Frequently Asked Questions

In Ontario, Paralegals are Licensed members of the Law Society, no different than a Lawyer. However, Paralegals are only permitted to assist and provide legal services in specific situations, such as a Tribunal (Like the Landlord and Tenant Board or Human Rights), some Criminal Matters being proceeded under summary procedure, Provincial Offences Court (like Driving offences, Building code, or Liquor Licensing) and The Small Claims Court. At YLS we have both Lawyers and Paralegals on staff to assist you no matter what your legal need is, or what help you may require in the future.

A retainer is NOT payment in advance, instead a Retainer is security for a Law or Legal Services Firm against future billings. When a firm requests a retainer that money is held “In Trust” and drawn off of at that representatives hourly rate in accordance with their bill.

A disbursement is a fee outside of Legal Fees to pay your Lawyer or Paralegal. Disbursements are additional charges that are accumulated throughout your matter, such as a Court Filing Fee, or a fee to have someone served with paperwork on your behalf.

Unlike some firms, where only specific areas of law or legal services are provided, a Full Service Firm allows a client the benefit of having a “one-stop-shop” for all of their legal needs. This is beneficial because you can avoid having 1 Representative for their Real Estate, 1 for their Business needs, 1 licensee for the Traffic Tickets, and a completely separate office for their potential divorce proceedings.

A Full Service Firm has all of your representatives and needs covered under 1 roof, with all of your representatives working hand in hand to not only get you the best outcome for each individual matter, but ensure that all of the angles are accounted for.