Lawyers and Paralegals in Ontario are both
1) Able to Notarize documents
2) Be referred through the Law Society Referral Service,
3) Both licensed by the Law Society of Ontario
4) Carry errors and omissions insurance
5) Usually have a mixed trust account
Lawyers are licensed to provide a full range of legal services that include:
1) Family matters, such as divorce, separation, and child custody.
2) Criminal matters in all levels of court
3) Civil litigation matters in all levels of court
4) Wills, powers of attorney and estate matters
5) Real estate matters, including buying and selling personal or commercial property
While lawyers can represent you in all legal matters, paralegals are licensed to provide certain specified legal services.
1) Small claims court
2) Traffic court for charges under the Highway Traffic ACT
3) Tickets (including parking) under the Provincial Offences ACT
4) Tribunals, such as the Landlord and Tenant Board or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board among others
5) Minor criminal charges under the Criminal Code heard in the Ontario Court of Justice.