Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
Paralegal
Seneca College Certificate
Core Information
More Information
Overview
All mid-term and final assessments will require personal attendance at the Newnham Campus. Any physical entry on campus is and will be governed by the Seneca health and safety protocols in place at the time.
It is mandatory that you apply to the Paralegal certificate program in order to take courses in this program at Seneca. Students, or potential students, who register and have been accepted for a course but have not applied for entry into the cohort-centred program itself, subsequently will be withdrawn and applicable withdrawal fees will be applied.
- Duration: two years + three months
- Format: three courses per term, year-round, in class delivery
- Fieldwork: three-week placement in a GTA law firm
- Licensing Exam: Graduates of the Seneca program are entitled to a Licensing Exam Prep course at no extra cost
This certificate program provides individuals with the specialized knowledge and skills to represent or advise clients, across a designated range of legal needs including: Small Claims Court, Provincial Offences Court, Ontario Court of Justice (involving summary conviction and some hybridic offences where a summary election is made), Provincial Administrative Tribunals and most Federal Administrative Tribunals, and some immigration matters.
Licensed paralegals are fully qualified and trained legal professionals. In Ontario, paralegals fulfill work responsibilities in:
- law firms
- government offices and the public sector
- insurance and banking including trust companies
- tech, manufacturing, and other corporations
- alternative dispute resolution
- private legal practice serving one?s own client base
- e-discovery (based on the Sedona model)
Law Society of Ontario Accredited Paralegal Education
Taught by practicing lawyers and paralegals, our program is designed in accordance with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) core competencies and prepares you to write the LSO Licensing examination.
Our courses are offered in the evenings and weekends, so you can continue to work full time while you expand your career horizons.
Whether you are changing careers or building on your skill set, the part-time Paralegal certificate program at Seneca can help you thrive in this dynamic field where the scope of practice is likely to expand and employment growth is expected to be strong.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session.
Entry Requirements
While there are no specific entry requirements, the ability to communicate effectively is an expectation of the Paralegal. Both verbal and written communication skills are emphasized throughout the program.
Application Form
The requirements of Seneca's part-time Paralegal certificate program are set by the Law Society of Ontario. To apply for the program, please complete the following online application form. By submitting this form, you are agreeing to the Terms of Study for this program outlined below.
Seneca has entered into a pilot project with the Law Society of Ontario that allows certain portions of your professional courses to be delivered in a hybrid mode. The Law Society is the regulator of the paralegal profession and may, at any time, alter the parameters of the pilot project. The Law Society requires all students to consent that they are part of this pilot project.
The September 2024 intake is now full. Students may apply for the September 2025 start.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Curriculum
Certificate Requirements
This course introduces students to important elements of the Canadian legal system. Topics include an introduction to the nature of law, the sources of law, the legal system, the Ontario Court system, the legal professions and typology of law. The course also includes an examination of Property Law, Consumer Law, Business Law, the structure of the Canadian Government, the Canadian Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and methods of analysis including the concept of jurisdiction and legal terminology.
Through the preparation, management and formatting of business and legal correspondence and other documents, LGL214 focuses on mastering intermediate and selected advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Word. This course is designed to further develop students' knowledge of word processing by means of assigned exercises, assignments, test and/or exam; students gain insight into the duties and responsibilities required in the modern legal office environment.
Completion of all Module 1 Courses
This course introduces the students to two basic areas of the law, namely contracts and torts. Contracts form the foundation of commerce in today's complex society. In this segment of the course the student learns what a contract is, when it is valid, how it may end, how a party deals with breach of contract, and the role of the courts in enforcing contracts and awarding damages for their breach. In the segment dealing with torts, the student learns about various aspects of tort law, with a particular focus on negligence, liability without fault, tort damages and common statutory torts.
Completion of all Module 1 Courses
This course introduces students to the general principles of administrative law and the enforcement of government legislation before designated boards and agencies. Students examine relevant Ontario legislation including the Statutory Powers Procedure Act.
Completion of all Module 1 Courses
This course provides students with an introduction to legal research and basic techniques of good legal writing. Students develop the skills necessary to analyze simple legal problems and to research basic legal questions. Students learn how to find and update primary sources of law using both paper and computerized sources. Students learn how to read, interpret and apply statutes, regulations and cases. Emphasis is placed on Ontario and federal law.
