Very strong press release from Ontario paralegals: "The Ontario Justice Committee hearings regarding Bill 14 (Access to Justice Act) are coming to a close at Queen's Park. One thing is very certain . . . Independent paralegals in Ontario are in a David and Goliath fight for the very survival of their profession!! "If Schedule C to Bill 14 is enacted, without amendment, Ontario...
Well, this sure is welcome news! "The Ohio State Bar Association has developed a certification program for paralegals to help lawyers and firms identify qualified assistants. "Paralegals interested in earning a certification good for four years must meet educational standards stipulated by the bar association, have sufficient experience and pass an examination. Applications will be...
Here's a letter from Margaret Louter in support of regulation to the Toronto Star: "Marshall Yarmus suggests in his letter that the Paralegal Society of Ontario disagrees with Bill 14 because it will increase the cost of legal services to the public and small businesses and will increase lawyers' monopoly on certain legal services. He suggests that every Ontarian should be opposed to it. I...
Intriguing news from Canada -- paralegals may soon be regulated: "Across Canada, paralegals provide a variety of services for a fraction of the price lawyers charge, but they do it with no training standards, no regulations and no professional body to license or discipline them. "Ontario is set to change that. "Bill 14 will regulate paralegals for the first time in Canada. The...
Saying that it wants to "see more study on the issue," the State Bar of Florida has come out in opposition to two pending bills covering the regulation of paralegals: "Members of the Bar Board of Governors said they are sensitive to the desire of paralegals for recognition of their importance to the legal system, but proposed bills in the legislature to license and regulate...