Courses
Semester 1
- Aboriginal Justice LAWS0085
Units/ Hours: 30
In this course students will identify and examine issues related to Aboriginal Justice in Canada. Specifically, students will focus on the relationship between the Canadian Justice system and Aboriginal Peoples. Historical and contemporary events will be examined to increase understanding of Aboriginal issues. Students will explore alternative justice, and other possible strategies to address the identified problems. Cultural practices and beliefs will also be discussed.
- College Communications for Law and Justice Professionals COMM0080
Units/ Hours: 37
This first semester course will introduce students to the essential communication skills required to be successful in their chosen post-secondary program. These skills include reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking. Through a series of written assignments, in-class discussions based on readings, and lab activities, students will improve their overall communication skills. Students of COMM80 will engage in a series of activities and assignments designed to provide the essential language skills required for academic success.
- Intro to Political Science & Public Administration LAWS0043
Units/ Hours: 45
This course provides an introduction to the democratic system of governance in Canada. It includes a description of the organization, structure, interaction, and administration of the three (3) levels of government. The course will introduce and identify the daily problems and issues faced by Canadians in a political context, including public opinion and special interest groups. Major themes explored include a brief introduction to political beliefs and values, an examination of cleavages within the Canadian population, the Canadian constitution, nationalism, and political culture and spectrum. These concepts will be examined in the current forum of the daily politics that unfold during the course. Students will begin to develop research writing skills and group discussion skills. This course is a hybrid course comprised of webct and seminar components.
- Introduction to Canadian Justice for Legal Professions LAWS0245
Units/ Hours: 45
This course provides an introductory overview of the Canadian Justice System. Special emphasis is placed on the criminal, civil and administrative justice systems. The role and responsibilities of Paralegals and Law Clerks in each system will be emphasized. Contemporary issues affecting the systems will be analysed and discussed. Topics covered will include but not be limited to: an introduction to the nature of the law, the legal system, the court system, the legal profession and legal ethics, the Canadian Constitution, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, statutory interpretation, the role of the common law.
- Introduction to Psychology SOCI0036
Units/ Hours: 45
This course offers a systematic approach to exploring human behaviour. The concepts and empirical findings are examined using a variety of theoretical approaches. Major topics include perception, motivation, learning, memory, intelligence, and personality.
- Introduction to Sociology SOCI0123
Units/ Hours: 45
Through this course, learn the special meanings that Sociology, as a language, assigns to words and how they are organized into concepts and theories. We use these words, concepts and theories to see and make sense of our social world and to talk with others about it, develop the ability to understand our social interactions, the society we create and recreate and how it affects us. Your success will depend very much on your ability in English, ability to send and receive e-mail, use a web browser, engage in discussions in bulletin boards, and other standard operations using a computer.
- Introductory Computing COMP0345
Units/ Hours: 45
Working in the Windows environment, this computer course introduces you to computer basics (computer terminology, e-mail, file management) and the application and use of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software using Microsoft Office. Through the extensive use of hands-on activities, you will gain sufficient knowledge and experience to make productive use of computers as a tool in both college and workplace environments.
Semester 2
- Accounting in the Legal Environment ACCT0045
Units/ Hours: 45
This is an introductory course in accounting. The course explores the basics of accounting using an interactive and tactile approach. Accounting topics will consider transactions relating to personal, business and corporate accounts. Special emphasis will be given to trust accounts, cash control and bank reconciliations. Topics will be discussed within the context of the legal environment. The accounting will be supplemented with a simulation using P.C. Law Jr.
- Business and Contract Law in the Legal Profession LAWS0207
Units/ Hours: 45
Business people and consumers in Ontario are affected by a broad spectrum of federal, provincial and municipal laws and a variety of court-created legal principles. This course serves as an introduction to business and consumer law.
