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Canadian Association of Paralegals - CAP

CAP is a national association, incorporated on May 22, 1980 by Letters Patent, under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act , under the legal name Canadian Association of Legal Assistants ⁄ Association canadienne des assistants juridiques.

On November 16, 1982, Supplementary Letters Patent were issued in order to amend the French version of CAP’s legal name to Association canadienne des adjoints juridiques.

Further Supplementary Letters Patent were issued on July 3, 2002, in order to amend CAP’s name to its current name Canadian Association of Paralegals (CAP) ⁄ Association canadienne des parajuristes (CAP).

The choice of the “paralegal” designation was intended to standardize the various designations used in the job market (legal assistant, legal technician, technical clerk, law clerk, etc.) and to facilitate international exchange with paralegal associations in other countries.

A “paralegal” is an individual qualified through education, training or work experience, who is employed or whose services have been retained by a legal professional, law firm, governmental agency, private or public corporation or other entity in a capacity or function which involves the performance, under the supervision of a legal professional, of substantive legal work, which may include administrative or managerial duties, requiring sufficient knowledge of legal concepts.

Currently, CAP has over 2000 members across Canada and its 6 directors and officers represent several Canadian provinces.

CAP members, directors and officers are governed by its by-laws, as amended from time to time, and a code of ethics, in addition to various operating policies and position statements as may be adopted by the board of directors, from time to time.

View By-Laws

View Letters Patent

Our mission

  • To promote the paralegal profession;
  • To provide support and an exchange of ideas between colleagues and members, in order to better the skills of the paralegals;
  • To offer continuing education, such as conferences, seminars and discussion groups;
  • To supply valuable information to paralegals useful in their field of practice, law firms, private businesses, Canadian public corporations and others.

Code of ethics

  • A member must practice his profession under the supervision of a legal professional.
  • A member must represent himself as a paralegal in all dealings with third parties.
  • A member shall not give legal opinions.
  • A member must carry out all professional duties with integrity.
  • A member shall achieve and maintain a high level of competence.
  • A member must respect the secrecy of confidential information and take reasonable care of documents and other property in his custody.
  • A member must at all times safeguard professional independence and avoid any situation in which he would be in conflict of interest.
  • A member’s conduct should be characterized by courtesy and good faith.
  • A member shall contribute to the development of the profession through the exchange of knowledge and experience with colleagues and by participating to continuing education programs.