Paralegal

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS GAINED

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Courses are divided into Primary, Secondary, and Advanced levels. Students must complete all Primary courses prior to entering any Secondary courses. All Primary and Secondary courses must be completed before enrolling in Advanced courses. This structured approach ensures that students gain the comprehensive knowledge and practical skills required to succeed as a Paralegal professional.

Career Building:

English I - Introduces students to college-level English reading and writing skills to develop grammar, vocabulary, and paragraph development.

Professional Skills - Prepares students with every aspect of their transition into their new career by identifying and teaching essential business and interpersonal skills.

Primary Courses:

Introduction to the Legal System - This course is designed to introduce students to the legal system in Canada. Students learn about the structure of the Canadian government and political system, the Canadian court systems and the powers governing each. The course covers the Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in addition to property law, business law, and consumer laws applicable across the country. Students also develop proficiency in basic legal terminologies, statutes, and regulations.

Legal Computer Applications - In this course, students are introduced to Microsoft Office basics including how to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Various correspondence and legal documents are demonstrated using Microsoft Office software to view pleadings, motions, applications, and forms. Students also learn to do legal research using the internet to find documents, applications, view case law and court websites related to the drafting of correspondence and memoranda.

Legal Communication - Students thoroughly examine various legal writing techniques required to work in the legal field. They also learn to draft various types of legal documents including affidavits, memorandums, legal correspondence, and court pleadings. Students learn the importance of proper writing skills, accurate spelling, legal terminology, and presentation techniques.

Legal Research and Writing - In this course, students learn about legal research and writing using sources such as text books, e-Laws, CanLII, and various other online sources. Students draft legal memoranda and learn how to research relevant statutes, regulations, and case law for courtroom use and for creating a book of authorities or other supporting materials.

Secondary Courses:

Torts and Contracts - In this course, students gain an understanding of both contract law and tort law and how they are viewed by the legal system in Canada. Students focus on both intentional and unintentional torts including negligence, assault, battery, trespassing, and other matters related to tort law. The course also covers the elements of a contract such as intention, capacity, legality, consideration, offer, and acceptance, including remedies for each focusing on damages, discharge, breach, and other contractual rights.

Criminal Summary Conviction Procedure - In this course, students study the Criminal Code of Canada and its regulations. This course is designed to familiarize students with the legal issues and procedures associated with summary conviction matters, and explore the roles of police, the Crown, and the defendant in criminal proceedings.

Provincial and Motor Vehicle Offences - This course is designed to familiarize students with provincial offences matters in Ontario and emphasizes on providing legal services in the provincial offences court and the Ontario Court of Justice. Students study the Provincial Offences Act, Highway Traffic Act, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, Liquor Licence and Control Act, Environmental Protection Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Trespass to Property Act, and the Blind Persons’ Rights Act.

Administrative Law - In this course, students thoroughly examine the various functions and characteristics of administrative law bodies in Ontario along with the roles and functions of tribunals and their administrative processes. Students explore natural justice, bias, and public decision making with an emphasis on administrative law as it applies to boards, agencies, tribunals, and commissions. Charter claims and remedies as they apply in the administrative law context are also covered in this course

Employment Law - This course provides students with an understanding of employment laws as they apply to employers and employees in Ontario. Students review and analyze employment-related statutes and case law, and learn to identify and address potential legal problems in the workplace. Students also observe various statutes including the Employment Standards Act, 2000, Labour Relations Act, 1995, Human Rights Code, Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Employment-related tribunals and their practice requirements are analyzed as well.

Residential Landlord and Tenant Law - Introduces students to the Residential Tenancies Act and its corresponding regulations. Students gain an understanding of the landlord-tenant relationship and the rights of all parties in accordance with the Act. Students are also familiarized with the Landlord and Tenant Board and the processes for filing applications and completing other relevant forms.

Small Claims Court I - This course provides students with an understanding of the standard procedures,rules, practices, and procedures governing actions brought in the Small Claims Court. Students work extensively with the Rules of the Small Claims Court, reviewing relevant court documents and cases essential to the practice of a Paralegal.

Tribunal Practice and Procedure - In this course, students learn to identify and interpret legislation of administrative tribunals. Students also examine tribunal hearing processes and sequences of proceedings. This course also includes practical exercises, including presentations on tribunals appointed by the instructors and engaging in daily advocacy exercises, simulating real-life scenarios.

Legal Accounting - In this course, students go through daily studies to guide them through billing and record keeping procedures and requirements for handling client legal matters. Students focus on using the Law Society Bookkeeping Guide and review trust accounts, general accounts, and transaction record requirements amongst many bookkeeping requirements of a legal services practice.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility - In this course, students are introduced to the Law Society’s mandatory requirements regarding professional responsibility, practice management, and record keeping requirements. The Paralegal Rules of Conduct, Paralegal Professional Conduct Guidelines, and relevant by-laws are used to guide the students through this complex course dealing with issues related to civility, professionalism, and other ethical matters that are related to licensed paralegal roles.

