Paralegals in Ontario: What Kind of Services Do They Offer?
Review Article
Paralegals in Ontario: What Kind of Services Do They Offer? Facing legal issues is something that nobody ever wants to go through and with good reason. It’s not only the stress and emotional toll that such situations bring but also the high costs of hiring a professional Ontario paralegal that can make things worse. However, it’s important to remember that choosing the right paralegal is crucial to the success of your case. A competent paralegal can make all the difference and help you navigate the legal system easily.
On the other hand, an inexperienced or unprofessional paralegal can be a waste of time and money and even jeopardize your case. So, it’s essential to do thorough research and choose a paralegal with the necessary experience and expertise to handle your case.
If you’re in Ontario and curious about what a paralegal can do for you, continue reading.
What Does Paralegals In Ontario Do?
Ontario Paralegals are highly skilled professionals with specialized training in legal matters and issues. They are licensed to provide legal services such as Small Claims, Landlord and Tenant, Traffic Tickets, etc. in Ontario. Learn more about paralegals here. Additionally, paralegals are authorized to represent clients in small claims court and tribunal proceedings.
But just like lawyers, paralegals are also categorized according to their specific areas of specialization, such as family law or litigation support.
At the moment, paralegals are not allowed to practice family law in Ontario.
Paralegal services in Ontario can come in handy for someone with a legal issue. With their expertise and skills, you can get answers to your questions as fast and affordable as possible with no need to look for and hire a lawyer.
Litigation Support
A litigation support paralegal, for example, can assist you in gathering sufficient evidence for a civil lawsuit such as a small claims matter. They can also prepare the necessary documents for your upcoming trial. Some paralegals work primarily on traffic ticket concerns to help you reduce your fines to the minimum amount possible.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Roles of Ontario Paralegals
Paralegals in Ontario have a wide range of duties and responsibilities. They are expected to be efficient, detail-oriented, and organized, with excellent skills in research and documentation needed for case files.
Managing documents is one of the significant responsibilities of paralegals. It involves guaranteeing the proper filing of every document according to legal precedence. This may also include reviewing discrepancies in the case files and updating them accordingly.
Legal Research
Aside from document management, paralegals also have a crucial role in researching the cases assigned to them. To do this, paralegals must study and familiarise themselves with all case laws and look for existing precedents in different publications and other secondary sources.
Paralegals in Ontario need to identify and establish the circumstances related to their case. They are also expected to stay updated on any legal changes to ensure they comply with the new rules whenever necessary. Additionally, many companies hire paralegals to draft legal documents for external and internal purposes.
Paralegals in Ontario may also be in charge of drafting agreements, contracts, and other similar legal documents required to complete a client’s legal case.
Based on these, you might have noticed how paralegals have almost the same duties and responsibilities as lawyers. However, please note that paralegals can not appear in Family Courts, Superior, Appeal or Supreme Courts (higher courts), and they cannot provide legal services that only a lawyer can offer, such as drafting wills or handling real estate transactions or estates.
Wrapping It Up
A licensed paralegal in Ontario can provide invaluable assistance when dealing with legal disputes such as small claims court or landlord and tenant issues.
When faced with a legal issue, one may think hiring a lawyer is the best option. However, in some instances, seeking assistance from a knowledgeable paralegal may be more beneficial, especially if you are financially constraints. A paralegal with in-depth knowledge of the law can guide you through the process to ensure the success of your case.