The Paralegal Technology program makes the student able to proceed with documentary and computer research of laws, regulations, case law and doctrine that can fuel the treatment of a legal problem.

Technicians and paralegals analyze and interpret various legal documents and collaborate in drafting procedures or documents to the processing of files. This requires knowledge and expertise in various areas of both contentious as notarial law, procedures and drafting procedures, methods of research and the use of databases and software used in the field practice.

The program also prepares them among others, to the following tasks::

• opening and monitoring of records, monitoring of client accounts, preparation and taxation of bills of costs, management of trust accounts, preparation of cases for hearing, Court vacation, title search, collection of fines, alimony, writing of audience minutes
  
  Finally, the specialization provides the knowledge and expertise in working procedures and legislation in commercial and corporate law and administrative law.

The college certificate in paralegal technology prepares to work in the following jobs: law firms, notary offices and municipal registries, criminal and civil, public or private litigation, government departments, parastatals, commissions and tribunals administrative, litigation company, etc..

The Bailiffs Act makes the college degree in Paralegal Technology prior to licensure of trainee bailiff issued by the Minister of Justice. The person who has obtained a legal AEC in paralegal technology must complete the training required to obtain the diploma in paralegal technology to be eligible to obtain a trainee bailiff permit.

This program prepares you to become a law clerk or bailiff in all spheres of legal activity. At the end of your training, you will have acquired the necessary knowledge to perform specific tasks within the scope of practice of the key players in law. You can work in the offices of lawyers and notaries, bailiffs' offices, civil and criminal transplants courthouse or municipal courts or in legal departments and ministries.

The tasks of the legal assistant may vary according to the nature of the business that employs his/her skills and autonomy. Thus, as a legal assistant, you will work under the guidance of a legal professional and you will be able to:

• make information retrieval, content analysis of documents and seek appropriate solutions to a legal problem or the execution of a warrant;
• do research on laws, regulations, case law and doctrine;
• perform tasks such as opening and tracking files, manage trust accounts, prepare cases for hearing in court, the Office of the District Registrar or various government departments;
• monitor the progress of cases in the registries of the courts and tribunals.

Graduates find jobs mainly in the private offices of lawyers and notaries.

More and more jobs are also available in:

• Private or public litigation corporations (banks, insurance companies, utilities);;
• Administrative bodies such as :
  • Automobile Insurance of Québec Society
  • Housing Authority;
  • CSST and Employment Injury Commission;
  • legal aid offices;
• Unions;
• bailiffs offices;
• public service :
  • court of Justice (civil, criminal, municipal and administrative)
  • offices advertising rights, movable and immovable;
• all companies where legal knowledge is an asset.

Workplace Requirements

• Respect of professional secrecy and code of ethics is essential in the implementation of various professional tasks
• The positions require a good quality of written French and English language proficiency and computer literacy.

Placement

Indicator of investment in 2009 in the field: 86% obtained 6 months after the end of the training to students seeking employment rate. Source: Metropolitan Montreal Regional Service. (MMRS)

Average starting salary in 2007: $ 16.62 / hour

Note: Lawyers and notaries realize more and more the interesting contribution of these technicians. Paralegals have achieved a major breakthrough in the CSST in municipal courts as clerks of the Court and in bailiffs offices.

Those interested in enrolling in this program must have completed a secondary or vocational diploma (DES or DEP) or have training deemed sufficient by the college. Those interested in enrolling in this program must also satisfy the following conditions:

• Having interrupted his/her studies for at least two consecutive semesters or one academic year.
• To be covered by an agreement between the College and an employer or a government program.
• Have completed at least one year of postsecondary education over a period of a year or more.