Douglas Allen, Sr. Paralegal for Admin Advocacy-Services
Douglas Allen is an Advocate that Zealously Represents Businesses and Personal Interest in various Courts and Tribunals through out Ontario. If you are seeking strong representation, if an early resolution or the best deal is possible because of insurance or other considerations, consult with our Sr. Paralegal.
Kaitlyn Dumais, Paralegal Litigator, Director Shapiro Dumais
From what appears to be a simple speeding ticket that upon conviction rockets up your insurance rates to the most complex driving or accident charges we have the expertise to pursue Not Guilty Verdicts and protect your ability to drive. Professional Drivers and the CVOR Records of companies are at a greater risk these days as police powers expand and enforcement appears to target the most vulnerable. We should be the first call. Once having viewed your documentation we can give you an honest appraisal of of your risk. Not all police investigations are equal and we have won cases were we have been able to prove this to the court and receive a Not Guilty Verdict ask us about R. v Lal a professional driver who faced a five year driving suspension suspension and possible jail time.
You have paid high rates forever and now an event for which you should be insured. BUT DENIAL. Both of the original claim and the appeal and the silence. Courts are superior to an Insurance company and can make and enforce judgments against them but the path is complicated and time intensive. The first step is a detailed review of your documentation and the relevant case law.
STEP 1 – Email copies of you documents to new@advocacy-group.ca
id as required by the Law Society of Ontario.
Post Office Box
STEP 1 – Email copies of you documents to new@advocacy-group.ca
id as required by the Law Society of Ontario.
Post Office Box
Family Law is a very specialized area of law with unique rules, procedures and objectives.
Our Team takes a transparent
Not all By-Law investigations are equal and we have won cases were we have been able to prove this to the court and receive a Not Guilty Verdict ask us about … R. v Eagle the where Town of Caledon was forced to update their
Family Law is a very specialized area of law with unique rules, procedures and objectives.
Our Team takes a transparent
Small Claims is sometimes dismissed as a nuisance event. but with the Upward limit of $ 35,000 and credit reporting issues these days the Claim can have a greater impact on work time and expense money than was originally contemplated. Instead of wasting your time, with distracting procedures let a professional zealous represent you and your rights, reputation and credit history the whole way.t explaining what or how they do tings, If you are a person who feels the need for direct and constant communication with lead advocate or document drafter or lead investigator then we are not the team for you.
Accordion Content
STEP 1 – Email copies of you documents to new@advocacy-group.ca
id as required by the Law Society of Ontario.
Post Office Box
Investigative Retainer Agreement Additional Terms and Conditions
A Retainer Agreement is a work for hire contract. It falls between a one-time contract and full-time employment. It’s distinguishing features include:
- The understanding is that the entire scope of work for which the legal service providers are hired is undefined and not predictable at the time of engagement.
- The understanding that the agreement although defining the relationship between the client and the service providers is governed by many institutions not party to the contract including but not limited to The Law Society of Upper Canada, the Department of Justice, the Attorney General of Ontario and the Canadian Courts.
- An Investigative Retainer based on the understanding that in the interest of both the service provider and the client there is a No Fee Agreement for the service provider to investigate the circumstances of the matter to make sure there are no conflicts of interest, the client is still within the limitation periods and that the matter has a standing in Statue or Common Law.
- A Limited Scope Retainer, being the understanding that the provision by a Lawyer or Paralegal is for part but not all, of the client(s) legal matter further the parties participating in a limited scope retainer continue to be self represented parties before the court and that a limited scope retainer does not, in itself make the Lawyer or Paralegal the Advocate of Record. The Client understands that the Court considers the Party to be Self Represented.
- A Standard Retainer, being the understanding that the client pays in advance into a trust account for work to be specified later and the Paralegal / Lawyer become the Advocate of Record.
- A Unbundled Coaching Retainer, being the understanding that the legal service provides are providing consulting assistance including but not limited to the review of the relevant events and documents in the matter, the legal and procedural issues, preparation of documents and coaching the client via web tutorials and quizzes for the purpose of preparing the client for a hearing appearance.
- A Civil Law Matter Contingency Fee Retainer, where part of the legal service provider’s fees depend on the successful completion of the Civil Law matter (Criminal, Quasi Criminal, Family Matters or Landlord & Tenant Matters are excluded from Contingency agreements)
The fee includes services rendered and risk assumed. The Contingency is paid when and if a particular result is achieved
“Law Society” means The Law Society of Ontario; formerly known as The Law Society of Upper Canada/
“Lawyer” means a person licensed by the Law Society to practice law as a Barrister and Solicitor in Ontario and includes a candidate enrolled in the Law Society’s Licensing Process for lawyers;
Lawyers, are officers of the court and according to Black’s Law Dictionary, are also “person(s) learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law.”[1] Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political and social authority, and deliver justice. Working as a lawyer involves the practical application of abstract legal theories and knowledge to solve specific individualized problems, or to advance the interests of those who retain (i.e., hire) lawyers to perform legal services.
