This program is delivered at our downtown campus, the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. If you’re staying in residence, which is located at our main campus, it is a quick 20 minute bus ride to our downtown campuses. The bus stops directly behind the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts. The MediaPlex is one block south of the Centre for the Arts.
Program Overview
A Paralegal provides legal services to clients within the permitted scope of practice. This includes representing clients in provincial offences court, which includes highway traffic offences, municipal by-law matters, liquor license cases, occupational health and safety issues, as well as civil litigation matters in small claims court. Paralegals may also appear in the Ontario Court of Justice representing clients charged with less serious criminal offences. Paralegals may represent clients in a broad range of tribunals such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal, Human Rights Commission, and Landlord and Tenant Board, to name a few.
Program Highlights
- The program is set-up in part as an office simulation and includes mock hearings and trials.
- In addition to a 140-hour work placement, students have the opportunity to work in the St Clair College Forms Completion Clinic to gain valuable real-life experience working with clients while offering an invaluable service to the community.
- The Paralegal Program has been accredited in accordance with the standards established by the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Paralegal Education Program Accreditation Policy (PEPA).
Career Opportunities
Career opportunities include self-employment, law firms, legal departments of corporations, administrative tribunals and government agencies.
Admission Requirements
OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level qualify for admission to this program.
Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.
Applicants with a College Diploma or substantial completion of a University Degree may apply to Paralegal - Accelerated.
Field/Clinical Placements
Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense. If you are unable to obtain this police clearance, you jeopardize the opportunity to complete your field placements. Checks are also required for clinics.
In the event of a shortage of placements or internship sites, you may be required to perform your placement or internship duties on off hours, which may include evenings and weekends.
Courses
The curriculum below is for incoming students:
Semester 1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
PLG105
|
Legal Communication And Paralegal Practice Management I |
3
|
|
PLG120
|
Introduction To The Legal System |
3
|
|
PLG140
|
Administrative Law |
2
|
|
PLG155
|
Legal Research & Writing |
3
|
|
PLG180
|
Critical Thinking Reasoning & Persuasive Arguments |
2
|
|
PLG170
|
Landlord & Tenant |
3
|
|
PLG210
|
Legal Computer Applications |
2
|
|
ENG107
|
College Writing |
3
|
Semester 5
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
|
PLG500
|
Field Placement |
9
|
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Court and Tribunal Agent (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 52613)
The successful completion of the program will enable the graduate to:
- Utilize the applicable legal structure, process, and jurisdictional authority of courts and administrative tribunals to effectively represent clients in disputes and appeals within the permitted scope of paralegal practice
- Research, analyse and interpret legislation and examine judicial interpretation of legislation, and produce proper citation of provincial and federal statutes, regulations, case law and other legal resources.
- Employ effective human relations, interpersonal, and intervention strategies in support of the client relationship to assist in resolving legal disputes.
- Work within areas of permitted practice and articulate limitations on representation for paralegals.
- Develop client relationships through interpersonal, and effective oral and written communication skills.
- Employ effective administration and business management skills, utilizing basic accounting techniques, office organization and case management strategies.
- Utilize information technology resources and current industry computer software.
- Develop and assess strategies which adhere to established principles of ethics and codes of conduct, and enhancement of professional competence.
- Conduct legal research and collect, analyse and synthesize different research tools for the purposes of legal drafting and representation.
- Select, evaluate and utilize effective advocacy techniques, including oral and written legal presentations, using accurate legal terminology.