Paralegal

(Accelerated)

Program Description

This program is designed to train individuals who wish to become licensed paralegals in accordance with the requirements of the Law Society Act. Licensed paralegals may act in a self-employed capacity and offer specified legal services directly to the public for a fee without the supervision of a lawyer, or may be salaried employees in various legal environments. The type of work that a licensed paralegal may undertake is limited by law. This program provides training only in those areas in which a licensed paralegal may legally practice.

Students will acquire an understanding of general principles of law, and receive theoretical and practical training in specific legal subjects, legal ethics and small business practice.

On successful completion of all the elements of LGL201, including full attendance, students will receive an Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate from the School of Legal and Public Administration.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

• Substantial completion of an accredited university degree or college diploma.
• Proficiency in English at the College level.
• See Accelerated Delivery Mode Section below.

Applicant Selection:

• Students are required to be highly literate in the English language with good writing and analytical skills to be successful in this accelerated program.
• Applicant selection may include the assessment of English skills/proficiency.

Note: Although not required for admission, a high degree of computer literacy and keyboarding skills at 35 w.p.m. are recommended.

Your Career

This program is directed at individuals who wish to become licensed paralegals, and who wish to be self-employed, offering permitted legal services to the public, or, who prefer to work in paralegal firms, private and public sector law departments, law offices and legal clinics.

Accelerated Program

An accelerated program for those who have already graduated with a degree or diploma.

(The standard program is PLE.)

Accelerated Delivery Mode

The accelerated version of the regular, four semester diploma program is designed for students who can demonstrate that they have previously achieved the academic equivalents of four general education credits and EAC150. This allows the completion of the professional subjects in the curriculum over a period of three semesters instead of the four that constitute the regular PLE program.

Required Keyboarding Speeds

• 50 w.p.m. (net) for graduation

Field Placement

Students in the program who have met all necessary academic requirements will participate in a four-week unpaid field placement at the end of the third semester for practical experience. Students being placed in a court or other government setting will have to provide a police clearance certificate.

Licensing Requirements

Effective May 1, 2007, paralegals are required to be licensed by the Law Society of Upper Canada. To obtain a licence, a paralegal will need to graduate from an accredited program, pass a licensing examination and be of good character.

Note: This program has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada.To obtain a paralegal licence, an individual will need to graduate from an accredited program, pass a licensing examination and be of good character. Please refer to the Law Society website at www.lsuc.on.ca for information regarding the requirements for paralegal licensing. Paralegal application and licensing fees are not included in any fee schedule quoted by Seneca College.

Curriculum

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