Registration in a program is done on a course-by-course basis each term. The expected availability of courses is displayed below but may change throughout the year. Click on the arrows below to confirm upcoming course offerings and to add a course to your online shopping cart. For assistance, please use the inquiry form on this page or call 519-452-4277.
Overview
Aimed at facilitating access to justice for Ontarians in family law, this certificate program will prepare Paralegals licensed and eligible to provide legal services by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) to expand their scope of practice to become Family Legal Services Providers (FLSPs). Students will complete curriculum that aligns with LSO-defined FLSP competencies in the areas of ethics and professional responsibility, knowledge of the law, substantive family law, filing domestic contracts, alternative dispute resolution, the litigation process, and practice management issues. The curriculum will also provide instruction on interpersonal, communication, and client service skills through an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens.
The program will be delivered online in both full-time and part-time formats and will include a field placement that will be completed in-person. Students will be required to complete a final assessment in person at a location close to the student, upon completing all the required courses in the program, the field placement, and prior to becoming an FLSP.
FLSPs will be able to provide process navigation in family court, prepare applications for name changes, file domestic contracts, and complete applications for joint/uncontested divorces. They will also engage with the Family Responsibility Office to respond to enforcement proceedings with respect to support payments and will be able to prepare and argue motions to change child support in certain circumstances.
Delivery
This program is delivered fully online. Each course consists of synchronous and asynchronous hours. Attendance at synchronous hours is mandatory.
Students wishing to complete this program in 1-semester with a full-time course load may do so by registering for all courses. When selecting your courses, ensure there is no overlap between synchronous class time. For those students completing the program on a part-time basis, note that not all courses are offered during the summer term.
Admission Requirements
Law Society of Ontario Paralegal (P1) class licence and eligible to provide legal services.
*Applicants will be required to submit their licence number and full name as registered with the Law Society of Ontario.
Application Process
Fanshawe will begin accepting applications for the Winter 2025 term in August 2024. Further details regarding the application process will be available at that time.
Courses
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| LAWS-1116 | Ethics and Professionalism | 2 | ||
| In this course, students will learn appropriate communication strategies for client management and the importance of keeping clients informed with respect to processes, timeframes, results, and costs. Students will identify obligations related to unrepresented or self-represented persons, recognize conflicts of interest, and explain how to manage monies in trust in accordance with LSO requirements. | ||||
| LAWS-1117 | Knowledge of the Law | 4 | ||
| This course will provide students with the foundation for determining jurisdiction and the appropriate forum (e.g., where to start with a divorce application, where to file a domestic contract, etc.). Students will learn to interpret relevant statutes, regulations, and related case law applicable to family law matters (e.g., Divorce Act, Family Law Act, Child Support Guidelines, Family Law Rules, Ontario Disability Support Program Act, Ontario Works Act, Income Tax Act, Change of Name Act, Succession Law Reform Act, Evidence Act (Ontario), Canada Evidence Act, Limitations Act, 2002, Rules of Civil Procedure, Courts of Justice Act, Civil Marriage Act, Arbitration Act, 1991, Canada Pension Plan, Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act, Family Responsibility and Support Arrears Enforcement Act, 1996, Personal Property Security Act). | ||||
| LAWS-1118 | Substantive Family Law 1 | 4 | ||
| In this course, students will be introduced to the laws of marriage, joint and uncontested divorces, and child support. Students will learn the rules regarding motions to change, common issues that arise when child support is sought, and the importance of financial disclosure. The role of the Family Responsibility Office in enforcing support and changing names under the Change of Name Act will also be addressed. | ||||
| LAWS-1119 | Substantive Family Law 2 | 4 | ||
| Students will build on their knowledge and experience from Substantive Family Law 1 by learning about filing existing domestic contracts and the effect of filing on support enforcement, variation, increases or recalculation. They will learn to conduct risk assessments and identify family violence or intimate partner violence issues and determine the next steps within the FLSP scope of practice (e.g., decline to act or continue to act and refer the matter to a lawyer). Pre-requisite: Substantive Family Law 1 | ||||
| LAWS-1115 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 1 | ||
| In this course, students will discuss various dispute resolution processes (e.g., negotiation, mediation [open versus closed], arbitration, collaborative, etc.) and learn to determine whether alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is necessary or appropriate. Learners will develop an understanding of when ADR can be ordered, the potential implications of choosing to use or not use ADR, and how to prepare the client for ADR (process, forms, dynamics). | ||||
| LAWS-1120 | Litigation Process | 1 | ||
| Learners will develop an understanding of the pleadings and court forms used at different stages of a family law proceeding, and the principles related to costs, offers to settle, and security for costs. Students will prepare submissions for matters within the FLSP scope of practice and learn to advise the client of service and filing requirements, including motions, temporary relief proceedings, and trial or hearing preparation. Pre-requisite: Substantive Family Law 1 | ||||
| LAWS-1121 | Practice Management Issues | 1 | ||
| In this course, students will learn about the Law Society of Ontario's (LSO) client identification and verification requirements, marketing/advertising rules, and continuing professional development expectations. The importance of remaining current regarding changes to legislation, regulations, guidelines, practice directions, and case law as well as acting within the scope of a Family Legal Services Provider are addressed. Pre-requisite: Substantive Family Law 1 | ||||
| FLDP-1051 | Family Legal Services Field Placement | 1.2 | ||
| Family Legal Services Certificate students will complete a field placement component in a work setting for a minimum of 40 hours. The field placement will provide students with exposure to family law practice and the relevant skills for the provision of family legal services as a Family Legal Services Provider. A student's work experience and the scheduling of field placement will reflect the employer's needs. Assistance will be provided by the field placement coordinator to attempt to place students in a setting which matches their abilities, expectations, and interests. Should this not be possible, the student agrees to accept the opportunity the field placement coordinator is able to supply. | ||||
| LAWS-1122 | FLSP Final Assessment | 0 | ||
| The final assessment of the FLSP competencies assesses a paralegal’s knowledge of substantive and procedural law and ethical and professional responsibilities that have the most direct impact of the public and that influence the provision of effective and ethical family legal services. Students may register for the final assessment upon completion of the academic requirements. | ||||
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Learning Outcomes
- Provide process navigation at different stages of family court proceedings, including pleadings, court forms, principles related to costs, motions and temporary relief proceedings and hearing preparation, within the FLSP (Family Legal Services Provider) scope of practice.
- Advise clients of appropriate steps regarding substantive family law within the FLSP scope of practice.
- Integrate into practice applicable federal and provincial legislation, regulations, guidelines, practice directions and case law as they relate to family law matters.
- File domestic contracts in court and prepare change of name applications within the FLSP scope of practice.
- Prepare and argue motions to change for child support and respond to proceeding to enforce support payments within the FLSP scope of practice.
- Manage client expectations and needs with civility and professionalism, and respect diverse client circumstances.
- Determine when various alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes are necessary or appropriate and prepare clients for participation in ADR.
- Articulate and follow the general principles of law, legal ethics, professional responsibility, and practice management specifically related to the FLSP scope of practice.
French Language Program
Fanshawe has collaborated with La Cité to deliver the FLSP program in French. For further details regarding the French language program, please contact Joseph Allan – Directeur, Institut des services d’urgence et juridiques, La Cité at JAllan@lacitec.on.ca.
International Students
Prospective applicants who are foreign nationals must contact Jukyoung (Jake) Yoon, International Educational Advisor, at jkyoon@fanshawec.ca to discuss and confirm eligibility.