“Paralegal” means a person licensed by the Law Society to provide legal services in Ontario; Paralegals are persons in the Province of Ontario, who are officers of the court (i.e. considered a formal part of the legal system). Paralegals in Ontario are licensed and regulated by the Law Society of Ontario, which also regulates and provides licenses for all lawyers in Ontario. The Law Society began issuing the first paralegal licences to grandparent applicants who fulfilled all the necessary licensing requirements (including insurance) in April 2008. A paralegal license allows a paralegal to independently represent clients in provincial offences court, summary conviction criminal court, small claims court and administrative tribunals such as the Financial Services Commission of Ontario or the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Paralegals in Ontario work in the areas of permitted practice for paralegals and also work alongside lawyers in areas of practice that are only permitted to be practiced by lawyers.
It is illegal for paralegals in Ontario to independently practice in an area of law that is permitted only for lawyers. An example of this is family law, or an indictable offence in criminal law.
“Law Clerk(s)” are persons who are employed on a case by case basis and are directly supervised and report only to a member of the Law Society of Ontario.
“Personalized Security Package” means the diskette, key, RSA token, token number and/or personalized e-reg™ pass phrase to access the system for the electronic registration of title documents or a Personalized Hyperlink to a GDrive account that holds documents relevant to your case. Your personalized link will be emailed to you, don’t share it with anyone.
“Associate” means a Paralegal or Lawyer who practices law or provides legal services as an employee or a dependent contractor or contractor of a law firm but excludes Paralegals or Lawyers that have their own separate and distinct practices with their own separate and distinct clients.
“Affiliate” means any person or group of persons who on a regular basis provide support services in the delivery or promotion of the delivery of legal service.
“Agents” unlicensed persons who provide services are employed as clerks or investigators for Advocacy-Services, contribute to the work product of the firm and are covered by privilege.
“Intake Agent” the person to whom you tell your story, who copies and organizes the documents, records and creates the event list and reviews the retainer agreement with the client.
“Group Members” are Law Clerks and other Administrative Personnel employed by and supervised by members of the Law Society of Ontario and work with the Advocacy-Group on a case by case basis. As supervised employees of a Member of the Law Society of Ontario the Client’s ability to maintain the Clients right to confidentiality in the presence of members of the Advocacy-Group is a right in Law.
A “Private Investigator” is a person, who is licenced by the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services to perform work, for remuneration, that consists of conducting investigations in order to provide information, on the character or actions of a person, a business
or of an employee. Further to perform searches for persons or property. To speak with clients, record their stories and report back their findings to members of the Law Society of Ontario. To accompany Clients to meetings or hearings and report back on events to members of the Law Society of Ontario
A “Security Guard” also known as a bodyguard or a person engaged on a protection detail is a person, who is licenced by Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services to perform work, for remuneration, that includes the guarding of a person including accompanying them to meetings and to hearings. Further the scope of work authorized via the licence issued by the Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services includes performing services to prevent the loss of property through theft or sabotage in an industrial, commercial, residential or retail environment.
A “Dual Licence” can be issued to a person for both Private Investigations and Security Guard work”
An “Urban Planner” is a professional who practices in the field of urban planning including but not limited to land use planning, development and subdivision planning. Regulation of land use and development is achieved via the drafting and adoption of planning instruments designed to influence the land use and built form goals of the jurisdiction. The planning instruments take the form of legislation and policy, and have a wide variety of terms across jurisdictions including acts and regulations, rules, codes, schemes, plans, policies, and manuals; and often a combination of some of these. The planning instruments often spatially zone land or reserve the land for certain purposes, presented in the form of a zoning map or plan. The planner is tasked with reviewing planning instruments and zoning plans. Further, given urban development is rarely static and the goals of urban planning change from time to time, the planner will be responsible for tracking the continuously changing planning instruments and zoning plans to ensure clients applications are current.
UPDATES
The status of your file and the documents that are essential to your matter can be upon a written request via email to info@advocacy-grroup.ca
INQUIRIES
In today’s complex business climate with The Advocacy-Group covering many different courts on different days and despite cell phone advantages, the best way to inquire about a specific file will be to e-mail a request for information to info@Advocacy-Group.org with sufficient information to identify the matter, and the requestor of information. We will do our best to respond by reply e-mail within 24 hours but not later than 72 hours.
FEES
If your request for information or a document copy requires no more than 2 pages there will be no fee.
