Why Hire a Paralegal in Ontario?
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The Law Society of Ontario (LSO)
Our Law Society Predates Canada’s Confederation
The Law Society of Ontario has a unique and longstanding role in shaping the legal profession. Established in 1797, it predates Canada’s Confederation and was originally known as The Law Society of Upper Canada. This historic name remained in place for more than two centuries. In 2018, the name was officially changed by statute to the Law Society of Ontario, reflecting both modern terminology and the province it serves.
Today, the LSO oversees approximately 61,000 lawyers and 11,000 licensed paralegals across Ontario, ensuring that legal services are provided ethically, competently, and in the public interest.
A Major Milestone: Licensing Paralegals in Ontario (2007)
In 2007, Ontario became the first jurisdiction in North America to formally regulate and license paralegals. This milestone significantly expanded access to justice by enabling paralegals to provide affordable, regulated legal services in areas such as Small Claims Court, Landlord and Tenant Board matters, Human Rights Tribunal cases, and provincial offence/traffic ticket defence.
It is also helpful for the public to understand that paralegals who indicate they have been practising for more than 20 years were active before regulation came into effect. These individuals were integrated into the licensing framework through a grandfathering process, which did not require them to complete the standardized education, training programs, or licensing examinations now mandatory for all new licensees. Since 2007, every new paralegal must meet consistent competency, educational, and licensing standards set by the LSO, ensuring uniform accountability and professional training across the profession.
The LSO’s Role in Ontario
The LSO serves as the regulatory authority for both lawyers and paralegals in the province. Its mandate is to protect the public by enforcing professional standards and ensuring legal practitioners deliver services competently, ethically, and in a manner that supports meaningful access to justice.
What Is “Access to Justice”?
Access to justice refers to the ability of individuals to pursue or defend their legal rights through processes that are fair, affordable, and efficient. In Canada, this principle is essential—without it, people cannot properly enforce their rights, and the rule of law becomes weakened.
The Supreme Court of Canada emphasized the seriousness of this issue in Hryniak v. Mauldin, 2014 SCC 7. The Court acknowledged that traditional trials have become increasingly slow, costly, and inaccessible, causing many Canadians to struggle when seeking a legal remedy. This lack of access can result in cases going unheard, improper findings of fact, and misapplication of the law.
Why Access to Justice Matters
A justice system only works when the public can see that it is designed to uncover the truth, apply the law fairly, and resolve disputes efficiently. When individuals cannot afford legal assistance or face years-long delays, legitimate claims may never be heard, and unfair outcomes become more likely.
To address these challenges, courts and policymakers across Canada have been expanding streamlined and summary procedures to reduce unnecessary steps, increase efficiency, and make legal services more affordable for the public.
Resources for Learning More About Access to Justice