Licensed and regulated by the Law Society of Ontario
In Ontario, paralegals must be licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) and follow its rules. That oversight is there to protect you.
What licensing means for you
Qualified
Licensees complete an accredited paralegal program, pass the Law Society's licensing examination and meet its good-character requirements.
Insured
Licensed paralegals in Ontario are required to carry professional liability insurance, arranged through LAWPRO.
Held to rules of conduct
The Paralegal Rules of Conduct set standards for competence, honesty, confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
Accountable for your money
The Law Society's by-laws set rules for handling client funds and keeping financial records.
Overseen by a regulator
The Law Society can investigate complaints and discipline licensees, which gives you somewhere to turn if something goes wrong.
What licensed paralegals can do
In general terms. The exact limits are set by the Law Society.
Some matters, such as serious criminal charges or lawsuits above the Small Claims limit, need a lawyer. If yours does, we tell you at the start.
Check for yourself
Mo. Farooqui is a Licensed Paralegal (Law Society of Ontario licence P21785) practising through NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation.
You can confirm any lawyer's or paralegal's licence in the Law Society's public Lawyer and Paralegal Directory at lso.ca. We encourage you to check anyone you plan to hire.
Common questions
How can I check that a paralegal is licensed?
Search the Lawyer and Paralegal Directory on the Law Society of Ontario's website (lso.ca). It shows whether someone is licensed.
What is the difference between a paralegal and a lawyer?
Lawyers can practise in all areas of law. Paralegals are licensed for a defined scope, such as Small Claims Court, many tribunals and provincial offences. Within that scope a paralegal is often a more affordable choice.
What if I am unhappy with the service?
Please tell us first so we can put it right. You can also contact the Law Society of Ontario, which handles complaints about paralegals.
Can you help with a matter that needs a lawyer?
We will tell you honestly if your matter is outside a paralegal's scope and point you to the right professional.
Talk to a licensed paralegal
Tell us what’s going on. We’ll tell you whether we can help and what it would cost, with no obligation.
Free consultation
Confidential and no obligation.
PIPEDA-compliant