Paralegals can help you with a variety of legal options. They are licensed to independently represent people in small claims court, traffic court, some criminal matters and more.
1. Small Claims Court
Paralegals in Ontario are authorized to represent clients in Small Claims Court for claims up to $35,000. This includes small business and personal claims.
2. Provincial Offences – Traffic tickets
Paralegals can represent clients in fighting traffic tickets and other provincial offences.
3. Landlord and Tenant Board of Ontario
Paralegals can represent landlords or tenants in disputes involving residential tenancies, including eviction proceedings, non-payment of rent, and other termination of tenancies including the sale of a residence.
4. Immigration and Refugee Board
Paralegals can assist clients in completing immigration forms, and applications and represent clients in certain immigration matters before administrative tribunals.
5. Other Administrative Tribunals
Including the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Ontario Financial Services Commission, Ontario Municipal Board, Ontario Securities Commission, Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, Ontario Energy Board, Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario, Ontario Labour Relations Board, Ontario Parole Board, Consent and Capacity Board, Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Ontario Review Board, Child and Family Services Review Board, Social Benefits Tribunal and Ontario Pay Equity Board and Environmental Review Tribunal.
6. Provincial Offences Matters
Paralegals can provide representation and advice in matters related to the Provincial Offences Act, including traffic tickets, liquor licensing, workplace safety violations, and some criminal matters.
7. Notary Public & Commissioner of Oath
Paralegals provide services as a Commissioner of Oath, and some have obtained the additional credential to provide services as a Notary Public. Some of these services include witness of oaths, signing affidavits, certifying documents to be true copies of the original and serving as a third-party witness to the signing of a document after verifying the individual signature(s). Examples of some of the popular documents include:
- Visitor Visa invitation letters
- Travel consent
- Affidavit of Name Change
- Statutory Declarations including in lieu of Guarantor, CRPO Applications, Separation of legal or common law spouses, RIN’s
- Affidavits of Divorce, Affidavit of Service
- Wills and Powers of Attorney
- Pension applications
- Driver Vehicle transfer of ownership