Welcome to my first blog. I am often asked, "Are you a lawyer?" When I answer, "No, I’m a paralegal." I am then asked, "What is a Paralegal?"

Paralegals do similar work that lawyers do, but only in certain areas and in certain courts.

While lawyers are able to advocate in all courts and tribunals, paralegals advocate in the Small Claims Court, the Ontario Court of Justice (for Provincial Offences and Summary Convictions) and various Administrative Tribunals. The advantage for clients is that while lawyers charge on average $300 or more and concentrate their business in the higher courts, paralegals charge on average $150 or less for the same work and concentrate their business at the lower courts and tribunals. Consumers now have a greater choice in legal representation that meet their budget. Access to justice has now become more affordable.

Paralegals have been providing legal services for decades, but it was only in 2007, when paralegals became regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Licensed paralegals must now adhere to the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, be insured and participate in professional development training on an annual basis. Should an issue arise with their legal representative, consumers now have a voice and are able to make a complaint with the Law Society.

Currently, there are more than 7000 licensed paralegals in Ontario and I am happy to be part of this professional group. I have been working in the legal community for decades, from legal assistant to law clerk and now as a licensed paralegal. It has been a long hard journey to get to this level, but I am very excited to use my extensive legal experience to finally be able to offer my clients legal advice and representation at an affordable rate.

#lawyer #paralegal #smallclaimscourt #tribunals