Certificate in

Graduate Certificate in Paralegal

Fanshawe College

Introduction
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Admissions
Curriculum
Program Outcome
Career Opportunities
English Language Requirements
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Key Information

Campus location

London, Canada

Languages

English

Study format

On-Campus

Duration

1 year

Pace

Full time

Tuition fees

CAD 3,895 **

Application deadline

Request info *

Earliest start date

Sep 2023

* equal consideration deadline. After that, we consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until programs are full

** total fee for Canadian students. $15,930.55 for international students

Introduction

The front lines of the legal profession require practical knowledge and the ability to work with many different types of people and situations. If you’ve considered a career in law, this one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program will give you the knowledge to make a career providing legal services within the paralegal’s scope of practice.

Your Learning Experience

You’ll start by learning how to communicate effectively, as you work your way through different areas of the law, with courses in legal research and writing, torts and contracts, criminal matters, and motor vehicle offenses. You’ll also learn about advocacy, alternative dispute resolution, and other areas of law within the Paralegal Scope of Practice. The program includes an extensive 140-hour field training component to provide students with the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in a legal environment. When you complete your studies, you will be prepared to apply for the provincial exam and seek to license with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO).

Paralegals are required to be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). Fanshawe’s program is accredited by the LSO. To obtain a paralegal license, graduates must graduate from an accredited program, pass a licensing examination and be of good character. As a licensed paralegal, you might choose to be self-employed and offer legal services directly to the public without the supervision of a lawyer, or you might choose to work for a law firm or government agency. Either way, you will be able to put your entrepreneurial mindset and knowledge toward providing access to justice.

Upon licensing, paralegals must remain in good standing with the LSO by paying annual dues, carrying insurance, completing minimum CPD requirements, and submitting annual reports. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the paralegal licensing and license management requirements before applying to this program.

Fanshawe's Paralegal program has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada and provides training in those areas in which a licensed paralegal may legally practice.

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Admissions

Curriculum

Program Outcome

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Analyze and synthesize the fundamental elements of Canadian and Provincial governments, legal systems, and court structures, including principles and laws related to permitted areas of practice and rules for procedure and evidence in each court or tribunal.
Articulate and adhere to the general principles of law, legal ethics, and business practices, specifically related to paralegal rules of practice.
Utilize the applicable structure, process, and jurisdictional authority of courts and administrative tribunals to successfully resolve disputes and appeals within the permitted scope of paralegal practice in the legal system.
Develop and assess strategies that adhere to established principles of ethics and codes of conduct, and enhancement of professional competence.
Select, evaluate, and compose effective advocacy techniques, including oral and written legal presentations, using accurate legal terminology.
Employ effective human relations, interpersonal, and intervention strategies in alternate dispute resolution to assist in resolving conflicts.
Select appropriate and use diverse legal research tools to research, interpret, analyze, synthesize, and update cases, legislation, and legal literature, and write persuasive, accurate, legal documentation and memoranda using appropriate legal citations.
Apply legal research findings, the legal problem-solving method, and ethical and practice guidelines to analyze case studies and client scenarios.
Develop an effective case management strategy for court, administrative tribunals, or other representation and execute it efficiently.
Analyze and evaluate the limitations on representation for paralegals and conduct all work within areas of permitted practice.
Utilize information technology resources and current industry computer software.
Manage a paralegal practice and operate a small business, including client service, communication, and accounting principles, in compliance with the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, the ethical and professional responsibilities of Paralegals, and the principles of effective business management.

Career Opportunities

English Language Requirements

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