All Module One and Two Courses
This course provides students with a working knowledge of the legal aspects of employment; in particular, the areas of employment standards, occupational health and safety, and workplace safety and insurance will be examined. The course also introduces the student to the administrative practices and procedures of several administrative tribunals in this area of law in Ontario.
All Module One and Two Courses
This course is designed to introduce the basics of legal accounting, including the Law Society requirements of paralegals. Students build on their knowledge through the study of Excel and PCLaw.
All Module One and Two Courses
Students learn the basic principles of the law of evidence and techniques for its introduction in the hearing process. They are first introduced to the general procedure by which a case reaches the criminal and civil courts and the trial process. They examine the various forms and purpose of seeking admissibility of evidence; the exceptions to the rules of general admissibility; the evidentiary rules relating to the testimony of witness and the introduction of real and demonstrative evidence.
All Modules One to Three Courses
This course introduces students to the general practice and procedures before administrative tribunals. Students learn to identify and interpret the enabling legislation of administrative tribunals. Students review the legislation, practice and procedures before various tribunals before which a paralegal may represent a client.
All Modules One to Three Courses
This course introduces students to residential tenancies, and covers the Residential Tenancies Act. Students are taught the law and procedures relating to the termination of residential tenancies and other common applications that come before the Landlord and Tenant Board.
All Modules One to Three Courses
This course permits students to apply their knowledge of the substance and procedures of the Provincial Offences Act to specific offences, with emphasis on motor vehicle offences and trials. Students develop research and analytical skills as well as a practical knowledge of trial procedures.
All Modules One to Four Courses
This course introduces the substantive law and procedure related to offences under the Criminal Code of Canada, with the emphasis on summary conviction offences. Students review the limited role of the paralegal in the criminal court process. Students also learn the required procedures to apply for a pardon.
All Modules One to Four Courses
This course teaches the student the advocacy skills required in small claims court, provincial offences court and tribunals. Students prepare and present opening statements, examinations-in-chief, cross-examinations and closing arguments in class. At the end of the term, students participate in a mock trial.
All Modules One to Four Courses
Independent paralegals must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. Law Society by-laws and Paralegal Rules of Conduct - both based in the Law Society Act - set out professional and ethical obligations of Paralegals. Paralegals failing to meet these obligations are subject to the Society's complaints and discipline process. This course teaches students the permitted scope of practice of licensed paralegals and examines the Paralegal Rules of Conduct.
All Modules One to Five Courses
This course deals with methods of alternative dispute resolution, that is, processes devised to resolve a dispute outside the judicial system. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques include negotiation, mediation and arbitration. In this course, students become familiar with these techniques and work on the development of negotiation and mediation skills using an interest-based approach.
All Modules One to Five Courses
This course introduces the student to the practice and procedures of the Small Claims Court. Topics covered include basic collection procedures, the decision to sue, the investigation of claims, and the process of commencing an action, bringing it to trial and the enforcement of judgments.
All Modules One to Five Courses
This course teaches the basic requirements for establishing and operating a paralegal business. The course also introduces the student to the knowledge and communication skills necessary for the successful management of a paralegal practice.
All Modules One to Six Courses
This course provides the student with a basic working knowledge of Canadian immigration law and policy. Immigration is a comprehensive field of government regulation that encompasses diverse issues ranging from social, family and economic development considerations to the international refugee problem. The student is made familiar with the main areas of immigration policy and procedure.
Students must get approval of their field placement from the field placement coordinator prior to beginning the placement. All field placements must be done under the supervision of and signed off by a licensed lawyer or paralegal.
- Successful completion of all module courses in the Paralegal Education Certificate Program.
- Police clearance letter: Any student who wishes to have a field placement in a court, governmental department, agency or tribunal may have to obtain a police clearance letter from the jurisdiction in which he or she resides. See "Police Clearance Letters and Security Checks," later in this outline.
Students are required to complete field placement in a legal work setting to apply the theory and skills they have learned in the program, and to gain work experience. Field placement promotes the concept of "learning by doing". The student must successfully complete field placement of 120 hours to graduate from their program.
The Law Society of Ontario requires a minimum of 120 hours of Field Placement/Practicum work experience.
20 Courses for the Paralegal Certificate, the credential required to write the Law Society Licensing Exam.
All mid-term and final assessments will require personal attendance at the Newnham Campus. Any physical entry on campus is and will be governed by the Seneca health and safety protocols in place at the time.
