Law Clerk
Ontario College Diploma
Core Information
Overview
This program is designed to train students to become Law Clerks to assist lawyers in private law offices and in legal departments of government and industry. Students acquire an understanding of the general principles of law and receive specific training in the skills required to work in these environments.
Graduates may find employment with law firms and in legal departments of corporations and government agencies.
Please Note: As the program is continually being updated, requirements for completion may change from time to time in accordance with the College's Academic Policy. It is the student's responsibility to review the program requirements every semester.
Information Session
New students are invited to attend an information session.
Accelerated Program
If you have graduated from a Canadian University or Community College where the language of instruction is English and provide us with an official transcript showing you have graduated, you may be accepted into the Accelerated Law Clerk Program, and may be exempted from three General Education requirements and Communicating Across Contexts, COM101/COM111. For details on applying for transfer credits, please visit the Office of the Registrar's Transfer Credit Request website.
Program Progression
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that courses are taken in the correct sequence in order to meet prerequisite requirements. Students who take courses out of sequence should be aware that if they do not have the proper prerequisites they can be withdrawn at any time during the semester and incur financial and/or academic penalties. Students should not register for courses for which they do not have the prerequisites. Contact the Program Coordinator to discuss your situation if you are uncertain as to which courses to take.
Students are expected to complete the four modules in sequence, and complete their field
placement after successful completion of all 4 modules. General Education courses can be taken at
any time in the program.
Entry Requirements
Studying at a Communicating Across Contexts (COM101/COM111) level based on the English Assessment, result or Advanced Standing. Students cannot register for LXS111: Introduction to the Legal System in the Law Clerk program without prior completion of or registration in COM101/COM111.
Prerequisites
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Due to COVID-19, all Part-time Studies courses are being offered online until further notice, in one of the following two formats: online virtual classroom and online self-directed. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Curriculum
Diploma Requirements
Placement via English Assessment, or successful completion of ESL934.
COM101 replaces EAC 150.
Students who have successfully completed EAC 150 are not required to complete COM101.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Placement via English Assessment
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centred on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferrable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Completion of, or placement in COM101/COM111, based on the results of the English Assessment or advanced standing.
This course introduces students to important elements of the Canadian legal system. Topics include an introduction to the nature of law, the sources of law, the legal system, the court system, the legal profession, the Canadian Constitution, the Charter of Rights, human rights legislation, and methods of analysis.
This course introduces the students to two basic areas of the law, namely contracts and torts. Contracts form the foundation of commerce in today's complex society. In this segment of the course the student learns what a contract is, when it is valid, how it may end, how a party deals with breach of contract, and the role of the courts in enforcing contracts and awarding damages for their breach. In the segment dealing with torts, the student learns about various aspects of tort law, with a particular focus on negligence, liability without fault, tort damages and common statutory torts.
Completion of, or placement in COM101/COM111, based on the results of the English Assessment or advanced standing.
This introduction to real estate law covers Ontario land registration systems and specific interests in land. Topics include a review of the relevant legal documents; government controls on the use and disposition of land; registered owner status and relevant statutes and title searching in both the Land Titles and Registry systems.
Completion of, or placement in COM101/COM111, based on the results of the English Assessment or advanced standing.
Students are introduced to the legal office environment including legal terminology, areas of law, professional organizations, law office accounting and records management. Students learn how to prepare legal correspondence and legal documents common to many areas of law such as Powers of Attorney, Statutory Declarations and Affidavits. Students also learn how to prepare accounts, trust ledger statements and dockets manually and by using PC Law. Students must obtain an average net keyboarding speed of 50 wpm on three five-minute timed writings to graduate from the Seneca Law Clerk Diploma program.
This course introduces the student to the civil litigation process in Ontario, beginning with a descriptive overview of the process from the commencement of proceedings to the end of the trial. Students then study in detail the process through to the close of pleadings, focusing on the rules of procedure and on practical tasks often undertaken by law clerks, including opening files, interviewing clients and drafting pleadings and affidavits of service.
Students are introduced to the legal document production process through the use of advanced Microsoft Word and produce a variety of legal documents in a number of legal areas including creating jurats for Affidavits of Service, Statutory Declarations, Factums, and a Motion Record. Students are also introduced to the various advanced functions of PC Law.
This course introduces students to the various types of business organizations including sole proprietorships and corporations. It examines the process of incorporation, the changes to corporate structure and the roles of directors, officers and shareholders of a corporation.
All 100 level courses.
Family Law I is the first of two sequential family law courses which integrate substantive law and theory with practical skills that law clerks require in a family law practice. The course examines divorce, support, custody, access, court procedures and the preparation of relevant family law documents.
All 200 level courses.
This course is a continuation of LXC212 and examines the rights and remedies of secured and unsecured creditors of a corporation, and the enforcement of security interests. It also covers agency relationships, the concept of a trust, the termination of a corporation's existence and the purchase and sale of a business and how to carry out a bulk sale under the Bulk Sales Act.
All 200 level courses.
This course is a continuation of LXD 211, Litigation I, examining procedural rules, proceedings, processes and documents from discovery through to trial in the Superior Court. In addition, this course examines special procedures including the commercial list, simplified procedure, Toronto Case Management and mandatory mediation, and commencement of appeals.
All 200 level courses.
This course continues the legal document production process through the use of Word for Windows, stored document/disk packages, and dedicated legal software: Summation (Automated Civil Litigation), Fast Company and Divorcemate.