Small Claims Court II - This course provides students with an understanding of the standard procedures in the Small Claims Court and the rules, practice, and enforcement of court orders in the Small Claims Court. Students work extensively with the Rules of the Small Claims Court and review relevant court documents, enforcement procedures; pre-claim steps to avoid uncollectable defendants and simulate a mock trial in Small Claims Court settings that are relevant to the practice of a Paralegal.

Introduction to Immigration Law - This module introduces students to the Canadian immigration laws, rules, policies, and procedures that are enforced and developed through Canadian government agencies, courts, and tribunals. Students are introduced to immigration concepts, such as grounds for entry into Canada, inadmissibility, permanent residency, and refugee law.

Practice Management - This course focuses on the responsibilities required by the Law Society regarding practice management and operation of a small paralegal business in Ontario. Students are introduced to various concepts including drafting a business plan, following the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, and understanding their obligations as an employer.

Advanced Courses:

Alternative Dispute Resolution - This course introduces students to various types of dispute resolution mechanisms as an alternative to traditional litigation processes. Students learn the practice of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, examining objectives, principles, and practice, and applying different types of alternative dispute resolution solutions in the legal system.

Advocacy - In this course, students focus on analyzing various courtroom litigation strategies that include performing opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, re-examinations, objections, and closing arguments. Students also examine conducting client interviews, identifying the order of evidence to be introduced, and preparing witnesses. Additionally, the course addresses preparation of submissions for costs or sentencing.

Evidence and the Litigation Process - In this course, students get familiarized with the rules of evidence in the statutory law and common law. Students learn the basic principles regarding admissibility of evidence, including weight, materiality, relevance, and prejudicial effect versus probative value. The course also examines exceptions to the admissibility of evidence and how to use those rules in courts and tribunals, as well as use of expert evidence.

Practicum:

Practicum Placement - The practicum placement provides students with an opportunity to incorporate classroom theory into real world legal work environments. It allows students the ability to demonstrate, evaluate, and refine skills needed in paralegal jobs and legal assistant roles. Placement provides students with a meaningful work experience for jobs within the paralegal industry. Field placement enables Paralegal students to understand the dynamics of the legal industry, increase their knowledge of industry practices and gain a competitive advantage through experience in law firms, paralegal firms, or legal service organizations.

As part of the Paralegal Diploma Program, students complete a 240-hour field placement, gaining hands-on experience in real legal environments. CIMT College coordinates legal office placements to ensure students develop practical, job-ready skills before being awarded their diploma.

WHY THIS PROGRAM?

Paralegals prepare legal documents, conduct research, and represent clients in matters ranging from minor to very serious offences. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by provincial and federal legislation, and many provide independent legal services on contract to law firms or other establishments.

Graduates with a Paralegal license become indispensable members of the legal field dealing with various matters involving case research and writing, evidence gathering, witness preparation, advocacy, ADR, and much more.

National data shows the median hourly wage for paralegals in Canada is around $32.69/hour, or nearly $68,000 per year, with experienced professionals and specialized roles earning significantly more (Megan Carter, Paralegal Edu, 2025). Across Canada, paralegals and related legal support occupations make up tens of thousands of workers, with many positions distributed across public administration, professional services, and legal sectors (Gov. of Canada, Job Bank, 2025).

ASSOCIATED NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION (NOC) CODES

After pursuing a diploma and license as a Paralegal, you are eligible for positions falling under the following NOC Code:

NOC 42200 - Paralegal and related occupations.

Common Job Titles which you can apply for in Ontario include but are not limited to–Paralegal, Prosecutor, Mediator, Adjudicator, Legal Researcher, Law Clerk, and Court Clerk. Here are some of the available jobs for Paralegals on the Canada Job Bank.

JOB FUNCTIONS

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Job openings in the Paralegal field seek candidates who have completed an accredited college program and earned their license as a Paralegal.

Since the knowledge of legal terminology and the legal field is important to be successful in this position, some practicum and in-house training in a law firm or other legal establishment is usually desired by the employers.

• Independent Paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience, or through completion of a college paralegal program.

EMPLOYMENT AREAS & PROSPECTS

Our Paralegal diploma program develops the knowledge and skills desired by a wide range of prospective employers in the legal sector. Prospective employers include Attorney General offices, Financial Organizations, Legal Departments in public as well as private sectors, Municipal, Provincial and Federal Courts, Government Agencies, Correctional Institutions, Law Firms, Private and Public Colleges, Mediation Firms, and other establishments.