Update on Paralegal Licensing and
Good Character
The Law Society has issued almost 2000 paralegal licences since May of this year. Ontarians now have access to a whole new group of professionally regulated and licensed legal service providers. These paralegals are individuals who had significant previous experience providing paralegal services, passed a licensing examination, paid the requisite fees, and satisfied the various other requirements imposed by the Law Society in order to protect the public. The Law Society of Upper Canada is pleased to welcome this first group of licensed paralegals.
The Law Society is still processing and evaluating some applications for transitional status. In the course of the grandparent and transitional licensing process, almost 400 applicants disclosed matters that required an investigation of their good character, as stipulated by the Law Society Act. More than half have been cleared for licensing because, following investigation, there are no longer concerns about their present good character. A dedicated team of staff is continuing to work diligently to process the remaining matters and conclude investigations as soon as possible.
In some cases we expect a formal, public hearing will be necessary to determine whether a paralegal licence should be granted or refused. Many of these applicants are permitted to continue practising as long as they meet the requirements of the application process, such as maintaining professional liability insurance and complying with the Paralegal Rules of Conduct. They must cease to practise if a Hearing Panel determines that they are ineligible. Admissions hearings are pending in several cases and more hearings are likely to take place over the next 18 months.
The Law Society is committed to protecting the public by ensuring that only those who are of good character are admitted to the practice of law or licensed as paralegals.