Rule 6
Rule 6 - Duty to the Administration of Justice
6.01 Encouraging Respect for the Administration of Justice
General Duty
6.01 (1) A paralegal shall encourage public respect for, and try to improve, the administration of justice.
(2) A paralegal shall take care not to weaken or destroy public confidence in legal institutions or authorities by making irresponsible allegations or comments particularly when commenting on judges or members of a tribunal.
Security of Court Facilities
(3) Subject to Rule 3.03 relating to confidentiality, a paralegal who has reasonable grounds for believing that a dangerous situation is likely to develop at a court facility shall inform the local police force and give particulars.
Public Appearances and Statements
(4) So long as there is no infringement of the paralegal's obligation to the client, the paralegal profession, the courts, or the administration of justice, a paralegal may communicate information to the media and may make public appearances and statements.
(4.1) A paralegal shall not communicate information to the media or make public statements about a matter before a tribunal if the paralegal knows or ought to know that the information or statement will have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing a party's right to a fair trial or hearing.
[New October 2008]
Working With or Employing Unauthorized Persons
(5) A paralegal shall assist in preventing the unauthorized practice of law and the unauthorized provision of legal services.
(6) Without the express approval of a committee of Convocation appointed for the purpose, a paralegal shall not retain, occupy office space with, use the services of, partner or associate with, or employ in any capacity having to do with the provision of legal services any person who, in Ontario or elsewhere,
(a) is disbarred and struck off the Rolls,
(b) is a person whose license to practice law or to provide legal services is revoked,
(c) as a result of disciplinary action, has been permitted to resign his or her membership in the Law Society or to surrender his or her licence to practise law or to provide legal services, and has not had his or her license restored,
(d) is suspended,
(e) is a person whose license to practise law or to provide legal services is suspended, or
(f) is subject to an undertaking not to practise law or to provide legal services.
[Amended January 2008]
Practice by Suspended Paralegal Prohibited
(7) A paralegal whose license to provide legal services is suspended shall comply with the requirements of the By-laws and shall not
(a) provide legal services; or
(b) represent or hold himself or herself out as a person entitled to provide legal services.
[New January 2008]
Undertakings Not to Provide Legal Services
(8) A paralegal who gives an undertaking to the Law Society not to provide legal services shall not,
(a) provide legal services; or
(b) represent or hold himself or herself out as a person entitled to provide legal services.
[New January 2008]
Undertakings to Provide Legal Services Subject to Restrictions
(9) A paralegal who gives an undertaking to the Law Society to restrict his or her provision of legal services shall comply with the undertaking.
[New January 2008]