If your request is complex, requires detailed information or a series of documents, the fees for that retrieval is $ 150.00 per hour.
CELL PHONE, E-MAIL & FAX TRANSMISSIONS
I understand that Cell Phone Conversations, e-mail communication and fax transmissions are not secure at best, but in today’s complex business climate I agree that the need for quicker communication is a reasonable and managed risk with regards to the use of the above media.
As an added precaution please add the following to e-mail and fax transmissions.
This Transmission and any files transmitted with it are confidential and subject to Solicitor / Paralegal and client privilege. This Transmission is intended solely for the use of the individual or the entity to whom it is addressed. If you have received this Transmission in error please notify the sender immediately. (By e-mail at info@advocacy-group.org or by phone at (647) 207-4437). If you have received this Transmission by mistake please delete this e-mail from your system or shred the fax. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.
It is understood and agreed that the need for quicker communication is a reasonable and managed risk and it is further understand that sometimes spelling and grammatical errors which are inherent with inputting to a mobile device will appear in those Location Report.
I also understand and agree that future actions that may be contemplated in these location reports may be altered or revised as new events happen.
I authorize the following Note to be included in location reports sent directly to my e-mail:
NOTE – This report was generated while on location and may contain spelling and grammatical errors inherent with mobile devices. Future actions that may be contemplated in this report may be altered or revised as new events happen.
If you require further information or a clarification of anything contained herein please make those notes on a reply email and send to info@advocacy-group.org
DETAILED REPORTS
Detailed reports are available upon request, pursuant to the appropriate pricelist. The detailed report differs from the location reports in that it is more formal and on the letterhead. The case manager and the appropriate trial agent or trial lawyer will review the location report, the steps in the proceeding and any questions or inquiries from the client based on the location report and then prepare a detailed report. This however could take several days or several weeks depending on the level of review, the participants schedule and the type and number of questions or inquiries from the client to be included in a detailed report.
REPORTS AND INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION
I understand that the Team Approach requires that the group including the Case Manager, Administrative Support People, and Team Affiliates who are assigned to the file review the file from time to time, share updates and information as between the group.
Overview
The paralegal, and all other employees of the paralegal firm, owe the duty of confidentiality to every client. A paralegal must ensure that his or her employees, and anyone involved with the client’s matter, understand the duty of confidentiality as set out in the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Disclosure of confidential information may be authorized by the client.
A paralegal’s duty of loyalty to a client prohibits the paralegal from using any client information for a purpose other than serving the client in accordance with the terms of this retainer. A paralegal cannot disclose client information to serve another client or for his or her own benefit.
The obligation to protect client information extends to information that is either relevant or irrelevant to the matter for which the paralegal is retained. The source of the information does not matter; information could be received from the client or from others. The information may come in any form – the spoken word, paper, computer documents, e-mails, audio or video recordings. The obligation also extends to the client’s papers and property, the client’s identity and the fact that the client has consulted us to retain the paralegal. The rules provide that the duty of confidentiality last indefinitely. The duty continues even after the client or former client dies.
The rules provide for the following procedures:
- recording the identity and particulars of every client or potential client
- screening for conflicts of interest with a potential client, at first contact with the firm
- a second screening prior to his or her disclosure of confidential information to the firm
- acknowledgment of the communication policies contained within this retainer
- returning all client original documentation after copying same for the file
- at the close of the file, destruction of all paper documentation within the file
- at the close of the file, maintaining a PDF or Word format copy of the entire file contents
In today’s complex business climate, it is an important element for the legal service provider to know the identity of his clients. The Law Society of Ontario has issued a number of rules and guidelines with regards to client identification. The following is an excerpt from by law 7.1 of the Law Society of Ontario:
“Identification and verification of the identity of the client. This involves identifying and verifying the identity of both the client and also certain third parties associated with the client. Identification refers to the basic information that is unique about your client and a third-party to know who they are whenever you are retained, such as their name and address. You do this by obtaining and reviewing an original government issued identification of that person that is valid and has not expired such as a driver’s license or passport.”
Upon a decision by the client to terminate the firm’s services, the client will have to notify the firm in writing of the termination. Verbal notices are of no effect and will not be accepted. If the Retainer Agreement is terminated in writing prior to the Block Service being completed, or if the Block Fees are not paid as per the terms of the Invoice, then the firm will bill according to the Individual Service Fees and or Hourly Fees as outlined.
Upon a break down in communication, Unethical Behavior or request for Unethical Behaviour or Non Payment of Fees or lack of communication with the client, the firm can make a decision to terminate the firm’s services to the client and will provide a full statement of accounts and notify the client in writing of the termination. If the Retainer Agreement is terminated in writing prior to the Block Service being completed, or if the Block Fees are not paid as per the terms of the Invoice, then the firm will bill according to the Individual Service Fees and or Hourly Fees as outlined in the schedules attached hereto.
