When dealing with the legal system, traffic court and tickets, sometimes it is hard to keep track of all the new terms and definitions. We have compiled a small list to help you understand the jargon of the legal system a little bit better.
Law Society of Upper Canada: The Law Society of Upper Canada is an organization that regulates lawyers and paralegals in Ontario. This organization regulates, licenses and disciplines over 49 000 lawyers and 7900 paralegals in Ontario.
Paralegal: In Ontario, paralegals do not need to attend law school, but they do need to be licensed and are regulated by the Law Society of Upper Canada. Paralegals must complete an approved legal services program in Ontario and successfully complete the Law Society’s Paralegal Licensing examinations and receive a diploma. (We wrote a whole blog about the differences between paralegals and lawyers that you can read here)
Lawyer: Lawyers in Ontario must have an undergraduate degree and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or the equivalent of those. They must also successfully complete the proper Licensing Examinations, and Articling Program
Justice of the Peace (JP): Justices of the peace are appointed by the provincial government. Quite often, a justice of the peace is the first person from the legal system you will meet in connection with an offence under the Highway Traffic Act, or an offence to do with smoking by-laws or liquor licence by-laws. You address a Justice of the Peace as “Your Worship”.
Judge: Judges are also appointed by the provincial government. Judges hear criminal, youth and family trials, and sometimes provincial offences matters, without a jury. The judge is responsible for both the weighing of the evidence and the final decision. You address a judge as “Your Honour”.
Provincial Offences Act (POA): The POA is a set of regulations that determines procedures for how offences under other provincial statutes, regulations and municipal by-laws are prosecuted. This includes the Highway Traffic Act. Municipalities are responsible for the administration of courts hearing POA matters and the prosecution of certain POA cases on behalf of the Attorney General
Victim Fine Surcharge: On every non-parking fine under the Provincial Offences Act, there is a victim fine surcharge.The provincial government adds this and it is deposited into a special fund to help victims of crime. Usually the VFS is 20 per cent of the imposed fine.
