Court Support Services
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Program Overview
The Court Support Services program provides you with the necessary skills to step into a variety of court service roles within every level of the provincial court system. Your journey will culminate in a 120 hour field placement, giving you the opportunity to have a hands-on, practical experience in the Ontario court system.
Program Details
Program Code
COS1
Credential:
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
30 weeks
Canadian Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2024 September
London
Open
2023 September
London
Closed
International Students
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2024 September
London
Open
2023 September
London
Closed
Your Learning Experience
The Court Support Services program is designed to provide graduates with the specialized knowledge and skills required to work in various court support and court and client service positions for the Ontario Courts, as well as providing specialized evidence recording and interactive learning activities focused on courtroom staff roles with an emphasis on professionalism and decorum.
Graduates can expect excellent employment opportunities in this sector or can take advantage of the other law-focused programs in the School of Public Safety to further expand their skill set.
Students who graduate from the Court Support Services program will be prepared for a range of careers within the courtroom and various other areas with Ontario Courts. Courses within the program have been designed by industry experts to include current and up-to-date skills in order to prepare students for the industry’s recruitment needs. Students will be introduced to working in both the Ontario and Superior Courts of Justice which oversee various disciplines and jurisdictions of law including Criminal, Family, Civil, and Provincial Offences.
Courses in the program include instruction and use of current court software such as Liberty Court Recording, FTR, and CaseLines. Students have a balance of both class and lab time during the program and also benefit from observing court in progress. Students also learn crucial skills required in the profession such as courtroom decorum, communication skills, professionalism, and legal knowledge.
This is one of the only programs of its kind in Ontario to provide field placements in Ontario courthouses, giving students invaluable industry experience before they graduate. Field placements are 120 hours in length in addition to the 30 weeks of in-class study.
Please note: the majority of courses in the Court Support Services program take place after 6 p.m.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe's Court Support Services program can utilize the specialized knowledge and skills learned through the program to pursue various court support and court client service positions. Graduates will be prepared for a range of careers within the courtroom and various other areas with Ontario Courts.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Court Support Services program:
Court Clerk
Perform support functions in courts of law, such as calling court to order, preparing court dockets and maintaining exhibits.
Court Reporter
Record and transcribe verbatim proceedings of courts, legislative assemblies and committees and prepare judges, tribunals and quasi-judicial panels.
Court Services Officer
Be responsible for keeping records of court processes served and enforcing court decisions by executing court orders.
Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Maintain a professional attitude in adherence to courtroom decorum.
- Interact with judiciary, counsel, stakeholders, the public and court staff in a respectful manner and using a customer service oriented approach.
- Create and format court services documents using computer software in accordance with municipal and provincial directives and governing legislation.
- Record and annotate court proceedings using digital court technology adhering to proper restrictions and flagging of cases.
- Examine, compare and complete various forms accurately and legibly according to court service requirements and proceedings.
- Maintain and manage critical details of all court files (including court minute books and exhibits) ensuring their secure storage at all times in accordance with municipal and provincial directives.
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work in court support service settings.
Related Programs
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Suzanne Kingshott
Admission Requirements
OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),
University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
- English ONE OF:
-Any Grade 12 English (U)
-Any Grade 12 English (C) (minimum
final grade required is 65)
- Mathematics ONE OF:
-Any Grade 11 Mathematics (U) or
(M)
-Any Grade 12 Mathematics (U)
-Grade 12 Mathematics for College
Technology (C)
-Grade 11 or Grade 12 Foundations
for College Mathematics (C) (minimum final grade required is
65)
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE) WITH:
-Communications
-Core Mathematics
(Note: minimum final grade required for each course is
65)
OR
Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate (GED) WITH:
-The combined Language Arts - Reading AND
Language Arts - Writing test results having a minimum average
Standard Score of 520 AND:
- Mathematics ONE OF:
-Any Grade 11 Mathematics (U) or
(M)
-Any Grade 12 Mathematics (U)
-Grade 12 Mathematics for College
Technology (C)
-Grade 11 or Grade 12 Foundations
for College Mathematics (C) (minimum final grade required is
65)
OR
Public Safety Fundamentals Ontario College Certificate
AND:
-Minimum final grade of 'C+' or 65 in the required courses
stated above
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required courses and
grades stated above
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be
required to demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the
following methods:
- A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English credit from an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on the program's Admission Requirements
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with a minimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), with test results within the last two years
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years. SDS Program Requirements.
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands, with test results within the last two years
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of 53, with test results within the last two years
- A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score on the Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than 162, with test results within the last two years
- Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 10
Recommended Academic Preparation
Recommended Academic Preparation
- Grade 11 Understanding Canadian Law (M) OR Grade 12 Canadian and International Law (U)
- Grade 12 English (U) is strongly recommended. Advanced writing skills are essential.
- Grade 12 Business and Technological Communication (O)
- Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE): Computer Skills course
Recommended Personal Preparation
Recommended Personal Preparation
- Students should possess excellent oral and written communication skills
- Students should possess basic computer skills
- Students should develop a high degree of responsibility, maturity, conscientiousness and the ability to work independently with little supervision
- Students should attend an open courtroom proceeding in their area
- Students should attend Fanshawe College's Open House for more information about this program
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available
spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will
be:
- Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
- Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
- Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
Post-Admission Requirements
The following items are applicable to the program:
- Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| LAWS-1091 | Court Clerk-OCJ Criminal | 3 | ||
| Students will study the role of Ontario Court clerks with respect to assisting the judiciary in a criminal bail, plea, and trial court. The course will focus on principles, courtroom procedures, and operations using Ministry of the Attorney General-approved guidelines specific to the Ontario Court of Justice. | ||||
| COMM-1146 | Professional Communication & Courtroom 1 | 5 | ||
| Students will examine and apply the principles of good written and oral communication including the use of proper grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills. Students will also study the various roles of participants in the courtroom, appropriate courtroom dress, and decorum. The course will address the importance of confidentiality and sensitivity in a courtroom environment. | ||||
| COMP-1551 | Computers & Courtroom Technology | 3 | ||
| In this course students will be introduced to Microsoft Office to create and format court services and other legal-based documents using correct formatting, spelling, and grammar. In addition, students will be introduced to various court technologies used in the courtroom. Students will have opportunities to practice these skills throughout the term. | ||||
| LAWS-1092 | Court Clerk/Registrar-Family Court 1 | 4 | ||
| This course will focus on the principles, courtroom procedures, and operations using Ministry of the Attorney General-approved guidelines specific to the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and the Family Court. Students will be introduced to Family Law legislation and rules, proceedings, case management, child protection timetables, and case tracking technology. | ||||
| LAWS-1093 | Canadian Legal System-Intro | 3 | ||
| This course introduces students to the Canadian legal system. Students will examine the parties involved in the legal system in Canada, sources of law, the Constitution, and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Through this course, students will gain a general understanding of how laws are defined, created, and interpreted as well as the history, structure, and jurisdiction of Canadian courts. | ||||
| LAWS-1094 | Court Reporter 1 | 4 | ||
| In this course, students examine the role of a court reporter, including how the reporter should interact with other members of the court in a professional and respectful manner. In accordance with Ministry of the Attorney General-approved guidelines, students will learn to record and annotate court proceedings using current digital recording equipment and systems. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.