Program Progression
The Paralegal certificate program has one intake per year – Fall (September). To apply for this program students need to complete the Online Application Form and register in the first module courses.
Students must complete all modules in the order presented and take all three courses in each module in the same term. Prerequisites will be strictly enforced. Students need to commit to taking all seven modules consecutively, one term after another without any interruption in study. This means one cannot take a term off and then restart the program. It is essential that students start the program with a cohort and proceed through the program with the same cohort.
Failure to follow the module progression will result in a student being withdrawn from the program and thus risk incurring academic or financial penalties.
If a student fails a course they need to consult with the Academic Program area to determine when it will be offered again.
Field Placement
The field placement time requirement, mandated by the Law Society of Ontario ["LSO"], is 240 hours.
Students are encouraged to expose themselves to a business environment one might reasonably expect to encounter in ordinary, private legal practice. A placement comprised of 240 consecutive hours offers a beneficial continuity of experience and therefore it is strongly recommended.
Beginning with the induction of the September 2024 cohort, the 240-hour placement may be fulfilled in two, different ways. There are two options for students:
Option 1: The placement may be commenced at the beginning of Module 5, and it may be completed at any time – day or night, weekdays or weekends, live or remote between the beginning of Module 5 and the end of Module 7, subject to approval by the Field Placement Coordinator. You may find your own placement host or Seneca FPL placement facilities will provide placement assistance. Note that Module 7 requires satisfactory completion of three, academic courses and, if you choose this option, you will also be required to complete the field placement by the end of the module along with the three academic courses.
Program Outcomes
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- articulate and adhere to the permitted scope of paralegal practice and the Paralegal Rules of Conduct and complete all work in compliance with the ethical and professional responsibilities of a Paralegal.
- manage a paralegal practice and operate a small business, within the Paralegal Rules of Conduct relevant to these matters by effectively utilizing administrative and business management skills.
- describe the fundamental elements of the Canadian government and legal system, including the Constitution Act, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the organization of the Canadian court system, and the basic principles of property, business and consumer law.
- articulate and adhere to the basic principles of tort and contract law.
- conduct legal research and write legal memoranda and reports.
- adhere to the civil litigation process, within the permitted scope of paralegal practice, and apply procedural and evidentiary rules related to proceedings in the Small Claims Court.
- describe the principles of criminal law, and adhere to the rules relating to proceedings under the Criminal Code before a summary conviction court.
- describe the principles of the law of provincial offences, and adhere to the rules relating to proceedings under the Provincial Offences Act before the Ontario Court of Justice.
- make effective client representation before courts and administrative tribunals within the permitted scope of paralegal practice.
- compare and contrast various alternate dispute resolution mechanisms, select an appropriate mechanism as required, and explain to the client the potential consequences of the dispute resolution mechanism.
- adhere to the basic principles of administrative law, and of general practice and procedure before administrative tribunals.
- articulate and adhere to the principles of employment law, and the practice and procedure related to the administrative tribunals that deal with employment matters.
- articulate and adhere to residential landlord and tenant law, and the practice and procedure before the Landlord and Tenant Board.
- draft all necessary documents in a clear, concise and accurate manner.
- apply basic accounting principles, terminology, and operations to all paralegal obligations related to trust accounts, and the Law Society's requirements for book and record keeping.
- select and use the appropriate computer software necessary to produce correspondence, spreadsheets, memoranda and legal documents.
- prepare an employment resume in accordance with professional legal standards.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
Minimum Performance for Graduation
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Note:
Students should consider applying for graduation while in their last term of studies in order to meet with the Law Society of Ontario's examination dates. Please see Licensing Information for additional information.
Licensing Information
Note: Regarding Law Society of Ontario Licensing Procedures
The Law Society has an annual Paralegal Licensing Cycle in which there are three opportunities within that cycle for the Paralegal Licensing examination to be written by college graduates. The application process usually becomes available on the Law Society website in the fall of every year.
To be eligible to write the licensing examination the student must have applied to the Law Society, met all of the Law Society's requirements and have graduated from an accredited Paralegal program. It is incumbent on every student to be aware of the Law Society application criteria, deadlines for submission of documents and fees. Please refer to the Law Society of Ontario Paralegal Licensing Process for detail information.
Paralegal students are expected to submit an official request for a transcript (via Registration) to be sent to the Law Society in time to meet the Law Society's Licensing Examination date deadline.
