Paralegal

Effective communication across all varieties of delivery vehicles is central to the successful operation of a business. This course will introduce students to the theories and practice of technical and business communication and professional writing. Students will learn how to organize information based on purpose and audience, express ideas clearly, precisely, and effectively, and how and when to use communication technologies to achieve management and business objectives.

This course is the entry point to legal studies. It provides students with foundational knowledge on how legal disputes are resolved through the legal system of Canada.

Students will examine in detail the rules and regulations on ethical conduct applicable to professionals working in legal environments. Students will gain an insight into the various codes of conduct related to the legal professions, and acts and legislation governing privacy and confidentiality at both the provincial and federal level. Obligation in the use, collection and disclosure of personal information related to clients will be thoroughly discussed.

Students are provided with an overview of the skills required to perform legal research. Students will be introduced to various online resources in the research of case laws, finding the sources of laws, and legal terminology used in legal research.

This course is designed to give an overview of the way a legal office operates, the types of documents used in legal practice, and the administration procedures for a legal office. Special emphasis is placed on the use of technology, software, and online applications used in law offices, and the general use of technology for timekeeping, file management, databases, client communication, inter office communication and efficiency.

This course is designed to give an overview of the relationships between the client and the legal professional. It focuses on the importance of client satisfaction, client needs, client care, and client confidence. Students will also learn to develop client culture to improve client experiences.

Students learn the full process of opening and managing a litigation file, as well as the stages and procedures of civil litigation in British Columbia. The course introduces various types of damages and claims, along with the evidentiary requirements for proving a claim. The course covers the progression of an action through Provincial Court and the Supreme Court, including trial procedures, mediation, and settlement processes. Students also explore the enforcement of judgments, the use of precedents in litigation, and the fundamentals of alternative dispute resolution. In addition, the course strengthens students’ understanding of the law-making process, the application of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and procedural requirements for Small Claims Court and the Supreme Court.

This course introduces students to Canadian immigration laws, rules, policies, and procedures that are developed and enforced through Canadian government agencies, courts, and tribunals. Students learn the history of Canadian immigration and citizenship law and its role in the international community.

This course introduces the family court system in British Columbia. Students become familiar with Provincial and Supreme Court documentation and procedures used to bring issues of marriage, separation, divorce, custody/access, child welfare, adoption, maintenance and property to resolution using the legal system. The Family Relations Act and the Divorce Act are covered. Students gain experience in completing a contested divorce file. Child Support guidelines are also covered.

This course introduces the substantive law of real estate and the essentials of conveyancing. Students learn the structure of real estate sales, the roles of vendor and purchaser representatives, and the procedures for opening, managing, and closing a real estate transaction. The land registration system is covered, along with key documents for transfers/deeds, charges/mortgages, and discharges. The course examines the nature of mortgages, including legal and equitable interests, priorities, assignments, extinguishment, insurance considerations, and payout strategies. Students further study property law concepts, the land title system, undertakings, conflicts of interest, contracts of purchase and sale, and related tax issues.

This course introduces students to the incorporation and organization of a British Columbia company. It provides an overview of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, the Society Act, the Canada Business Corporations Act, and the Canada Corporations Act. Students learn corporate name-selection procedures, corporate structure, by-laws, meetings, minutes, resolutions, and the duties of directors and officers. Using legal precedents, students prepare articles of incorporation, corporate by-laws, and routine corporate filings and resolutions. They also learn to set up and maintain corporate records, including transitions required under new legislation. Corporate securities, records, and changes are also examined. The course further advances understanding of reporting vs. non- reporting companies, agency relationships, liabilities, and methods of securing financial transactions and acquiring assets. Students study financial arrangements, the nature of security, credit devices, priorities, and assignments. The structure, creation, and transfer of businesses are reviewed, along with procedures for commercial transactions from file opening to closing.

