Paralegal Diploma Program

Program Overview

The legal profession as a paralegal is in high demand in today’s world. Paralegals are highly sought after by law firms and global corporations alike. This program is suitable for those who are looking for an exciting career in the legal field. This program is intensive and it covers both the office administrative skills and the knowledge base required to work in the legal profession. Paralegals play an important role in the law office and corporate environment and this program equipped the graduates with the training necessary to be successful in this role.

Admission Pre-Requisites

  • High school graduation or equivalent (with English as the main medium of instructions)

OR
  • IELTS 6.0 & Above

OR
  • Mature Student Status

*International Students are required to pass the college’s English admission test, or have a minimum of IELTS 6.0 & above

All applicants will be required to pass the college’s English admission test.

Program Duration

  • Total Program Hours - 1,440 hours
  • Total Program Length - 72 weeks

Graduation Requirements

Successful completion of all courses with a 70% overall average in all subjects.

Program Objectives

This program provides students with training in office skills such as keyboarding, general administration, business communication, customer service and using computer programs (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook). Legal subject areas include the understanding of the fundamental Canada legal system, the court structure, legal rights, court procedures, practices in legal office, wills and estates, real estate and conveyance, corporate and commercial law, civil litigation, family law, criminal law and evidence, business law, torts, contracts, insurance law, credit and collection, legal research, client interviewing and intellectual property law.
This program will also provide the students with the fundamental knowledge of Business English and Business writing.

Career Opportunities

This program prepares graduates with opportunity to work in a law firm, immigration firm, legal departments of business corporations or with government agencies. Other areas of employment opportunity include real estate agency, financial institution, and private offices.