- Introduction to Litigation LAWS0045
Units/ Hours: 45
This course introduces the student to the litigation process. Emphasis is on both criminal and civil proceedings with an emphasis on minor criminal matters and tort cases. The student will learn how to assess a potential litigation matter and learn how to apply the principles taught in taking a litigation case from inception to completion.
- Issues in Diversity SOCI0038
Units/ Hours: 45
In this course students will critically identify and examine issues in diversity. Specifically, students will focus on topics pertaining to inequality in various social settings, including but not limited to: race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Incorporating social/legal explanations of diversity, students will develop a clear understanding of the impacted groups and possible strategies of community empowerment.
- Legal Research and Writing LAWS0053
Units/ Hours: 45
This course will provide a practical introduction to legal research, using case reports, statutes, regulations, and legal texts. Effective communication of research results will be developed through practice writing case briefs, statutory summaries, report letters, and legal memoranda.
- Property Law Concepts in Ontario LAWS0047
Units/ Hours: 30
A solid understanding of Property Law Concepts is integral as it forms the basis for many other areas of law. In this course, students will be introduced to the various forms of property ownership in Ontario and the legal restrictions on property rights. They will also study the most important pieces of legislation affecting real property in Ontario. This course is not designed to provide the student with skills related to title searching or property transfers.
- Word Processing in the Legal Environment COMP0099
Units/ Hours: 45
The fundamentals of MS Word, PC Law, will be applied to a variety of documents commonly used in a legal office environment. While the course focuses on an introduction to word processing concepts, legal documents such as legal correspondence and memorandum, court documents and other documentation will form the basis of the content. Students will also be provided with access and content information related to legal documentation web sites.
Semester 3
- Advocacy LAWS0179
Units/ Hours: 30
This course provides an introduction to the concepts of trial advocacy in the Canadian judicial system. Students will develop the basic skills and techniques necessary for the effective presentation of a client's case in the adversarial system of justice. There will be four presentation assignments, to provide a hands-on opportunity to practise and demonstrate an understanding of the skills and concepts of the course. The course will include an attendance at the County Court House to observe an actual trial.
- Alternate Dispute Resolution ORGB0011
Units/ Hours: 45
Alternative Dispute Resolution is increasingly becoming an integral part of our judicial system as an alternative to litigation. In this course, students will learn principles of mediation and arbitration both in a voluntary context and in situations where it is mandated by law. Students will study the objectives and practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution and the context in which they are most effective.
Pre-Requisites
- Evidence LAWS0029
Units/ Hours: 45
In this course, students will examine the use of evidence in court cases, including statutory and common-law limits on the use of various forms of information that could affect the decision-making process of Canadian courts and administrative tribunals. Students will examine the functions of investigators, advocates, judges, and juries in the presentation and processing of evidence.
- Field Placement Preparation FLPL0109
Units/ Hours: 15
This course is intended assist students with seeking and preparing for their field placement experience in fourth semester. Students will increase the knowledge, insight, and understanding of their options for placement within the legal environment. Emphasis will be given to cover letter, resume and portfolio preparation. The student will be also introduced to interview skills.
- Practice Management in the Legal Environment LAWS0126
Units/ Hours: 60
This course introduces the student to routines and procedures most often performed in the legal office setting. Emphasis will be given to opening/closing/preparing client files, file retention, legal record keeping, docketing, billing, and statements of accounts. There will be instruction in alphabetic, numeric, subject and geographic filing as well as file management both manually and electronically. The student is also introduced to telephone and reception techniques, handling incoming and outgoing mail including email and faxes. The student will have the opportunity to continue to use their written and oral communication skills while drafting, editing and processing communications typically found in the legal setting.
Semester 4
- Administrative Law LAWS0039
Units/ Hours: 45
Court and Tribunal Agents are permitted to represent clients before a number of income security tribunals. In this course, students will acquire a working knowledge of the legislation and the tribunals that regulate workplace safety and workers' compensation principles as well as income security programs such as the Canada Pension Plan and Social Benefits.
