In 2006 the Ontario government passed the Access to Justice Act, 2007. This legislation recognized that the inflated costs of hiring a lawyer are all too often prohibitive to the average citizen, there by restricting the average citizen from being able to afford access to justice. Paralegals charge less for their services than the fees commonly charged by lawyers.
Are Paralegals Licensed?
Yes. The Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) is the governing body for all licensees. The Law Society Act is the legislation which gives the Law Society its jurisdiction in Ontario. This is the same body which governs lawyers. All paralegals must meet the level of competencies as set out by LSUC. Once licensed, paralegals must abide by the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, and the By-Laws.
