News Release

Paralegal Regulation Protecting Ontario Consumers

McGuinty Government Actions Strengthen Access To Justice

March 30, 2009

News

A fully regulated paralegal system protects consumers and gives Ontarians a choice of qualified legal services.

A two-year follow-up report, prepared by the Law Society of Upper Canada and released today, found that all the necessary steps for regulating paralegals have been followed and implemented.

Through the Access to Justice Act, 2006, the government designated the Law Society of Upper Canada as the body to oversee the regulation of paralegals as part of its role in regulating all legal services in Ontario.

Previously, paralegals could provide services without receiving training, carrying liability insurance or reporting to a public body that could investigate complaints against them.

Quotes

"Ontarians are better served by licensed and regulated paralegals.  I want to thank the Law Society of Upper Canada and its Paralegal Standing Committee for their work."
- Chris Bentley, Attorney General of Ontario

Quick Facts

• Ontario is the only jurisdiction in North America that regulates paralegals. 
• To date, over 2,300 licences have been issued to paralegals by the Law Society of Upper Canada.
• The Law Society of Upper Canada has governed the practice of law in the public interest for over 200 years. It regulates the largest Bar in Canada, with over 34,000 members and began regulating paralegals in 2006 after passage of the Access to Justice Act.

Learn More

Read what people are saying about paralegal regulation.

Read about the Access to Justice Act, 2006. 

Learn more about paralegal regulation. 

Contacts

Sheamus Murphy
Minister's Office, 416-326-1785

Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch, 416-326-2210

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