- Administrative Tribunal Practice and Procedure LAWS0200
Units/ Hours: 45
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. Ths students will be 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. The student will also be presented with information about specific tribunals where paralegals may represent a client, including the enabling legislation and rules of practice specific to those tribunals.
- Field Placement FLPL0026
Units/ Hours: 160
The fourth semester field placement experience enables Court & Tribunal Agent students to integrate and complement their classroom knowledge with a practical learning experience in a legal setting of their choice. Court & Tribunal Agent placement consists of 160 hours. It is viewed as an integral, core coponent of the program's curriculum.
Pre-Requisites
- Accounting in the Legal Environment (ACCT0045)
- Advocacy (LAWS0179)
- Alternate Dispute Resolution (ORGB0011)
- Business and Contract Law in the Legal Profession (LAWS0207)
- Criminal Law/Summary Conviction (LAWS0160)
- Evidence (LAWS0029)
- Field Placement Preparation (FLPL0109)
- Introduction to Litigation (LAWS0045)
- Introduction to Small Claims (LAWS0014)
- Landlord and Tenant Law (LAWS0050)
- Legal Research and Writing (LAWS0053)
- Practice Management in the Legal Environment (LAWS0126)
- Property Law Concepts in Ontario (LAWS0047)
- Word Processing in the Legal Environment (COMP0099)
- Introduction to Canadian Justice for Legal Professions (LAWS0245)
- Human Rights and Employment Law LAWS0036
Units/ Hours: 30
Ontario's employer-employee relationships are controlled, not only by contract principles, but by an array of specialized legislation and tribunal decision-making. Students in this course will acquire a working knowledge of the laws and tribunals which set employment standards, workplace safety and worker's compensation principles and the parameters of collective bargaining. Special emphasis will be placed on the impact of human rights legislation on the employment sphere.
- Professional Conduct: Authorized Practice & Ethics SOCI0051
Units/ Hours: 30
It is crucial for the protection of the public that a Paralegal understand their professional obligation to their clients. In this course students will explore professional conduct issues and areas of authorized practice, specifically addressing Ontario's changing legal environment and the current restrictions on the work that a Paralegal may perform. Particular emphasis will be placed on the legal and ethical obligations of the agent to the client within the context of a Paralegal's practice.
- Provincial Offences LAWS0112
Units/ Hours: 60
Paralegals are permitted by law to appear on behalf of clients in provincial offences court and in criminal court on summary conviction matters. In this course, students will be introduced to the legal issues related to provincial offences and summary conviction offences and the procedures by which they are resolved. Particular attention will be paid to the Provincial Offences Act, the Highway Traffic Act, and the relevant sections of the Criminal Code of Canada. Students will examine the elements and defences to charges under these pieces of legislation, as well as the procedure involved in both prosecuting and defending a charge.
- Small Business Strategies BUSN0047
Units/ Hours: 30
This course presents a fundamental approach to managing a paralegal practice in the Canadian business environment. It is designed to develop an understanding of planning the start-up of a business, the ongoing management and strategies for growth. Students develop an understanding of the legal forms of business ownership, the importance of financial analysis as a success indicator for the business and the appropriate marketing tactics for promoting small business. The student progresses to the development of an actual Business Plan. Emphasis will be on real world examples of paralegal start-ups with input from paralegals who have undertaken the process of starting up a paralegal practice.
- Small Claims Court Practice and Procedures LAWS0074
Units/ Hours: 45
Small Claims Court is part of the Superior Court of Justice that deals with monetary jurisdiction up to $25,000. In this course, students will explore the role of the Small Claims Court in the administration of justice on Ontario. Emphasis will be placed on the Rules of the Small Claims Court and the relevant sections of the Court of Justice Act. Students will learn the appropriate procedure used to present and defend claims and to enforce orders in the Small Claims Court. Students will also develop the skills necessary for trial preparation and presentation of an action.