This web site provides information of interest to the general public and to Nova Scotian Legal Assistants and Paralegals who work in law firms, government positions and companies' legal departments.
On this web site Legal Assistant and Paralegal are used interchangeably. A Legal Assistant is a professional employee working under the direction and supervision of lawyers in the delivery of legal services. Legal Assistants draft legal documents, maintain files and records, format and organize documents for submission to court, do legal research, property transactions and perform other tasks assigned by a lawyer. Through formal education, training and experience, they have knowledge and expertise of the legal system. A Legal Assistant cannot give legal advice.
In Nova Scotia, some Legal Assistants and Paralegals work independently as property title searchers -- tracing ownership of land and buildings, although ultimately a lawyer is responsible for the work that the title searcher or Legal Assistant produces.
In future this page (presently under construction) will have more links to legal sources, particularly legal research sites. Other links will be in the following areas:
Below are three tables; the first outlines where Canadian paralegals work. The second table gives salary information by age group. The third table contains hourly wage earnings for Nova Scotia paralegals and other related occupations. (Legal secretaries are not included in this category).
Nova Scotia paralegals' earnings in general are lower in comparison to the average Canadian paralegal wage. Paralegals working in major law firms and in paralegal firms may earn more.� � � � �
| Canadian Paralegal Work Sites | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Services | 59.5% | Business Services | 6.5% |
| Provincial and Territorial Administration | 6.5% | Advertising Services | 6.4% |
| Federal Administration | 2.9% | Finance and Insurance and Real Estate | 2.6% | Other Service Industries | 2.9% |
| Canadian Paralegal Earnings by Age Group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low | (20-29) $23,200 | Average | (20-29) $31,400 | High | (20-29) $37,700 |
| Low | (30-39) $30,300 | Average | (30-39) $41,300 | High | (30-39) $50,400 |
| Low | (40-49) $33,000 | Average | (40-49) $48,300 | High | (40-49) $57,400 |
| Halifax and Nova Scotia Hourly Earnings for Paralegal and Related Occupations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Average | High | Most Common |
| Halifax Area � $6.25 | $11.72 | $17.58 | $12.50-$15.00 |
| Nova Scotia � $5.94 | $11.51 | $18.53 | $6.50-$8.75 |
| Unionized: $12.31-$17.42 | |||
| My Note: The hourly rate for Legal Secretaries in (Nova Scotia $7.50-$10.00; Halifax $13.75-$16.25) generally is higher than wage rates for Paralegals. There are fewer paralegals than Legal Secretaries in N.S., which could account for the lower salary comparisons. | |||
| Source: � � The three tables above were made from information available at the web site for:Human Resources Development Canada |
Organizations
Canadian Association of Legal Assistants (CALA) Information about membership, events, newletters in English and French. Paralegal Society of Ontario News and Events, Links, Member Directory, Membership. There is an interesting report on consulations with the Ministry of Attorney General (Ontario) and the Canadian Bar Association - "Framework for Regulating Paralegal Practice in Ontario."Education
Paralegal Services, Nova Scotia Community College A two year diploma program for Paralegals given at the Akerley (Dartmouth) and the Cumberland (Springhill) colleges. Paralegal Technology, University College of Cape Breton Three year university program for Paralegals given in Sydney.| Links | |
|---|---|
| Legal Research | |
| How To Research, Electronic Research, Statutory Research, Other Jurisdictions | Best Guide to Canadian Legal Research |
| Case Law, Legislation, Computers and the Law, Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Newsletters, Miscellaneous Topics | Canadian Legal Resources on the WWW |
| Technology and E-Commerce Law, Legal Directories, Organizations, Intellectual Property Searches, Canadian Law, Lookups and Miscellaneous topics | Alan Gahtan's Canadian Legal Resources |
| Canadian Law Schools, Researching Law, Articles on-line | JURIST Canada: The Legal Education Network |
| Nova Scotia | |
| Registry of Joint Stock Database Search, NS Business Registry, NS Property Information, Information Services, Municipal Relations, Consumer Services | Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations |
| Departments, Agencies, Employee Contact Search, Employment Opportunities, order Government Publications, Other Government Resources | Government of Nova Scotia |
| Courses, Publications (Legal Education Courses) | The Continuing Legal Education Society of Nova Scotia |
| Dalhousie Law School Library (Hours, Services) | Sir James Dunn Law Library |
| Bills, Statutes of Nova Scotia, Statues and Regulations of Canada, Nova Scotia Regulations | Office of the Legislative Counsel |
| Information about the Practice of Law in Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Barristers' Society |
Canada | |
| News and Events, Canada Justice System, Programs and Services | Department of Justice Canada |
| People Finder, Canada Business Finder | Info Space Canada People Finder |
If you have any information you would like to share on these topics, or have comments on this web site, please send an e-mail to: [email protected]
Page text and design by Christine M. Trotter. � �Modified: 2000-11-05