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) website provides information on the examination dates and deadlines regarding licensing requirements
New Students
Students Starting Fall 2024
Hybrid Confirmation
New Students: when you register for your courses in Fall 2024, it will be assumed that you understand and agree to participation in the new, hybrid course delivery format and associated technological requirements, subject to the approval of the Law Society of Ontario.
There have been many changes to the program mandated by the Law Society. These include:
A new 240-hour placement requirement that may be completed in partial hybridic format between the beginning of Module 5 and the end of Module 7 or, as a stand-alone, live and in-person at the host's practice location in a new, optional 8th Module.
A revised 7th Module that includes Immigration Law, Refugee Law and a third course which you may select among three options provided. All courses in this module are remote subject to live, in-person tests and examinations.
Mandatory recording of remote sessions which include mandatory face-to-face engagement with your instructors. Blank screens are not permitted.
There are new textbooks for some courses including LGL 180: Introduction to Law and LGL 102: Contracts and Torts.
Academic Program Schedule
Paralegal Certificate Program – Academic Program Schedule
For students starting the Paralegal Certificate Program in Fall 2024 and onwards.
See important note below.
|
Year |
Fall
|
Winter |
Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Introduction to the Legal System
Legal Computer
LGL150
|
Administrative Law
Contracts & Torts
Legal Research
|
Employment Law
Legal Accounting
Evidence & the Litigation Process
|
|
2
|
Residential Tenant and
Tribunal Practice
Provincial
|
Criminal Summary Conviction
Advocacy
Ethics
FPL 495 (Option 1)
|
Alternative Dispute Resolution (In-person) Small Claims Court Practice
Practice
|
|
3
|
Immigration Law
Refugee Law for Paralegals
plus, any one of: Issues in Diversity
Or Legislation for
|
FPL 495 (Option 2)
|
The mandatory field placement course offers students TWO options. Option 1 permits students to begin their placement at the commencement of Module 5 in Year 2, to be completed by the end of Module 7 in Year 3. The placement is hybrid implying a combination of live attendance and remote tasking with the permission of the placement host and the field placement supervisor. Option 2 permits students to begin their placement at the commencement of Module 8 in Year 3, to be completed by the end of the module. The placement requires live, in-person attendance at the host location with no remote component permitted. In Module 8, there are no other courses except the placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I have graduated from the Law Clerk program will you accept any of my courses in the
Paralegal program?
Answer: No, none of the courses in the Law Clerk program or the Legal Assistant
program can be used towards the part-time Paralegal program.
2. When can I start in the program?
Answer: We accept new students into the program each fall semester
(September).
3. How do I apply to the program?
Answer: There is only one in-take per year for the part-time Paralegal program, in
the Fall semester. There are no specific entry requirements for the program at this time. The
ability to communicate effectively is an expectation of the Paralegal program. Both verbal and
written communication skills are emphasized throughout the program.
The application form is on the website under Core Information. All students who are interested in the program must complete and submit an application form. Applications are accepted throughout the year prior to the fall semester start. This is a popular program, so we recommend applying early.
4. What happens after I submit my online application?
Answer: You will receive an email confirming your acceptance with further
information on how to register and important guidelines/expectations. Registration for the Fall
semester will open in June.
5. Once I start in the program, can I take a semester off?
Answer: Once students begin in the program in September, they attend classes
continuously for seven semesters with no break. There are three courses required in each module
(semester). Students are expected to complete all three courses successfully before progressing to
the next module.
6. I am a current student and cannot register in any courses even though registration is
open. Why?
Answer: Once final grades are posted and you have completed your current three
courses successfully, the system will allow you to register for the coming semester.
7. I dropped out of the program a few years ago and I want to finish it now. How do I do
that?
Answer: Please contact
yasmeen.syed@senecapolytechnic.ca who will
review your course history. If you dropped out of the program more than two years ago, you may be
asked to re-apply to the program and start from the beginning, depending on the age of your
credits.
8. What is the difference between the Paralegal diploma offered in full time and the
certificate offered part time?
Answer: At this time, the Faculty of Continuing Education only offers the
Paralegal certificate, the diploma is offered in full-time studies. There are more courses required
in the diploma, such as communication and general education courses. Both the certificate program
and the diploma program are designed in accordance with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) core
competencies and both prepare students to write the LSO Licensing examination.
9. Will I be allowed to write the Law Society of Ontario licensing exam if I complete the
certificate?