This course explores the nature, purpose, scope, sources, and basic principles of criminal law. Students examine the Criminal Code of Canada and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, review the elements of a criminal offence, and study procedures related to arrest, trial, sentencing, and appeal. Jurisdictional issues, jury election processes, and fundamental rules of evidence are also covered. Students learn interviewing and investigation techniques for criminal matters, including direct and cross-examination skills and the procedures for creating and maintaining a criminal file. The course also addresses information gathering, obtaining retainers, completing documentation, billing, reporting, and reviewing evidentiary rules and statements.

In this foundation course, students learn about wills and estates planning, estate succession, testacy, intestacy, requirements of a valid will and execution procedures. There is an introduction to the roles of the Executor and Trustee. Students learn about the Notice to Beneficiaries, Living Wills, Power of Attorney and Representations Agreements. Assets, inheritance and estate inventory are also presented. An overview of The Wills Act and the Administration of Estates Act are covered. This course also covers the roles of the Executor and Trustee.

This course introduces Aboriginal law in Canada focusing on First Nations in British Columbia and Indigenous communities across Canada, and examining topics such as intergovernmental constitutional frameworks, the Indian Act, systems of Indigenous governance and citizenship, legal issues affecting Indigenous women, family-related matters, treaty development, and the management of land and natural resources.

This course is an overview of the laws of negligence and various types of torts including false imprisonment, assault, battery, defamation, nuisance, recovery of pure economic loss.

Students learn about the formation of partnerships and general concepts underlying incorporations. The fundamental principles of contract law and various types of contacts are overviewed including an offer, acceptance, certainty, intention, consideration, privity, capacity, public policy, frustration, breach, misrepresentation, mistake, and remedies.

This course introduces employment law in British Columbia and Canada, focusing on the legal rights and responsibilities of employers and employees. Students examine the creation, terms, and termination of employment relationships, along with statutory standards governing wages, hours of work, leaves, termination, and workplace safety. The course explores key legislation such as the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Workers Compensation Act, Labour Relations Code, and relevant federal laws. Learners analyze employment contracts, workplace policies, wrongful dismissal claims, constructive dismissal, and progressive discipline processes. Topics also include workplace human rights, discrimination, accommodation, privacy, occupational health and safety, and the role of unions and collective bargaining. Students gain practical skills in interpreting legislation, reviewing contracts, preparing documentation, and applying legal principles to real workplace scenarios.

This course provides students with a foundational understanding of the law of evidence and the analytical skills required to interpret, assess, and apply legal information in practice. Students examine the principles governing admissibility, relevance, reliability, and weight of evidence in proceedings. Topics include hearsay, privileges, character evidence, burden and standard of proof, expert evidence, documentary and real evidence, and rules governing witness testimony. Students also learn structured legal analysis frameworks, and apply them to statutes, case law, and hypothetical fact patterns.

This course focuses on developing effective cover letters, resumes, and interview techniques. Students will create tailored resumes and cover letters relevant to their field of study and engage in mock interview sessions. Class discussions will cover job search resources, professional attire, and other key elements of a successful job search.

Paralegals support lawyers and legal teams by preparing legal documents, conducting research, managing case files, assisting with litigation, communicating with clients, and performing administrative and procedural tasks across multiple areas of law.

Graduates of the Paralegal Diploma program are prepared to work in legal environments as Paralegals or Law Clerks. The program provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to support lawyers in areas such as civil litigation, family law, criminal law, immigration, corporate law, real estate, estate planning, and more.

No. You do not need any prior legal experience. The program is designed to teach foundational and advanced legal skills from the ground up, including research, writing, litigation procedures, and document preparation.

Yes. As legal services expand and law firms seek cost-effective support professionals, skilled paralegals are in demand across litigation, corporate, real estate, and immigration sectors.

Yes. Courses such as Client Relationships, Communication Strategy for Business, and legal procedural courses train students to handle client communication professionally and maintain confidentiality.

Yes. The program is designed for beginners seeking structured, comprehensive training to enter the legal career with confidence.