Program Overview

Paralegal Program Overview

Durham College's paralegal training program qualifies graduates to apply to write the Law Society of Ontario's (LSO) licensing examination to become a licensed paralegal. Unique to Ontario, the paralegal profession was established to provide affordable legal representation and access to the justice system in prescribed areas of law before many courts and tribunals in the province.

Intakes and Availability

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Recommended

• High level of English language proficiency (comprehension and communication)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication and Writing 1 (COMM 1114)
• Legal Computer Applications 1 (COMP 1123)
• Indigenous Elective (INDG 0000)
• Torts and Contracts (LAWW 1114)
• Introduction to Canadian Legal System (LAWW 1115)
• Legal Relationships (LAWW 1116)
• Administrative Law (LAWW 1117)

Career Options

A paralegal licensed by the Law Society of Ontario is a professional authorized to independently provide legal services to and represent clients before Ontario's Small Claims Court, Court of Justice, and Tribunals hearing matters related to:

• Criminal law (summary conviction)
• Insurance
• Provincial offences
• Residential tenancies
• Immigration
• Human rights
• Social assistance
• Workplace and safety

Experiential Learning

The paralegal program includes a 240-hour field placement with a licensed paralegal or lawyer, in a government, court or law firm setting.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can apply to other Durham College programs related to the paralegal program. Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a number of Canadian and international institutions.

Tech Requirements

• Processor: i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

Paralegal Program Details

This program is accredited by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), the regulatory body governing professional paralegals in the province, and meets its rigorous competencies for paralegals. It will prepare you for the LSO's paralegal licensing examination, which graduates are eligible to write, and is designed to provide the specialized knowledge and skills required to independently or as part of a firm provide legal services as a licensed legal professional.

Paralegal Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of Durham College's paralegal program, you can expect to be able to:

1. Understand the structure, work and organization of the Ontario court system, and of quasi-judicial administrative boards, tribunals and regulatory bodies.
2. Understand the principles of law and the formal procedures attached to proceedings initiated by the Crown under the Provincial Offences Act.
3. Appreciate the basic principles underlying tort law and the law of contracts, with particular emphasis on areas of permitted practice.
4. Appreciate the basic principles underlying a variety of legal processes, including real property law, wills and estates, power of attorney, business organization, construction lien rights and bankruptcy, immigration, and residential tenancy.
5. Make effective client representations before courts and administrative boards and tribunals in areas of permitted practice.
6. Understand the limitations currently defining areas of practice for client advocates or agents who are not qualified legal practitioners, and the clear lines of demarcation and authority defining areas of unauthorized practice.
7. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills, and appropriate interpersonal skills in support of client relationships.
8. Demonstrate effective administrative and business management skills, including facility in basic accounting techniques and micro-computer applications, office organization and case management, and the ability to develop and implement a realistic business operating plan.
9. Appreciate the importance of business ethics and professional responsibility to clients, particularly in a legal environment.

Paralegal Program Required Courses

Semester 1

• Communication and Writing 1 (COMM 1114)
• Legal Computer Applications 1 (COMP 1123)
• Indigenous Elective (INDG 0000)
• Torts and Contracts (LAWW 1114)
• Introduction to Canadian Legal System (LAWW 1115)
• Legal Relationships (LAWW 1116)
• Administrative Law (LAWW 1117)

Semester 2

• Communication and Writing 2 (COMM 1225)
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility (ETHC 1206)
• Small Claims Court 1 (LAWW 1215)
• Resident Landlord and Tenant Law (LAWW 1216)
• Evidence and Litigation Process (LAWW 1217)
• Legal Research and Writing 1 (LAWW 1218)
• Tribunal Practice and Procedure (LAWW 1219)

Semester 3

• Legal Computer Applications 2 (COMP 2215)
• Field Placement 1 (CTAF 2100)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Employment Law (LAWW 2118)
• Provincial and Motor Vehicle Offences (LAWW 2119)
• Legal Research and Writing 2 (LAWW 2120)
• Advocacy (LAWW 2121)

Semester 4

• Legal Accounting (ACCT 2215)
• Field Placement 2 (CTAF 2200)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Insurance and Accident Benefits (LAWW 2215)
• Small Claims Court 2 (LAWW 2216)
• Criminal Summary Conviction Procedure (LAWW 2217)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (LAWW 2218)
• Practice Management - CTA (MGMT 2221)

Costs for the Paralegal Program

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks.

Paralegal Year 1 Costs

Paralegal Year 2 Costs