario Court of Justice cases involving certain criminal offences like theft under $5000 and assault
  • Performing certain Notary Public services

What Is a Typical Paralegal Salary in Canada?

It's possible to make an excellent living as a paralegal in Canada. So, according to most recent government data, how much does a paralegal make? The median wage is $28.85 per hour, which equals a yearly, full-time salary of about $60,000. But paralegal salary expectations increase along with experience, so many more seasoned professionals earn much more than that. Entry-level or low-end pay is around $18.00/hr, and higher-paid paralegals can make about $46.70/hr or more.

How much do paralegals make in Ontario? Pay can also depend on where you live and work. For example, a licensed paralegal in Ontario can make up to $49.00/hr or more on the high end of earnings, which equals an annual salary of nearly $100,000!

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Paralegal?

Providing paralegal services means having the potential to experience many satisfying rewards. Professionals in this occupation often get to help clients through challenging circumstances, but many of them also feel gratified knowing that they enjoy career benefits like:

A Good, Reliable Income

This field is one of the best professions to enter if you want a chance to earn a comfortable income without a long educational commitment. As mentioned previously, some experienced, licensed paralegals can make close to three figures annually.

Widespread Demand for Their Services

People are increasingly seeking out low-cost legal assistance. As a result, many firms have found that utilizing paralegals is a great way to make their operations more efficient and affordable for a broader range of clients. In addition, several other types of employers make use of these professionals. So, aside from law practices, possible job settings include:

• Corporate legal departments
• Record and title search companies
• Government agencies
• Federal and provincial courts
• Financial institutions

The Chance to Specialize

As a paralegal progresses through their career, opportunities can present themselves to focus on a particularly interesting or enjoyable area of law. Examples include niches like family, corporate, intellectual property, and personal injury law.

Respect and Advancement Potential

Paralegals are valued and appreciated by many of their professional colleagues. That's why many of them can grow into leadership roles. For some, that means working in management or as part of a firm's executive team. For others, it means striking out as the owners of their own legal services businesses.

Work That Keeps You Interested and Engaged

This career can provide a lot of chances to demonstrate abilities related to deep thinking and problem-solving. And since laws change and different trends in the legal field often emerge, a paralegal can spend a significant amount of time learning new things. It makes for a work experience that tends to be mentally stimulating and rewarding.