All 200 level courses.
In this course students are taken through the steps of a standard residential real estate transaction from receipt of the agreement of purchase and sale through closing and post-closing. Students learn the additional procedures involved in the purchase of a new home, the purchase of a condominium, and the purchase of a cottage property. Students also learn about the procedures involved in the sale of a property under power of sale and are introduced to landlord and tenant law.
All 200 level courses.
This course builds upon the substantive law base learned in Family Law I, focusing on practical skills required by law clerks in a family law practice. This course examines matrimonial property rights, financial statements, procedure on a property claim, separation agreements, enforcement of orders, and variation and indexing of orders.
All 300 level courses.
This course is a study of the laws and procedures concerning the drafting of wills, powers of attorney and estate administration in Ontario. The first part of this course concentrates on the laws relating to testacy and intestacy and basic will drafting. The remainder of the course examines aspects of estate administration including administration prior to obtaining a certificate, estate certificates, asset administration, passing of accounts, income tax returns and powers of attorney.
This course provides students with an introduction to legal research and basic techniques of good legal writing. Students develop the skills necessary to analyze simple legal problems and to research basic legal questions. Students learn how to find and update primary sources of law using both paper and computerized sources. Students learn how to read, interpret and apply statutes, regulations and cases. Emphasis is placed on Ontario and federal law.
All 300 level courses.
An introduction to debt collection procedures including commencement of proceedings, obtaining default judgment, enforcing judgments and orders, Small Claims Court actions, and documenting debt settlements.
All 300 level courses.
This course gives students an opportunity to continue to develop their Advanced Word and document formatting skills. Students use PCLaw and Estate-A-Base.
All Law Clerk Courses and Approval of Field Placement Coordinator
Students spend 10 business days acquiring learning skills in a legal setting and must work under the supervision of a licensed lawyer. Students must find their own placement opportunity and have this approved by the field placement coordinator before registering for the course.
Students spend an additional 10 business days refining and acquiring further learning skills in a legal setting and must work under the supervision of a licensed lawyer. Students must find their own placement opportunity and have this approved by the field placement coordinator before registering for the course.
General Education Requirements
In order to meet Seneca's breadth requirements for diploma or advanced diploma programs, students must successfully complete at least 3 General Education courses toward their program, satisfying the following criteria:
- Completion of 1 course from Arts & Humanities;
- Completion of 1 course from Sciences & Social Sciences; and
- Completion of 1 course chosen from either category above.
Note that CAN271 Law and the Citizen cannot be used as General Education credits in this program.
Keyboarding Speed Requirement
Typing speed will be tested in LXY234, LXY324 and LXY434 or PRE022. The Law Clerk program requires students to demonstrate an average net keyboarding speed of 50 nwpm on 3 five minute timed writings with 5 errors or less in order to graduate.
Graduation Requirements
- Students are required to achieve an average keyboarding speed of at least 50 nwpm on 3 five minute timed writings, with 5 errors or less.
- Successful completion of the curriculum plus two field placements, totalling 20 days, FPL330 and FPL430.
Field Placement
Prior to registering for field placement or for field placement enquiries please email Rosanna Latino. A satisfactory criminal record check may be required for some field placements. Students cannot register for FPLs until all professional courses have been completed - no exceptions will be made.
Program Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- Support the needs of clients and legal professionals through the use of accurate terminology and professional communication strategies, both orally and in writing.
- Complete all work within routine and unexpected time lines and limitation periods within the legal environment.
- Use current and relevant electronic and print resources, within the legal environment, to conduct legal research, to assist with file and evidentiary management, to facilitate communication and generate legal documentation, complying with current regulations and procedures.
- Research and summarize the presenting legal issues, applying knowledge of substantive law, to support the legal team.
- Apply rules of procedure to support best legal practices.
- Conduct oneself professionally in adherence to the guidelines of the Law Society of Ontario.
- Carry out clerical and administrative duties for the operation of a variety of legal environments.
- Outline strategies for ongoing professional development to ensure continuing competence as a Law Clerk.
- Act equitably and justly with diverse populations.
- Provide support for legal professionals in courts and administrative tribunals within the legal system.
OSAP Funding Available
This program is eligible for OSAP funding.
Course load is used by OSAP to determine funding options for programs.
If you are taking 1 - 2 courses at the same time, you may be considered for part-time student grants and loans.
- 1 course (20%)
- 2 courses (40%)
If you are taking 3 or more courses at the same time, you may be considered for full-time student grants and loans.
- 3 courses (60%)
- 4 courses (80%)
- 5 courses (100%)
To find out if you qualify and to learn how to apply, please visit the OSAP website.
For information on other awards and financial assistance, please see Financial Aid.
Graduation/Convocation
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October) and Spring (June).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at 416-491-5050 ext. 77461.
Minimum Performance for Graduation
Students will only be eligible to graduate with a Seneca College certificate or diploma if they have maintained an overall good standing in their current program of study. Students in degree programs will be eligible to graduate when they have obtained an average of C (2.5 GPA) in courses in the main field of study, and an average of C (2.0 GPA) in all other courses.
Program Contacts
Annie Kirkham
Program Assistant
Annie.Kirkham@senecacollege.ca
416-491-5050 ext.22536
Barbara Pimenoff
Program Coordinator
Barbara.Pimenoff@senecacollege.ca
416-491-5050 ext.24019
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.
Information Session
New students are invited to attend an information session.