Resolving A Legal Problem With Your Lawyer Or Paralegal In Canada

Posted on September 25, 2020 in Law

A lawyer helps to submit the appropriate documentation to prove the case in court and structure the affairs to achieve your desired goals. Generally, when you experience a legal issue and have a legal question, a plan, or a problem, you should consult with a trusted lawyer and try to get his/her opinion and advice. When you have a short question to ask or a small task to do, a lawyer can help you.

Contrary to what you think, it would be best to contact a lawyer if you did not wait until you have a problem. Also, you do not have to hire a lawyer for an extended period. Here are some of the critical areas that a lawyer can help you:

• A lawyer gives you some proper advice about the legal rights and responsibilities
• A lawyer provides a legal opinion about your options in a particular situation
• A lawyer can negotiate with other people for you

What Does A Paralegal Do In Ontario?

In Ontario, a paralegal is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario. According to Paralegal Toronto, “system of small claims court in Toronto, a branch of the Superior Court of Justice with no assistance from paralegal services is challenging.”

Here are a number of primary areas that a licensed paralegal is permitted to provide legal services and represent individuals:

• Administrative tribunals and boards
• The Landlord and Tenant Board
• The Immigration and Refugee Board
• The Financial Services Commission of Ontario
• Workplace Safety and Insurance Board

Social Benefits Tribunal, Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario

• Small Claims Court litigation (up-to $35,000)
• Statutory Accident Benefits claims for minor injuries
• criminal driving offenses, such as failure to stop after an accident, operation while prohibited, dangerous driving, and flight from a police officer
• Traffic and other offenses, which are heard in the Ontario Court of Justice
• Certain criminal law matters
• Criminal harassment
• Breaches of court orders
• Assault
• Theft under $5,000
• Mischief
• Fraud

According to Canadian Department of Justice, “Under the guidance of a legal professional, paralegals perform a variety of tasks in different areas of law, including performing extensive legal research, compiling documents for court proceedings or for client consultation files, drafting court documents for filing before administrative tribunals, Federal Courts and Provincial Courts, applying appropriate rules and procedures when managing a legal file, identifying important dates and court deadlines, analyzing and interpreting legal precedents and drafting case summaries, reviewing and analyzing legal issues, providing trial assistance, liaising with clients, and organizing information from clients, governmental or other institutions.”

A licensed paralegal provides the following legal services when representing you in any of the mentioned authorized areas:

• A licensed paralegal can negotiate on behalf of you
• A licensed paralegal can give you legal advice concerning your rights or responsibilities and legal interests
• A licensed paralegal can draft or assist with preparing proper documents to get the desired result

It should be emphasized that a paralegal, even a licensed paralegal, is not permitted to appear in Family Court, and s/he must appear under the supervision of a lawyer. Also, a paralegal cannot provide some legal services that only a lawyer may provide. Here are some of them:

• Handling real estate transactions
• Drafting wills
• Representing clients in serious criminal matters

There are some legal situations you can handle yourself with no need for the assistance of a lawyer or a paralegal! A person can negotiate a simple apartment lease, go to small claims court, and go to traffic court on his/her own. However, it is advisable to contact a lawyer or paralegal if the situation becomes more complicated.