Program Courses

Student will gain a better understanding in the study of law and gain an exploration of their unique individual personal attributes, experiences, and learning styles. This course will guide them on the preparation for the study of law through time management and stress management, and develop their interpersonal communication skills. The students will learn the resources of information needed for their study in law and preparing them to excel in their program of choice.
This course introduces the Microsoft Office productivity applications use in most legal offices and business corporations. Students will learn the basic application in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Windows office programs. It covers file and folder organization, drafting business documents, creating presentations, reporting data in spreadsheets, and conversion of document formats. This course relies heavily on practical hands-on activities that allow you to learn the concepts on a regular basis.
This course introduces the Microsoft Outlook and explores its information management system use in a law firm and business corporation. Student will learn about the application interface, tools and features. The course will cover the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling and calendars, contact lists, creating and forwarding messages etc. This course relies heavily on practical hands- on activities that allow you to learn the concepts on a regular basis.
This course introduces the keyboarding skills required in today’s business world. This will prepare students by reinforcing their English language skills, develop their ability to key and compose information, and learn the techniques and skills to input information correctly. The course will guide student to develop both speed and accuracy, and also improving their proofreading techniques and word processing techniques in a windows environment. Students are expected to achieve a speed of 50 words per minute.
This course focuses on writing techniques and business communication. It helps students to enhance their writing skills through using proper grammar and styles in their communication. Students will learn to compose documents for most business correspondence, including formal and informal letters.
This course will provide students with the overview on the formation of business partnerships and general concepts on incorporations. Students will learn about the principles of contract law and how these will apply in the real world context. Various types of contract will be discussed.
This course introduced students to basic principles and scopes of criminal law. Students will review the Criminal Code of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Students will learn to define the basic elements that constitute an offence, and also on the procedures at the start of the arrest leading up to the trial, sentencing, and appeal. Jurisdiction issues, Jury election and evidence are presented for clearer understanding of the whole process. Student will learn about interviewing techniques, investigation procedures, examination techniques (direct & cross), evidentiary statement, and the opening and maintenance of a criminal file of a client.
Students are introduced to the steps to incorporation and organization of a British Columbia company. Students will review the Business Corporation Act, the Society Act, and the Canada Corporations Act. Student will use legal precedents to prepare articles of incorporation, incorporation agreement and corporate by- laws. Students will review the requirements of corporate meetings, minutes, resolutions and the duties of directors and officers.
Student will also learn about the corporation filing process, set up and maintain of corporate records, corporate securities, changes to a corporation, and also the differences between reporting and non- reporting companies. Students will gain experience in the process of creating a business sale and purchase agreements, transfer of shares, and financing including commercial leasing, and commercial real and personal property.
This course introduced students to the substantive law of real estate. Students will learn the basic conveyancing procedures, the disclosure statement, documents related to transfer/deed, charge/mortgage, and discharge of charge/mortgage, and the duties and responsibilities of a real estate broker. Students will gain knowledge on the process of closing on a real estate transaction. This course will also discuss on the nature of mortgages, the equitable interests, principles of interest, insurance issues and payout strategies. Student will gain knowledge on the land title system, Personal Property Securities Act and the validity of security agreements, rights of parties, and theory, concepts, procedures and forms. Students will understand the role of the conveyancing assistant.
This course covers the laws of negligence and various types of torts including false imprisonment, assault, battery defamation, nuisance, and recovery of pure economic loss.
This course looks at planning, preparation, executions and follow- up of an interview. Students will learn how to find jobs, understanding the employer needs and expectations, focusing on the right job, building self-confidence and self-esteem, effective resume preparation, how to do well in an interview, and how to handle objections.
Understanding the foundation of Canadian legal system is the first step in the study of law. This course will provide an overview of Canadian legal system, legal institutions, and the structure of the court system within the federal and provincial contexts. Students will learn about the history of Canadian law, including an analysis of the development of the Canadian constitution. In addition, students will learn about the Legal Professional Act within the jurisdiction of the province, and how this affects the roles and responsibilities of members of the legal professions. To prepare students for the program, students will learn the fundamentals in the interpretation of statues, the comprehension of legal terms and the application of laws. Students will hone their skills in legal reasoning.
Student will learn the day-to-day organization, management and procedures in a legal office. New development in office technology will be discussed and presented as to its functionality and purpose. Students will learn to draft standard legal documents such as court documents, government application forms, agreements, letters and memos. Students will learn about skills in critical thinking, problem solving, prioritization, time management, multi-tasking, filing of documents, and the effective use of communication systems. The importance of Trust accounting concepts will also be introduced.
Students are introduced on the topic of research and analysis concepts in the application of law. Sources of law and related information are covered in this course. Students will learn how to cite the correct sources on laws, case laws, statues, regulations, rules, and other form of legislations. Students will read and summarize case briefs, law reports, law reviews and other legal documents. Research using internet and materials will be covered. Students will also learn how laws are made the process of its passages through Parliament.
This course introduced students to the family court system in British Columbia. Students will familiarize themselves with Provincial and Supreme Court documentation and procedures on marriage, separation, divorce, custody/access, child welfare (child support guidelines), adoption, maintenance, and property division to resolution. Students will learn to prepare and complete a divorce file.
In this course, students learn about wills and estates planning, estate succession, testacy, intestacy, the complexity of a valid will and execution procedures. The course will also cover the roles and responsibility of the Executor and Trustee, and also on court procedures on the application for the Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration.
This course introduced students to the Canadian insurance law. It will cover the structure of the industry, insurable interests, valuation, subrogation, contribution and indemnity, duty to disclose, form and formation of an insurance contract, the claim process. Student will learn about personal injury and the relevant law and procedures required to manage a personal injury file.
This course focuses on civil litigation. Student will learn the steps to open and maintain a client file, the court process and procedures, understand the different types of damages and claims, the small claim process and procedures, preparation of files for trial, mediation and settlement process, enforcement of judgments and the use of precedents in litigation. Student will learn to draft a motion of notice and affidavit.
Students will learn about the common law, legislation and international treaties and conventions dealing with intellectual property. Students are introduced to the overall concepts, industrial management practice, and enforcement of intellectual property rights in the national and international context.
This course focuses on the laws and procedures of debtor’s and creditor’s rights. Student will learn about builder’s liens, applicable statue law and provincial legislation. Students will be guided on the procedural rules to commence a simple debt action, file a debt action and file a writ of enforcement. Students will also learn about the process for garnishing wages and bank accounts. Students will review the procedures in both Provincial and Supreme Court.
Students will learn about the applicable legislative and regulatory requirements that apply to the various applications, forms, and processes involved in an immigration practice. Students will learn and gain knowledge in the various immigration categories of Canada immigration. Students will identify the forms needed for any given immigration areas and would be able to fill the form accordingly.
In this course, students will learn how to use the right social media platform(s) and how best to utilize the features offered by each platform to enable them to help the law firm or business corporations to reach their target audience and achieve the desired goals. Various platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube etc., wuill be discussed and explored on the history, user’s experience, business experience, advertising, targeted campaign and analytics.

Fees Structure

Item Domestic International
Tuition $21,000.00 $23,890.00
Application Fee $100.00 $150.00
Textbooks $490.00 $490.00
Materials $490.00 $490.00
Other (Other Fees Description: Computer use) $50.00 $50.00
Testing/Assessment $75.00 $100.00

Certificate