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