In Ontario, paralegals are regulated by the Law Society of Ontario — the same body that governs lawyers. We carry professional liability insurance. We can be complained against. Our licences can be suspended or revoked. The accountability structure is the same. What differs is scope and cost.
What paralegals are licensed to do
Ontario paralegals are licensed to represent clients in specific areas:
- Landlord and Tenant Board — all proceedings, from N4 hearings to above-guideline increases to harassment applications
- Small Claims Court — up to $50,000, including trials and enforcement
- Provincial Offences Court — traffic tickets, HTA charges, by-law matters, careless driving, CVOR proceedings
- Notary public services — certifying documents, administering oaths, statutory declarations
- Certain administrative tribunals — Human Rights Tribunal, some WSIB matters
For these matters specifically, paralegals are not a cheaper substitute for a lawyer. They are often the better specialist.
Three reasons to choose a paralegal for these matters
1. Cost
Ontario lawyers billing for litigation typically charge between $250 and $600 per hour, and a full LTB hearing or Small Claims trial can run 4 to 10 billable hours before you even count preparation time. Paralegal fees for the same matter are typically a fraction of that — and most LTB and Small Claims work can be quoted at a fixed fee rather than hourly, so you know the cost in advance.
In Small Claims specifically, the court can award a representation fee of up to 15% of your claim if you win — which means the cost of professional representation is partially offset by the judgment itself.
2. Specialization
A paralegal who does LTB hearings every week has a practical depth in that tribunal that most general-practice lawyers do not have. They know the adjudicators' tendencies, the procedural shortcuts, the arguments that land and the ones that don't. They have seen every form error, every tenant defence, and every landlord mistake.
The same applies to traffic court. The early resolution process in Ontario's provincial offences courts is largely informal — and knowing the prosecutor, the room, and the patterns on a specific court day is worth something real.
3. Accessibility
Most paralegals offer free initial consultations. Many small legal matters do not require extensive preparation — one conversation can tell you whether you have a case, what it will cost, and what the realistic outcome range looks like. Getting that clarity costs you nothing with a paralegal. With a lawyer, the consultation itself is often a billable hour.
When you need a lawyer instead
Paralegals have a defined scope — and if your matter falls outside it, we will tell you and point you to the right resource. Situations that require a lawyer:
- Criminal defence (except minor provincial offences tried in provincial court)
- Family law matters — divorce, custody, child or spousal support
- Superior Court of Ontario litigation (above Small Claims Court)
- Real estate transactions (title searches, closing)
- Immigration applications and hearings
- Wills, estates, and probate
If you're not sure which category your situation falls into, call us — we can tell you in five minutes whether we can help, and if we can't, we'll tell you who can.
How to choose any paralegal (including us)
Ask these questions before you hire anyone:
- Do you appear at the LTB (or Small Claims, or provincial offences court) regularly — not just occasionally?
- Can you give me a fixed fee rather than an hourly estimate?
- What is your licence number? (Verify at lso.ca.)
- Have you handled cases with facts similar to mine?
A paralegal who does this work every day should be able to answer all four questions without hesitation.
Act Now Legal Services is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario (P21639) and serves clients in Barrie and across Simcoe County. The first consultation is free.