The Legal Skills program helps individuals develop foundational administrative capabilities in a legal office setting, including legal terminology, office procedures and basic law-office documentation.
In this program students will learn the basic administrative functions in a legal office. Students will gain an understanding of terms, forms, processes and key practices used in the legal environment. This program is designed for those who have general office experience but are new to the legal field and to enhance the Office Administration program.
Please review the Courses, Admissions Requirements and Getting Started tabs for more information on this program.
Getting Started
Learn how to begin your educational journey by visiting our Getting Started page.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or equivalent) with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (U/C), or Open (O) preparation levels with Grade 12 English (E/C/U) Level.
or successful completion of the Mature Student Assessment.
or successful completion of the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) or General Education Development Test (GED), prior to May 2024.
or appropriate credits from the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) program - LBS level 5 Communications and LBS level 4 Mathematics.
This intake is not available for international students.
Courses
1 intake
Note
The curriculum is currently being reviewed and will be updated with changes for anyone apply to the program.
Starts in Any Time. Program code 5032.
Semester 1
OL 130
Legal Terminology
42 hours
Students will build a vocabulary of common legal terminology used within a law office, government agency, court systems, social services and current affairs through practice, study guide and quizzes.
The day-to-day operations of a legal environment follow clearly defined steps, guidelines, and regulations. A successful administrator keeps these requirements in mind while approaching complex tasks. Students in this course demonstrate critical thinking skills in applying problem-solving models to typical office tasks, while also identifying ways to integrate available office technologies into these models where appropriate. Students explore an administrator's role in producing a variety of documentation according to established protocols and procedures. This course also continues to explore the expectations surrounding professionals in the role of legal administrator, including a commitment to information privacy, personal accountability in their roles including following instructions and creating documents based on the instructions, the importance of accuracy, and cultivating strong interpersonal relationships with both coworkers and clients.
Litigation/Small Claims/Family/Criminal Law Procedures
42 hours
This course examines the role of a legal administrator in relation to litigation, small claims, family, and criminal law proceedings in support of the legal team. Students identify the components of forms used in each field, including, but not limited to, statements, affidavits, notices, and motions, from both the plaintiff and defendant’s perspectives. Emphasis is placed on legislation and courts including the Family Law Act, the Rules of Civil Procedure, and Superior Court of Ontario procedure. Students are also expected to determine the appropriate uses of client information based on techniques learned in the course and knowledge gained about the fields.
This course examines the role of a legal administrator in relation to corporate law proceedings in support of the legal team. Students identify the components of forms used in each field, including, but not limited to, annual filings, articles of incorporation, and corporate changes. Emphasis is placed on corporate regulation measures at the Ontario and Federal levels. Students are also expected to determine the appropriate uses of client information based on techniques learned in the course and knowledge gained about the fields. Computer Software Requirements: Word Processor
This course is designed to enable students to understand the steps and procedures of a residential real estate transaction and the purpose of each stage. Real Estate Law terminology, a study of the land systems in Ontario, and documents used both paper and electronic are examined. Computer Software Requirements: Teraview Web and Conveyancer Software. You will be provided access to Teraview by the course facilitator at the beginning of the course.
Graduates of this program will have a basic foundation to prepare them for standard procedures that are required for the smooth operation of a legal office.
Pathways
Confederation College offers a variety of articulation agreements designed to help you advance your education and career. Whether you're coming to us from another institution or planning your next steps after completing your program, our pathways make your transition seamless and effective.
Student Accessibility and Essential Program Requirements
Confederation College is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive learning environment and will provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and College policy.
Students who require accommodations are encouraged to engage with Student Accessibility Services and are responsible for initiating and participating in the accommodation process. Accommodation is a collaborative process involving the student, Student Accessibility Services, faculty, and the Academic School. Requests for accommodation are considered on an individual basis, and the College will work with students to identify reasonable accommodations that provide equitable access to learning while maintaining the integrity of the program.
Students are expected to demonstrate the essential knowledge, skills, professional behaviours, learning outcomes, and competencies required to successfully complete their program. While the manner in which these requirements are demonstrated may be accommodated where appropriate, the essential requirements themselves must still be achieved.
For programs involving laboratories, field work, clinical placements, aviation environments, trades training, equipment operation, simulations, community placements, or other environments where health and safety are critical, accommodations must also be consistent with applicable legislation, professional standards, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and workplace safety obligations.
In some circumstances, a requested accommodation may not be reasonable or possible where it would:
Fundamentally alter an essential program requirement, competency, or learning outcome.
Compromise the health or safety of the student or others.
Conflict with provincial or federal legislation.
Conflict with the requirements of an external regulatory, licensing, accreditation, or professional body.
Prevent the student from demonstrating competencies required for safe and effective professional practice.
Note
Where a particular accommodation cannot be provided, the College will work collaboratively with the student to identify whether an alternative accommodation can appropriately address the student’s disability-related needs while maintaining essential program requirements.
