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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
Program Description
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.
Graduates of the FLSP Program are required to be authorized by the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) . Applicants are encouraged to review the steps involved in becoming an FLSP after completion of the FLSP program at Fanshawe.
Admission requirements
Law Society of Ontario Paralegal (P1) class license and eligible to provide legal services.*
AND ONE OF:
A paralegal credential (diploma, degree or graduate certificate) accredited by the Law Society of Ontario (Note: minimum ‘B’ average or cumulative 3.0 GPA)
OR
A combination of relevant education and work experience in a related field as judged by the College to be equivalent to the above.
Note:
*Applicants will be required to submit their license number and full name as registered with the Law Society of Ontario.
*All applicants will be required to submit a resume, statement of intent and references.
Application Process
Applications for the Fall 2025 FLSP Program Intake are now being accepted and will close on May 30th, 2025 at 4:30pm EST. Admission decisions will be sent via email to all applicants beginning June 16th, 2025.
Please refer to the checklist below to ensure a complete application package is submitted. All application supporting documents need to be received at the time of submission for consideration.
Please note that due to the high volume and quality of applicants, the number of qualified individuals often exceeds the seats available in our programs, resulting in some qualified candidates being unable to secure a spot.
Delivery
This program is delivered fully online. Each course consists of synchronous and asynchronous hours. Attendance at synchronous hours is mandatory. Students can choose to take this program via a full-time or part-time course load.
Full-Time Course Load:
Students wishing to complete this program with a full-time course load may do so by registering for one of the full-time sections listed in the Fall 2025 Course Guide (students will take all courses associated within the selected session at the dates and times they are offered).
Refer to the Full-Time (6 Months to Complete) Sample User Journey for more information.
Part-Time Course Load*:
Students completing the program on a Part-Time basis should select the part-time section listed in the Fall 2025 Course Guide and will take all courses associated with the part-time session at the dates and times they are offered. When planning your program completion, refer to the following Part-Time Sample User Journey’s below for guidance on course selection.
Refer to the Part-Time Sample User Journey’s below for more information
* Note that the program must be completed within 2 years. Extension of time requires approval from the Associate Dean of the School of Public Safety.”
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. | ||||
Sample Learner Journeys
Program Requirements
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| LAWS-1116 | Ethics and Professionalism | 2View More Details about LAWS-1116 | ||
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 | 4View More Details about LAWS-1117 | ||
This course will provide students with the foundation for determining jurisdiction and appropriate forum (e.g., where to start with a divorce application, where to file 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 child support issues, related motions to change, financial disclosure, change of name under the Change of Name Act, joint and uncontested divorces, Indigenous Matters in Family Law, and the role of the Family Responsibility Office in matters for enforcement of support orders. | ||||
| LAWS-1119 | Substantive Family Law 2 | 4 | ||
Prerequisite(s) for This Course: Substantive Family Law 1 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 as well as next steps within the FLSP scope of practice (e.g., decline to act or continue to act and refer the matter to a lawyer). | ||||
| LAWS-1115 | Alternative Dispute Resolution | 1View More Details about LAWS-1115 | ||
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 sue ADR or not use ADR, and how to prepare the client for ADR (process, forms, dynamics). | ||||
| LAWS-1120 | Litigation Process | 1View More Details about LAWS-1120 | ||
Prerequisite(s) for This Course: Substantive Family Law 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 on costs for matters within FLSP scope and learn to advise the client of service and filing requirements, including motions, temporary relief proceedings, and trial or hearing preparation. | ||||
| LAWS-1121 | Practice Management Issues | 1View More Details about LAWS-1121 | ||
Prerequisite(s) for This Course: Substantive Family Law 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. | ||||
| 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 law 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 assesses entry-level competencies of 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. Student may register for the final assessment upon completion of the academic requirements and field placement. | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students Must Complete a Minimum of 5 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and graduate from this program | ||||
More Information
More Info
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 flsp@fanshawec.ca
International Students
This program is not available for international students.
Program Details
Download the Part-time Studies Guide
What's included:
- How to assess if part-time learning is right for you
- Part-time learning options and the differences between each
- How to pay for your part-time education
- Part-time options within your area of interest
- How to sign up for part-time studies and where to get help