Answer: To be eligible to write the licensing examination the student must have
applied to the Law Society, met all of the Law Society's requirements and have graduated from an
accredited Paralegal program. It is incumbent on every student to be aware of the Law Society
application criteria, deadlines for submission of documents and fees. Please refer to the
Law Society of Ontario Paralegal
Licensing Process for detail information. The certificate program is accredited by the LSO.
Graduates of our part-time certificate program may apply to the LSO to write the licensing exam, as it is a Law Society of Ontario Accredited Paralegal program.
10. Am I able to fulfil my placement at least once or twice a week instead of consecutively
as long as the total hours amount to 240 as required?
Upon approval, it is possible to negotiate the parameters of your placement with the
employer, provided you complete a total of 240 hours. However, please note that some employers have
been reluctant to accept alternative arrangements in the past. Remote placements are now permitted
in certain circumstances. You may wish to find your own placement employer who might be open to
accommodating your needs. If you choose to do so, you must obtain approval for the plan and the
employer from the Field Placement Coordinator before commencing the placement.
11. If I find my own placement, do I still have to pay for the Field Placement course? If I
have already paid, do I get a refund?
Yes, you are still required to pay for the course. Unfortunately, refunds are not
possible.
12. When does the placement run?
Depending upon the option you choose, the placement runs between the beginning of the 5th
module and the end of the 7th module or in an optional 8th module as a stand-alone course.
Do I get paid for placement?
No, the placement is unpaid. It is an opportunity for you to enhance your résumé, gain
direct experience, and fulfill the ministry-imposed requirements for graduation.
Part-time Paralegal Coordinator
Richard Gasparini
Following graduation from Carleton University and the University of Ottawa law school Dr. Gasparini practiced in Ottawa and Toronto Ontario and was a litigation partner at Lang, Michener (now McMillan's) one of Canada's most elite and prestigious law firms. In 1998, he became regional in-house Counsel at Canada Post Corporation (Toronto) with focus on litigation management, labour law and regulatory policy. In 2009, he retired from active practice and began teaching at colleges and universities. He has taught at George Brown College, Ryerson University (Toronto) and York University (Toronto); in addition, he is the Academic Program Manager of the Paralegal Certificate Program at Seneca College (Newnham Campus, Toronto). He is a past public member of the Council of Ontario Professional Foresters' Association by appointment of the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario.
His participating memberships have included the Academy of International Business at Michigan State University, U.S.A., the American Society of International Law, the Academy of Management (U.S.A.), the American Management Association (AMA), the Society of Legal Scholars (U.K.), the American Sociological Association, the Canadian Anthropology Society (Montreal, Que.), the Association of MBAs (AMBA, U.K.), the North Central Sociological Association (NCSA), the International Sociological Association (ISA), the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) and the World Association for Public Opinion and Research Centre at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, U.S.A.
Dr. Gasparini's publications include scholarly articles in Canadian Manager, the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, SELS Review, the Advocate's Journal and The Handbook of Board Governance, 3d (Leblanc) 2024, Wiley. He is the co-author of Canadian Law and Business Studies (Canadian Scholars and Women?s Studies, 2023) and Canadian Family Law Handbook (Austin, Macauley Publishers, New York). He holds a BA, with distinction (Carleton University), MA (University of Central Lancashire, Dec. 2024), JD (LLB) (University of Ottawa), LLM (Nottingham Trent University), LLM (Osgoode Hall, York University), CM (James Madison University, U.S.A.), and a MBA, with distinction (Bradford University, School of Management and Law, U.K.). Mr. Gasparini received his qualitative, research-based PhD from the Department of Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University (U.K.). His research concentration focusses on diversity issues in institutional management.
He continues to be a licensed member of the Ontario Bar and is a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario (Toronto). He was (past) elected a member of the York University Academic Standards, Curriculum and Pedagogy Committee / joint committee on Quality Assurance and a member of the Liberal Arts and Professional Studies Faculty Council.
Finally, Dr. Gasparini holds current fellowships at the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI), the Institute of Leadership and Management (FInstLM) and the Royal Society of Arts in the United Kingdom (FRSA).
Program Contacts
Annie Kirkham
Program Assistant
Annie.Kirkham@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0985
Yasmeen Syed
Academic Program Manager
Yasmeen.Syed@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0965
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.
Information Session
Students are invited to attend an information session.