|
“Lawyers are expensive, aren’t
they? I can’t really afford one”
That may or may not be accurate, but in Ontario you have another, possibly less expensive, alternative which
is the Licensed Paralegal.
Licensed paralegals are not lawyers but, through experience and education, have gained
wide knowledge of their field of practice. They are also members of and regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada, similar
to a lawyer in this respect.
You might want to consult with a traffic court paralegal.
Almost
all reputable licensed paralegals will offer you a free consultation in which they will examine the ticket you have been issued
and ask you a series of questions around the circumstances.
The interview
will conclude with a fair evaluation of your options and the possible consequences of any action you might take.
If the paralegal considers you could easily handle the matter yourself without problem you should be given clear instructions.
If your matter needs the paralegals services you should be given an overview of what those services will entail and the end
result that will be sought.
Be aware the paralegal is forbidden by the Rules
of Conduct laid down by the Law Society of Upper Canada to give any guarantee as to the outcome of your matter.
“How can I find a reputable paralegal?”
Contact details of reputable paralegals in your area are listed on the Licensed
Paralegals Association of Ontario site at:
http://licensedparalegalsassociation.com/
You
can also search the directory of the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) web site at:
http://www1.lsuc.on.ca/LawyerParalegalDirectory/index.jspWherever you obtain a paralegal's name you should check the LSUC site to ensure, as a
first step, the paralegal is licensed and in good standing with the Society.
Telephone the paralegal you
have chosen to approach and make an appointment to see them in person.Make it clear when
making this appointment you are seeking a free consultation to evaluate your ticket and review your options.
Arrive
on time for your appointment. The paralegal is offering you a free slice of time, please respect that and your experience
will be worthwhile.
Be prepared to answer questions about who you are. The paralegal is required
to confirm the identity of anyone they interview during the course of their business.
Give clear,
concise and unbiased answers to the paralegal during your meeting. The paralegal cannot provide meaningful counsel without
knowing the true circumstances leading to you being issued a ticket.
Be reassured that all of the information
you reveal during the interview is protected and will remain confidential.
Do not expect the paralegal
to agree with your position on the events leading to the ticket. It is their function to give you counsel based on their knowledge
of the law and their experience applied tothe information they have gained from you.
Things to avoid:
·
do not consult with a paralegal who wishes to interview you on the telephone, there are excellent reasons
why this sort of behaviour is forbidden by the Law Society of Upper Canada
· do not accept the counsel of a paralegal
who `guarantees’ an outcome to your matter, you should suspect their motive
· be wary of a paralegal who enquires
about your ability to pay prior to examining your ticket and the facts
· do not retain a paralegal ‘on
a handshake,’ ensure you enter into a relationship involving a written retainer which at least outlines the charge(s)
against you, the work to be done by the paralegal and desired outcome, also the fee structure
· avoid a paralegal who makes
derogatory remarks about competitors
Feel free to consult more than
one paralegal and compare the results of the interviews. If told you are doing this a reputable paralegal will encourage you
to do so.
There you have it. Simply follow this easy roadmap and give yourself the greatest
possible protection at no initial cost.
Enjoy happy motoring and be safe,
Alan Barlow
|
