Frequently Asked Questions

In Ontario, when you come across a legal issue, you can choose between a lawyer or paralegal to provide legal advice to you and represent you. Since the regulation of paralegals in 2007 by the Law Society of Upper Canada, paralegals are qualified to help you in such areas as Small Claims Court, Criminal Defence, AB Personal Injury Claims, Landlord and Tenant Board, Provincial Offences and other tribunals. Less than the cost of a lawyer, paralegals make a great cost effective alternative to legal representation to those who would prefer the help of a qualified and licensed professional when dealing with these types of legal matters. Paralegals in Ontario are educated, licensed and insured. Paralegals can be more practical and affordable choices for many cases, whereas lawyers may be more practical for other cases.

Lawyers and paralegals are both licensed by the law society of Ontario after passing specific examinations, and are both professionally insured and regulated. Lawyers are typically educated for a period of three years, whereas paralegals are educated for two. Lawyers study all aspects of the law, while paralegals only study the areas of the law in which they are allowed to provide legal services in. In Ontario, paralegals can practice, among other areas, within the small claims court for civil matters under $35,000, Criminal Defence for summary conviction matters, quasi-criminal offences such as provincial offences and traffic tickets, within the 12 administrative tribunals in Ontario (such as the Landlord Tenant Board, WSIB, Human Rights Tribunal etc), and personal injury motor vehicle accident claims under the SABS. While hiring a lawyer is more suitable for matters such as claims over $35,000, indictable criminal offences, wills and estates matters, or real estate closings, hiring a paralegal for matters within their scope can save you a lot of money and deliver equally as competent representation and ultimately equally as positive results. In fact, for some areas of law, such as traffic tickets or landlord-tenant matters, paralegals are more common as representatives, and tend to have more experience in these areas as opposed to lawyers.

We do not accept legal aid. However, we do have a free 15-minute consultation for individuals who want to explore their legal options without making any commitments.

We maintain an hourly rate that is both affordable and reasonable for the value of our legal expertise. This rate is $175 per hour. For simpler matters, such as traffic tickets, we offer flat rates at a discount from our regular hourly rates. For most personal injury cases, and some small claims court cases, we offer a contingency model for fees. This means that you only pay when you win, without any upfront payment. For upfront payments, we offer payment plans at our own discretion if it is needed by the client. We also offer a free initial 15 minute consultation. See the "Fees" page under "Resources" tab for more information.

Small Claims Litigation: Small Claims Court deals with civil disputes involving relatively small amounts of money, offering a simplified and expedited process for resolving conflicts without the need for a lawyer. Landlord-Tenant Board: The Landlord and Tenant Board oversees disputes between landlords and tenants, including matters related to rent, evictions, maintenance, and other issues arising from residential tenancies in Ontario. Criminal Summary Matters: We provide legal representation for individuals charged with criminal offenses proceeding summarily. Most commonly, we defend charges related to theft, mischief, serious driving offences and assault. Traffic Tickets & Driving Offences: This practice area involves legal assistance for individuals facing traffic violations and driving-related charges, aiming to mitigate penalties or defend against accusations in court. Personal Injury: We assist individuals who have been physically or psychologically injured due to negligence or intentional harm, helping them pursue compensation for their damages through civil claims. Workers Compensation: We fight for compensation for workers in Ontario who have been injured on the job. Provincial Offences: Provincial offenses encompass a wide range of non-criminal violations of provincial laws and regulations, such as traffic infractions, bylaw violations, and environmental offenses, adjudicated in Provincial Offences Court. Disability Claims: ODSP/CPP: This area focuses on helping individuals navigate the complex processes of applying for and appealing decisions related to disability benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Immigration Refugee Board: The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is a tribunal in Ontario responsible for making decisions on immigration and refugee matters, including asylum claims and deportation orders. Human Rights Tribunal: The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario handles cases related to discrimination and harassment based on various grounds such as race, gender, disability, or religion, enforcing the Ontario Human Rights Code. Judgment Enforcements: Judgment enforcement involves the legal procedures for collecting debts or enforcing court judgments, ensuring that individuals or entities comply with court orders or payment obligations. Notary & Commissioner: Notaries and commissioners provide official verification and certification of documents, including witnessing signatures and administering oaths, to ensure their legality and authenticity.

Currently, we can provide legal services in English, Spanish, Punjabi, Urdu, and Hindi.

A client is considered to be retained by a paralegal when the client has expressed an intent to hire the paralegal for their legal services and the paralegal has accepted the client’s offer. This is typically done through a formal written retainer agreement between the paralegal and the client.

If you have a wills and estates case, indictable criminal offence, a civil claim over $35,000, or a family law case, we have a wide network of experienced and competent lawyers that we can refer you to. We will take down your information and make sure we match you with one of our affiliate lawyers as efficiently as possible.