4211 Paralegal and related occupations

 

Category: Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

Major Group 42 : Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services

 

 

Paralegals prepare legal documents and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the scope of their practice. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed.

Example Titles

commercial law clerk
corporate paralegal
family law paralegal
independent paralegal
land titles examiner
legal researcher
notary public
paralegal
real estate law clerk
title searcher
trademark agent

View all titles

Main duties

Paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:

• Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials

• Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions

• Prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits

• Research records, court files and other legal documents

• Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties.

Independent paralegals perform some or all of the following duties:

• Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies

• Advise clients and take legal action on landlord and tenant matters, traffic violations, name changes and other issues within their jurisdictions.

Notaries public perform some or all of the following duties:

• Administer oaths and take affidavits and depositions

• Witness and certify the validity of signatures on documents

• May draft contracts, prepare promissory notes and draw up wills, mortgages and other legal documents

• May arrange probates and administer the estates of deceased persons.

Trademark agents perform some or all of the following duties:

• Advise clients on intellectual property matters and represent clients before the Registrar of Trade-Marks on matters including prosecution of applications for registration of trademarks

• Advise on the registrability of trademarks, trademark licensing requirements, transfer of intellectual property and protection of existing trademark rights

• Represent clients at proceedings before the Trade Marks Opposition Board and in related proceedings

• May represent clients internationally in consultation with foreign associates and attorneys.

 

Employment requirements

• Paralegals in law firms require a bachelor’s degree in law or a law college diploma and in-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment.

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

• Notaries public are appointed after examination and certification of their qualifications by the governing judiciary in their province or territory. All appointments have specific limitations on the activities they can perform and for specific periods of time.

• Notaries public require a provincial licence. In British Columbia, membership in the Society of Notaries Public is also required.

• To be licensed, trademark agents are required to work in the area of trademark law, including the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications for registration, for two years
  and
  To successfully complete the examination conducted jointly by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and the Registrar of Trade-Marks, Canadian Intellectual Property Office
  or
  Either one of the above and to be a lawyer entitled to practise in Canada.

• Trademark agents require registration with the federal Trade-Mark Office.

Additional information

• Notaries public usually receive in-house training and perform their duties in rural or remote areas or in the business offices in which they are employed.

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