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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
examination in person through the Law Society of Ontario (LSO),
upon completing all the required courses in the program, the field
placement, and prior to becoming an authorized 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.
Students will be required to complete the FLSP examination to
apply for authorization. For more information about the FLSP
examination administered by the Law Society of Ontario, visit the
FLSP Examination page.
Admission Requirements
An Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree in Paralegal, or equivalent.
(Note: minimum 'B' average or cumulative 3.0 GPA)
OR
An equivalent qualification from another institution as judged by the College
Applicants must possess a Law Society of Ontario Paralegal (P1) class license and be eligible to provide
legal services in the province of Ontario. Applicants will be required to submit their license number and
full name as registered with the Law Society of Ontario. Anyone who is subject to disciplinary or regulatory proceedings will not be considered for admission.
Applicants will need to provide a resume, a personal statement, and two professional references.
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. | ||
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 View 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 View 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 | 4View More Details about LAWS-1118 View More Details about LAWS-1118 | ||
| 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 | 4View More Details about LAWS-1119 View More Details about LAWS-1119 | ||
| 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 View 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 View 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 View 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 | 1.2View More Details about FLDP-1051 View More Details about FLDP-1051 | ||
| 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
Financial Aid Eligibility
Students enrolled in this program are not eligible for financial assistance, including bursaries, scholarships, or OSAP funding.
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.