About the Paralegal Cup Moot:

^{Paralegal Cup Prizes: Errol Sue Professionalism Prize, Michael Turvey Memorial Prize, Distinguished Advocates, Prep Network Top Advocate, Emond Montgomery Prize.}

Ontario Paralegals: A Limited Scope License To Offer Legal Services

The passage of Ontario’s Access to Justice Act 2006 created Ontario’s paralegal license. In 2007, the Law Society of Ontario assumed regulation over paralegals. By 2008, Ontario licensed its first ‘licensed paralegals” undertaking a new era of access to justice.

Since 2008, paralegals most significant contribution to this era of Access to Justice may be how paralegals have created representation in legal matters previously under-serviced by lawyers. Prior to regulation, Ontarians were generally expected to advocate for themselves in potentially complex (albeit less formal than Superior Court) applications and disputes before municipalities, authorities and tribunals. Paralegal licensees’ contributions to Ontario are difficult quantify but numerous and undoubtedly important for their clients.

^{Judges and Supporters: Paralegals Elaine Page, Jim Moak, Janet Wigle Vence, Robert Butler, Cathy Corsetti, Michelle Haigh, Cheryl Sereny, Michael Benoit, Brian Lawrie}

Founding The Paralegal Cup:

The Paralegal Cup was founded in 2013 to bridge a mentoring, camaraderie and a skills competition deficit among Ontario paralegal students and professionals. Humber Polytechnic Paralegal Studies degree students Doug, Fallon and Karen supported by Associate Dean James Cullin, partnered with the Paralegal Society of Ontario (now Ontario Paralegal Association) to develop an educational event for students connecting them to mentors. We celebrate paralegal talent, success and unquantifiable contributions to our administrative and legal systems.

The Paralegal Cup is a substantive and professional educational exercise connecting students enrolled in an accredited paralegal program by the Law Society of Ontario with professionals.

^{The Paralegal Cup 2013 Steering Committee and Time Keepers: Top: Ashley, Michelle, Doug, Fallon, Karen, Carolina. Bottom: Kashana, Tara, Eimy, Sara}

2016 Paralegal Cup Moot Partnership With The Law Society of Ontario Osgoode Hall
In 2016, the the Law Society of Ontario kindly hosted the 2016 Paralegal Cup at Osgoode Hall located at 130 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N6. We are thankful to former CEO of the LSO Robert Lapper, the Paralegal Standing Committee and the LSO staff for sharing their beautiful venue.

^{2016 Paralegal Cup: Opening Ceremonies at Convocation Hall at Osgoode Hall, Toronto Ontario.}

The Paralegal Cup Revival:

The Paralegal Cup was revived in 2025 and returned to Humber’s Lakeshore Campus.

The 2026 Paralegal Cup will be hosted at Humber Polytechnic’s Lakeshore Campus on May 9th and May 10 2026.

To visit our archives, please visit http://www.paralegalcup.ca.

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