Archive for the ‘lawyer’ tag
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im going to attend community college in toronto for get a diploma in paralegal .?
i just want to ask i heard if u are a paralegal you can work independent and can run your own office . Is it true ?? and if yes then is it good to run your own business or work with a law firm . any answer from any paralegal from Ontario. thanks
The definition provided by the first poster is from the American bar association (ABA) so it may not necessarily apply to Canadian Paralegals.
Here is information about Paralegals in Ontario, Canada:
http://www.paralegalsociety.on.ca/
See also:
http://www.lsuc.on.ca/paralegals/
Paralegal examinations:
http://rc.lsuc.on.ca/jsp/licensingprocessparalegal/index.jsp
and
http://www.lsuc.on.ca/paralegals/a/licensing-process-for-paralegals/licensing-process-for-paralegals/
Based upon a brief review of the LSUC (Law Society of Upper Canada), it does appear that a paralegal in Canada can practice by themselves (WOW!).
FAQs from LSUC:
http://www.lsuc.on.ca/paralegals/a/paralegal-questions-answers/
Q: What is the permitted scope of practice for paralegals?
A: The new regulatory scheme set out in the Law Society’s By-Law 4 permits paralegals to practise in what are already permitted areas of practice. Subsection 6 (2) authorizes licensed paralegals to represent someone:
* in Small Claims Court
* in the Ontario Court of Justice under the Provincial Offences Act
* on summary conviction offences where the maximum penalty does not exceed six months’ imprisonment
* before administrative tribunals, including the Financial Services Commission of Ontario.
A person with a paralegal licence can do the following in the course of representing a client in any of the above-mentioned proceedings:
* give legal advice concerning legal interests, rights or responsibilities with respect to a proceeding or the subject matter of a proceeding
* draft or assist with drafting documents for use in a proceeding
* negotiate on behalf of a person who is a party to a proceeding.
As of May 1, 2007, paralegals are not permitted to appear in family Court.
Other than under the supervision of a lawyer, paralegals may not provide legal services that only a lawyer may provide, such as drafting wills or handling real estate transactions or estates.
So the answer is YES! Up to a certain extent….and it’s amazing that paralegals can do this in Canada but not the U.S.
I think it would be better to start out with a law firm because you could gain experience through the firm, rather than starting out on your own and gaining experience through “trial and error.”
Once you have obtained sufficient experience, you can venture out on your own (if you so choose).