RZ Legal Services

Description

Small Claims Matters, Landlord and Tenant Disputes, Traffic Tickets and Criminal
Small Claims Matters Small Claims Court deals with civil disputes of any amount up to $25,000. The Small Claims Court deals with many disputes including unpaid loans, unpaid rent, property damage, breaches of contracts, personal injury among other legal proceedings. There are 3 types of damages: General Damages, Special Damages, and Punitive Damages that can produce remedies. After receiving a judgement in your favour by a court order you may need to take steps in enforcing that order by garnishment or other means. Landlord and Tenant Disputes Lease or tenancy agreement is the contract between a tenant and their landlord. Disputes over the agreement is governed by a provincial statute and heard at the Landlord and Tenant Board which is a mostly informal environment with the option of mediation and recoverable costs. Disputes arise over landlord’s responsibility over repairs of the rental unit, abandonment of the rental unit by the tenant, entry by the landlord without proper notice, subletting and assignments, or terminating the tenancy agreement. Traffic Tickets and other Provincial Offenses These include Careless or Stunt Driving, Red Light tickets, Speeding, Driving while Suspended, Not Wearing a Seat Belt among other offenses. The onus is always on the Crown to prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Parking tickets and demerit points all cause a nuisance and traffic offenses can increase your insurance bill – its important to fight each and everyone of these tickets. Summary Criminal Charges A paralegal may represent someone in a criminal matter as long as it is a summary offense where the maximum penalty does not exceed six months’ imprisonment. In criminal law the accused is presumed to be innocent thus, the crown needs to prove all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt for the accused to be found guilty – a pretty high standard in the eyes of the court. Case precedence is vital to your case since similar cases are treated in a similar way. We raise every defense possible or plea bargain with the Crown while highlighting any mitigating circumstances. RZ Legal Services serves the following locations: Toronto - Etobicoke - Mississauga - Brampton - Milton - Caledon - Richmond Hill - Vaughan - North York - Scarborough - Oakville - Windsor. Call us Today at 647.898.2420. Visit www.JusticeParalegals.ca for Case Studies and Useful Links and legal information database! http://justiceparalegals.ca/links/ http://justiceparalegals.ca/referrals/ http://justiceparalegals.ca/contact/ http://justiceparalegals.ca/case-studies-3/ WHY A PARALEGAL? ACCESS TO JUSTICE: The people of Ontario are given access to justice for all of their legal disputes however, it’s no secret legal fees are costly for the majority of the working and middle class. The appeal of self-representation is diminishing due to the increasingly likelihood of trained lawyers and paralegals on the opposing side. Giving paralegals legal standing in Ontario builds confidence in the legal justice system for the people who seek an alternative to paying steep lawyer fees. Like lawyers, paralegals must abide by the ethical standards imposed by the Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC). Paralegals are regulated and disciplined by the LSUC and thus, carry Errors and Omissions Insurance before they take on any clients. The main difference between a lawyer and a paralegal stems from their educational background. Lawyers attend Law school where they learn all matters of the law in an academic style whereas, paralegals receive a College education that is more hands on and practice centered in the legal field. The training builds them to start their own practice upon graduation and provide legal service to the public, hence, the fear over the quality of service by paralegals are erroneous. Since 2006, in order to become licensed, a paralegal must successfully complete a two-year accredited college program as well as pass a licensing exam. Paralegals can fully represent you in the following types of matters (more info regarding the specific areas are found in the “Services” tab): Litigation in Small Claims Court (Limit of $25,000) Traffic and other offences heard in the Ontario Court of Justice under the Provincial Offences Act Hearings before tribunals (e.g. the Landlord and Tenant Board or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) – Complete list of Tribunals are found in the “Links” page Summary criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada Statutory Accidents Benefits claim except a claim where an individual suffered catastrophic impairment within the meaning of the Statutory Accidents Benefits Schedule What’s important to note is that compared to the alternative – self representation – a paralegal is a far better option. A paralegal will be able to bring his/her specialized knowledge and expertise to help you resolve your matters in a professional and cost-effective manner. Similarities with Lawyers: Both require a License from the Law Society of Upper Canada Both have Errors and Omissions Insurance Both abide by the rules of Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interests Lawyers and Paralegals who are providing legal services must complete Continuing Professional Development classes Good Character Requirement Access to Justice & What it Means? The needs of the public are of the utmost importance to build confidence in the legal system. Concerns are raised over the accessibility to the justice system is not as available to the majority middle and lower class as it is to the upper class causing many people to represent themselves. Self-representation definitely has cost benefits compared to retaining legal representation however, many untrained minds are in risk of getting lost in the intricate language and procedures. This leaves people at a severe disadvantage that outweighs the potential cost benefits. Paralegals receive training in negotiation and mediation when they receive an Alternative Dispute Resolution Certificate. They are trained to approach the legal system in a practical manner where the scope is limited to certain legal services such as Small Claims ($25,000 or less), Provincial offenses (traffic tickets),Criminal offenses where the Crown elects to proceed Summarily, Tribunals(WSIAT, Landlord and Tenant Board, Immigration and Refugee Board etc.) and Personal injury. They have been taught the procedures and the language needed to understand the legal system. They are able to provide an access to justice for people who find it impossible to navigate within the strict rules of court. Although the nature of the justice system is unpredictable, the preparation for a trial or a settlement conference is greater with professional and trained representation.