Paralegal

Courses

• First Year - Semester One
• PROF1023 Building Links 1
• This course offers students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom and to explore legal subjects in a variety of contexts.
• PARA1010 Introduction to the Legal System
• This subject introduces students to important elements of the Canadian legal system, including the nature, systems, and sources of law, the Canadian government and political system, the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the jurisdiction and structure of Federal and Ontario courts. The concluding unit of the course presents an overview of private substantive law principles and terminology relating to ownership and other interests in property (real and personal) methods of organization of a business and selected consumer protection legislation.
• COMM1081 Legal Communications
• This course focuses on the fundamental skills of effective communication in a legal environment. The course will promote
  the improvement of writing skills that are specific to the legal profession.
• COMP1023 Legal Computer Applications
• Students learn and practise computer software applications specific to working in a legal environment. Applications include formatting and editing legal documents, generating spreadsheets, and preparing presentations.
• WRIT1021 Legal Research & Writing 1
• This course introduces the techniques used to research and update legislation and case law using Quicklaw, CanLII, Elaws, the Justice Laws Website and traditional means.
• PARA1002 Torts and Contracts
• The course introduces students to basic principles in the law of torts and contracts. Tort principles include requirements of proof for intentional torts and for negligence claims, defences, liability without fault, heads of damages and statutory liabilities or entitlements. Contract law principles include elements of a valid contract, defects that render a contract void or voidable, methods of discharging contractual obligations and breach of contract issues and remedies.
• GNED General Education Elective
• General Education Courses

• First Year - Semester Two
• PROF1024 Building Links 2
• This course offers students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom and to explore legal subjects in a variety of contexts.
• PARA1011 Criminal Summary Conviction Procedures
• This course examines summary conviction criminal procedures from the laying of the charge(s) through to the completion of the trial, sentence and appeal. Students develop an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various participants, the documentation involved, and the legislation that governs criminal proceedings. Reference will be made to legislation, including, but not limited to, the Criminal Code of Canada, in particular Part XXVII: the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; the Canada Evidence Act; the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and the Rules of Criminal Proceedings.
• LAWS1016 Employment Law
• This course examines legal issues in the context of employment law, including the nature of the employer-employee relationship, employment law principles, human rights, disability labour relations and provincial legislation relating to employment law. This course also examines practice and procedure relating to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, the Ontario Labour Relations Board and regulatory offences relating to employment law.

• ETHI1019 Ethics - Professional Responsibility
• This course provides a comprehensive review and discussion of Law Society rules, guidelines and by-laws respecting what constitutes ethical conduct and what a licensed paralegal's professional responsibilities are in dealings with clients, other members of the legal profession, court and tribunal adjudicators and support personnel and members of the public. Relevant case decisions, examples and scenarios are used to support understanding of the guiding principles.
• PARA1009 Evidence & the Litigation Process
• This course examines the basic principles of the laws of evidence and techniques for introduction in the hearing process. It also examines various forms of evidence and rules respecting admissibility, exceptions to the admissibility rules, and rules relating to the testimony of witnesses. Students are introduced to the procedure by which a case reaches the court system and the procedure that follows.
• WRIT1022 Legal Research & Writing 2
• This course explores the techniques used to interpret and apply legislation and case law. It also introduces the skills needed to draft legal correspondence and memoranda persuasively.
  Prerequisite: WRIT 1021
• PROF1015 Paralegal Career Prep
• This course is designed to assist students with understanding the employment market for graduates and to help students with job market entry preparations.

• Second Year - Semester Three
• PARA2018 Alternative Dispute Resolution
• This course will familiarize students with the range of alternative dispute methods currently used to bypass the traditional litigation process. Dispute resolution alternatives examined will include negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. This introductory course will guide the student in an examination of the objectives, principles, practice and application of three of the most widely used alternative dispute methods.
• LAWS2011 Introduction to Administrative Law
• The course introduces students to administrative law and proceedings by examining substantive common law and statutory principles and selected tribunals' jurisdiction, procedural requirements and review/appeals provisions.
• ACCT2013 Legal Accounting
• This course provides students with an understanding of basic accounting principles with an emphasis on accounting requirements by the Law Society of Ontario. Students will be introduced to legal accounting software. These outcomes will be achieved through lectures, computer labs, assigned exercises, and tests.
  Prerequisite: COMP 1023
• WKPL2076 Paralegal Practicum 1
• This course provides students with opportunities to observe day-to-day work requirements and work-related expectations within their chosen field of study. At the discretion of a placement host or the practicum coordinator, students are assigned practical tasks that enable them to enhance their career knowledge and skills.
• PARA2015 Provincial Offences/Motor Vehicle Offence
• This course examines Provincial Offences Act procedures for commencing proceedings, disposing of charges without trial, the conduct of hearings, applications/motions and trials, imposition of sentence, setting aside default convictions and filing notice of appeal. Reference is made to common motor vehicle offences. In addition to court procedures relating to the offence, the classification of offences, police powers, elements of proof, available defences, statutory and administrative penalties and Charter of Rights and Freedoms issues will be discussed.
• LAWS2014 Residential Landlord and Tenant Law
• This course examines the Residential Tenancies Act, selected regulations, Landlord-Tenant Board processes and procedures as well as the types of evidence required in relation to a variety of frequently-encountered disputes concerning the rights and obligations of residential premises landlords and tenants in Ontario.
• GNED General Education Elective
• General Education Courses

• Second Year - Semester Four
• PARA2006 Advocacy
• Students are introduced to the skills of effective client representation from initial client contact through to case presentation in court.
  Prerequisite: PARA 1009, PARA 1011
  Co-requisite: PARA 2016
• WKPL2077 Paralegal Practicum 2
• This course provides students with opportunities to observe day-to-day work requirements and work-related expectations within their chosen field of study. At the discretion of a placement host or the practicum coordinator, students are assigned practical tasks that enable them to enhance their career knowledge and skills.
• BUSI2022 Practice Management - Operating a Small Business
• This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the theories and practical knowledge required to successfully plan and operate a small legal business.
• PARA2016 Small Claims Court
• The course examines the jurisdiction of Ontario Small Claims Court, the procedural requirements for various steps in an action from commencement through to appeal and enforcing payment of a judgment and best practices for drafting pleadings and other court documents.
• PARA2017 Tribunal Practice and Procedure
• This course provides an introduction to the concepts of practice as well as the basic skills and techniques needed to advocate for clients before tribunals. Students are exposed to the administrative law system in Canada and in particular Ontario. Learners will become familiar with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act, the governing legislation for administrative tribunals in Ontario. Students are also presented with information about specific tribunals where paralegals may represent a client, including the enabling legislation and rules of practice specific to those tribunals.
  Prerequisite: LAWS 2011
• GNED General Education Elective
• General Education Courses

*Courses subject to change.