Paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community and education services

Paralegals and related occupations

Also called: Paralegal, Tax paralegal, Property paralegal, Corporate paralegal, Insurance paralegal, Collection paralegal, Family law paralegal, Labour law paralegal, Litigation paralegal, Corporation paralegal, Foreclosure paralegal, Independent paralegal

Paralegals prepare legal documents and conduct research to assist lawyers or other professionals. Independent paralegals provide legal services to the public as allowed by government legislation, or provide paralegal services on contract to law firms or other establishments. Justices of the peace administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summonses and warrants and perform other court-related duties such as conducting bail hearings. Notaries public administer oaths, take affidavits, sign legal documents and perform other activities according to the scope of their practice. Trademark agents advise clients on intellectual property matters. Paralegals are employed by law firms, by record search companies and in legal departments throughout the public and private sectors. Independent paralegals are usually self-employed. Justices of the peace are employed by federal, provincial, municipal, and territorial courts. Notaries public are employed by government and in the public and private sectors or they may be self-employed. Trademark agents are employed by law firms and legal departments throughout the public and private sectors, trademark development and search firms or they may be self-employed.

Main tasks

Paralegals
Assist lawyers by interviewing clients, witnesses and other related parties, assembling documentary evidence, preparing trial briefs, and arranging for trials
Assist lawyers in preparation for mediation and judicial dispute resolutions
Under the supervision of a lawyer, prepare wills, real estate transactions and other legal documents, court reports and affidavits
Research records, court files and other legal documents
Draft legal correspondence and perform general office and clerical duties
Independent paralegals
Represent clients in small claims court and in other lower court proceedings, at tribunals and before administrative bodies

How to become one

Paralegals in law firms require a bachelor's degree in law or a law college diploma and in-house training from a law firm or other legal establishment. Independent paralegals require knowledge of legal principles and procedures usually obtained through industry-sponsored courses and through experience, or through completion of a community college paralegal program. Paralegals require a licence to perform advanced legal services. Justices of the peace requirements can vary from a background in law and the justice system, completion of a justice registrar, justice of the peace or other court training program depending on their duties and responsibilities. Justices of the peace in the provinces are appointed by the lieutenant governor in council and, in the territories, by federally appointed territorial commissioners. Notaries public usually require a university degree in law or a related field. Notaries public are appointed after examination and certification of their qualifications by the governing judiciary in their province or territory. All appointments have specific limitations on the activities they can perform and for specific periods of time. Notaries public require a provincial licence. In British Columbia, membership in the Society of Notaries Public is also required. To be licensed, trademark agents are required to work in the area of trademark law, including the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications for registration, for two years and to successfully complete the examination conducted jointly by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and the Registrar of Trade-Marks, Canadian Intellectual Property Office or either one of the above and to be a lawyer entitled to practise in Canada. Trademark agents require registration with the federal Trade-Mark Office.

See the full NOC 2021 profile

Ways in

College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 55% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Legal support services; Law (LLB, JD, BCL); Criminology.
Licence or registration: Paralegals require a licence to perform advanced legal services. Notaries public require a provincial licence. In British Columbia, membership in the Society of Notaries Public is also required. To be licensed, trademark agents are required to work in the area of trademark law, including the preparation and prosecution of trademark applications for registration, for two years and to successfully complete the examination conducted jointly by the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada and the Registrar of Trade-Marks, Canadian Intellectual Property Office or either one of the above and to be a lawyer entitled to practise in Canada.

Pay · Outlook

Median pay: $64,447 a year The middle half earn $50,700 to $81,569.
About 36,000 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 43,200 are projected by 2033. (+20%)
Projected labour market to 2033: balance.

Sources

Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03