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Commonly Asked Questions About ParalegalsWhat is an independent paralegal ? What type of services do they offer ?An independent paralegal is someone who has been trained to perform legal administrative type work and / or provide court agent representation. They typically offer services directly to law firms, industry, government, or to the community for a fee. Independent paralegals are not members of the Bar.This differs from dependent paralegals such as law clerks or provincial prosecutors who are directly responsible to lawyers in private law firms, community legal clinics, government offices or the courts. Some of the many services offered by an independent paralegal include:
Note: Is there an association or regulatory body for paralegals ?Currently, independent paralegals, like financial planners, are not regulated. There are a few ad-hoc associations in Ontario most of which seem to be inactive or have a limited mandate. Part of the mandate of the Paralegal Professional Development Program was to initiate a province-wide association consisting of existing practicing paralegals and graduates of the various training programs in Ontario. This activity got underway in the Fall of 1995 with the establishment of the Paralegal Society of Ontario. The mandate of the association is to provide a voice to government on issues of interest to paralegals including minimum education standards and self regulation. For more information about the Paralegal Society of Ontario see the Society's website or call their Hotline telephone number at (416) 410-5219. A report published in 1990 by the Ianni Task Force on Paralegals recommended that all paralegals be registered with the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, and that minimum education standards be established as a pre-requisite for registration. It also recommended that existing paralegals who qualify be "grand-parented" into the system. The PPDP courses have been designed to meet or exceed anticipated education standards under such a regulatory regime. Who developed the program ?The program was developed by one of the principals of Professional Paralegal Limited who is an honors graduate of a law clerk program, and a practicing paralegal with several years experience. It was developed in response to a general lack of access to structured education programs for someone interested in training as a paralegal.The head office for Professional Paralegal Limited is located in Newmarket, Ontario. The company has been offering training and paralegal services to the community since 1991 and is a member in good standing of the following organizations : National Federation of Paralegal Associations (USA), Canadian Career Information Association, Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce. We are also a founding member of the Paralegal Society of Ontario. Have the courses been accredited by the Ministry of Education and Training or other government agency ? No, correspondence courses (distance learning) are not part of the Ministry’s mandate, nor do they fall under the Private Vocational Schools Act. Our courses have been approved by the Ministry of Employment and Immigration and Revenue Canada for the tuition fee tax credit on your personal income tax return.How many courses are there in the program?There are currently eight basic level courses in the program: Introduction to Law and the Canadian Legal System; Starting a Paralegal Business in Ontario; Small Claims Court Procedures; Incorporation; Will Drafting; Traffic Court Procedures; Uncontested Divorce Procedures; Landlord and Tenant Rights and Procedures. Two new professional development courses will be added in 1999. Refer to the handout entitled "Program Course Availability and Highlights".The course materials consist of legal texts, statutes as applicable and a study guide which is based on a compilation of the most current information available and the practical experience of our paralegal specialists. Revisions to the courses are made periodically to reflect relevant changes in the law. Future courses will provide an opportunity for paralegals to obtain on-going professional development in areas of interest such as ethics, advocacy and evidence law. How long does it take to complete a course ?On a part time basis we recommend approximately three months per course and a maximum of four courses per year. This of course would vary depending on the student’s background, prior knowledge in this industry and experience. Completion of all of the introductory courses in the program on a part-time basis would take approximately 2 years (the equivalent of a 2 year program at the community college level).Are there any tests or exams I have to write?Currently, the program is entirely self-taught. There are self-tests at the end of each lesson to test the student’s understanding. Answers are provided in a sealed envelope for each self-test. Students will receive a Certificate of Completion for each course after obtaining an average grade of at least 75% on a mid term quiz and an open-book final examination.If I have questions while I am taking a course, can I get help?Yes, our instructor(s) are available to you by fax, E-mail or by regular mail. If you submit your questions in writing, we will write, E-mail or fax you a response. Can I look at the materials and then decide ?You must submit a completed application form and a cheque for the full amount for each course ordered. We will ship you the sealed course materials and texts. You may look at the texts, however, if you break the seal on the course materials, or the texts are damaged or marked in any way, you will not be entitled to the full refund (minus the $ 50.00 administration fee). In other words, the materials must be in reusable condition. Refer to the Return Policy. Can I take more than one course at a time ?Yes, depending on the amount of time you have available, though it is not generally recommended.When will I receive my course materials ?If you register for a session by the appropriate registration date for that session, you will receive your course materials by the published "Start Date". If you register after the registration date you may expect to receive the course materials within 1 - 2 weeks depending on the availability. Every attempt will be made to have all courses available for each session, however as course materials and texts are continually being revised/updated there may occasionally be a delay or carry over to the next session.Are these courses tax deductible?Yes, the Ministry of Employment and Immigration and Revenue Canada have approved our course fees for the tuition fee tax credit on your personal income tax return. What opportunities are available when I complete my training as a paralegal ?As an independent paralegal there are many business opportunities available such as offering specified legal services in a self employed capacity to the public, industry, government or law firms.
Other opportunities would include employment in paralegal firms, or private (large corporations) and public (municipalities) sector law departments, or as lay prosecutors.
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