Durham College Court and Tribunal Agent/Paralegal programs receive accreditation

October 17, 2008

Current and future students of Durham College’s Court and Tribunal Agent/Paralegal program and Court and Tribunal Agent graduate certificate program will have additional opportunities upon graduation now that the college has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC).

This prestigious accreditation gives graduates the opportunity to take an exam in order to become a licensed paralegal with the society. Durham College is just the sixth college in Canada to receive accreditation from the oldest and largest of all the country’s law organizations.

“With this accreditation, Durham College offers students a competitive advantage in studying towards entering this profession,” said Stephanie Ball, dean of the School of Justice & Emergency Services. “The LSUC advertises only accredited programs on its website, so potential students looking to obtain information understand the importance of this designation and can choose accordingly. This is a strong endorsement of our programs and supports the professionalization of the paralegal field.”

In order to receive accreditation, the college had to submit resumes from each member of the programs’ teaching faculty. The application was delivered in June and accreditation was received in July, confirming that graduates of the programs will have met the competencies required by the society. The programs were also required to include, at a minimum, certain fundamental courses that cover the essential elements of procedural and substantive practice as well as ethical and responsible practice.

As a result of this designation, these programs will be subject to audits by the LSUC every five years, beginning within the first three years of accreditation.

The accreditation has significant benefits for the college’s one-year Court and Tribunal Agent graduate certificate program, the only one of its kind in Ontario. Individuals who already hold a related law degree, diploma or three to five years of related work experience are able to enter the program and complete the paralegal licensing exam following graduation.

The Court and Tribunal Agent/Paralegal two-year diploma program and the graduate certificate program are designed to provide students with the specialized knowledge and skills required to work as paralegals, also known as court and tribunal agents. Paralegals and court and tribunal agents can represent individuals at administrative tribunals, small claims court and in provincial court for provincial offences and summary conviction matters.

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.