法律辅助人员（Paralegal） 及相关职业

Paralegals

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

Under the supervision of a lawyer, 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

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.

Justices of the peace

Issue subpoenas, summonses and warrants, including search warrants

Receive affidavits, declarations and affirmations

Administer oaths

Conduct bail hearings

Release defendants on judges' orders and explain rights and obligations

Hear evidence at trials on summary conviction offences and may preside over trials of criminal offences at the discretion of the chief judge of the jurisdiction or as provided for in federal, provincial, or territorial statutes

Perform civil marriages

Register wills, probate, bankruptcy, etc.

Notaries public

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

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.

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.

Paralegals require a licence to perform advanced legal services.

Justices of the peace requirements can vary from a background in law and the justice system, completion of a justice registrar, justice of the peace or other court training program depending on their duties and responsibilities.

Justices of the peace in the provinces are appointed by the lieutenant governor in council and, in the territories, by federally appointed territorial commissioners.

Notaries public usually require a university degree in law or a related field.

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.

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.

The duties and responsibilities of justices of the peace vary significantly depending on the level of their authority. They may be employed part-time on a fee-for-service basis in small communities. Their duties range from performing civil marriages, receiving affidavits and similar documents, to presiding in courts and hearings and determining prosecutions under provincial/territorial and federal laws.

law clerk

prothonotary

Articling law student (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)

Legal administrative assistants (See 13111 Legal administrative assistants)

Patent agent (See 41400 Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers)

Quebec notary (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)

Trademark lawyer (See 41101 Lawyers and Quebec notaries)