Paralegal Diploma

The UFV Paralegal diploma program delivers employment-focused education and professional training to prepare you to work immediately as an entry-level paralegal in the province of BC, and to acquire membership with the B.C. Paralegal Association. ​

In British Columbia, paralegals have excellent employment prospects. Paralegals can work in law firms, government offices, compliance departments in public or private corporations, legal aid clinics, banks, search houses, marketing agencies, recruitment agencies, consulting firms, educational institutions, research firms, or in companies that support the legal profession. Many paralegals opt to be self-employed and work for lawyers on a contract basis. Some paralegals choose to become a notary public or a trademark agent, as these related professions are complementary.

In June 2012, the BC Law Society adopted rules to allow designated paralegals to give legal advice and appear in court, opening new areas of practice for professionals in the field. Consequently, demand for these legal professionals continues to be high, as they deliver cost-effective legal services to a variety of clients. In fact, the Government of Canada's Job Bank predicts that, over the period 2015–2024, there will be a shortage of paralegals to fill new job openings.

View entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Students are also required to complete a keyboarding assessment before you start your classes.

Skills and knowledge

Students enrolled in the Paralegal program will:

• Study the basic foundation and structure of the Canadian legal system.
• Become familiar with litigation and legal research processes.
• Develop skills in computer programs as they apply to the practice of law.
• Learn fundamental knowledge about the formation of contracts, breach of contracts, and remedies for the breach of contracts.
• Become familiar with the terminology, policies, and procedures applied to estate planning, wills, trusts, estate taxes, estate sales, and joint tenancy.
• Study family including divorce, separation, custody, adoption, guardianship, and community property.
• Study criminal law including common law, statutory crimes and punishment, crime classification, principles of liability, and basic criminal procedure concepts.

Courses

PRLG 100 - Introduction to Law
PRLG 105 - Legal Office Procedures
PRLG 110 - Information Technology and the Legal System
PRLG 115 - Evidence
CMNS125 - Introduction to Workplace Communication
PRLG 120 - Family Law
PRLG 125 - Criminal Law and Procedures I
PRLG 130 - Intellectual Property Law
PRLG 135 - Wills and the Probate Administration Process
PRLG 140 - Property Law
PRLG 145 - Criminal Law and Procedures II
PRLG 150 - Contracts I
PRLG 155 - Corporate and Commercial Law
PRLG 200 - Litigation I
PRLG 205 - Insurance Law
PRLG 210 - Torts I
PRLG 215 - Administrative Law
PRLG 220 - Contracts II
PRLG 225 - Litigation and Its Alternatives
PRLG 230 - Legal Research and Writing I
PRLG 235 - Torts II
PRLG 240 - Legal Research and Writing II
PRLG 250 - Paralegal Practicum

For full course descriptions, see the UFV Calendar.

Evaluation

Students whose grade point average (GPA) falls below 2.0 may be required to withdraw from the program. To be eligible to graduate, students must successfully complete each course with a grade of B, and the practicum with a credit.

Practicum

Six-month practicum provides experience and industry connections.

Instructors

Classes are taught by lawyers and paralegals possessing exceptional academic and professional qualifications. This program blends substantive legal study with instruction and hands-on practice in paralegal skills.