I understand that during the investigation phase which is covered by this agreement. No Fees are Chargeable. Should I wish to move the matter forward and engaged the services of a Member of The Law Society of Ontario, I understand that a new retainer agreement will be required, which may require a Fee Agreement.
I understand that in a Standard Retainer Agreement, Fees charged by Advocacy-Services and the Team are based on a blend of work done / services provided and responsibilities assumed. Fees are divided between Law Society of Ontario licensee holders such as between two Solicitors or between one Paralegal and one Solicitor.
I understand that when Advocacy-Services can charge an Hourly Rate and that rate is
$ 100.00 per hour for services rendered by a Paralegal pursuant to:
Koliniotis v. Tri Level Claims Consultants Ltd., 2005 CanLII 28417 (ON C.A.)
I understand that the various Barristers and Solicitors who work with the Advocacy-Group, charge between $ 275.00 per hour and $ 500.00 per hour for services rendered
(fees are determined by the individual Barrister and Solicitor and charged by the Individual Barrister and Solicitor).
I understand that the Individual Service Fees charged by Advocacy-Services and the Advocacy-Group are based on a blend of work done / services provided and responsibilities assumed. Each Individual Service fee is a fixed amount for a specific service which will not increase no matter how long the agent is involved in the successful completion of the work done / services provided or responsibilities assumed.
Block Fees include a grouping of scheduled events for which the Individual Service Fees are paid in advance and have been discounted. A Block fee applies to the entire grouping of events even if one or more of the events is not completed or necessary. Block fees only apply when the company is employed for a series of blocks and the block fees are fully paid in advance. If you wish to pay over a period of time or have an individual accounting of all events then the block fee does not apply and you will be billed as per the individual service fees. I understand that Block Fees only apply if the Firm is paid and employed for and provides the entire block or part of the Listed Services.
As a licensee of the Law Society of Upper Canada, I / We stand by the following principles:
- A recognition that the Law Society is committed to Inclusive legal workplaces in Ontario, a reduction of barriers created by racism, unconscious bias and discrimination and better representation of Indigenous and racialized licensees in the legal professions in all legal workplaces and at all levels of seniority.
- My special responsibility as a member of the legal profession to protect the dignity of all individuals, and to respect human rights laws in force in Ontario.
- A commitment to advance reconciliation, acknowledging that we are collectively responsible to support improved relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Ontario and Canada; and,
- An acknowledgement of my obligation to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion generally and in my behaviour towards colleagues, employees, clients and the public.
Further I / We stand by the Decisions and Findings of the Supreme Court of Canada and believe:
The fact that a lawyer / paralegal is criticizing a judge, a tenured and independent participant in the justice system, may raise, not lower, the threshold for limiting a lawyer’s / paralegal’s expressive rights under the Charter……..This is not always easy where the lawyer / paralegal feels he or she has been unfairly provoked, But it is precisely when a lawyer’s / paralegal’s equilibrium is unduly tested that he or she is particularly called upon to behave with transcendent civility. On the other hand, lawyers / paralegal’s should not be expected to behave like verbal eunuchs.
They not only have a right to speak their minds freely, they arguably have a duty to do so. But they are constrained by their profession to do so with dignified restraint.
Doré v. Barreau du Québec 2012 SCC 12 page 399
A trial is a contest of stories told in a just procedural framework. Everybody in the courtroom, including the Judge, knows this. The parties come into the building with their stories being their truths. The Advocates’ wisdom lies in being patient, hearing every element and nuance of all the stories and understanding the proper court procedures. Objecting to every unjust deviation from proper legal procedure. Seizing onto the most important lies and then forging them into a sharpened blade for the purpose of ripping the case open and spilling the guts of the lie on the floor before the world.
Client Initials | Name of Service Provider
xxxx | Advocacy-Services, a Paralegal Service Provider
xxxx | Advocacy-Services, a Paralegal Service Provider
xxxx | Advocacy-Real Solutions, A Private Investigation Firm
xxxx | KD Defenders, a Paralegal Service Provider
xxxx | Saatish Mandalagri, Barrister & Solicitor
This agreement includes the additional terms and conditions from www.advocacy-services.ca
Client(s) Initials indicate an agreement for an Investigation Retainer Agreement with the service providers to the right based on the understanding that in the interest of both the service providers and the client, this is a No Fee Agreement. It’s purpose is so the service provider can gather documents for review, investigate the circumstance of the matter to make sure there are no conflicts of interest and that the client is still within the limitation periods and that the matter has a standing in Statute of Comon Law. The service provider will provide an overview and estimate for future services.
The Client : ___________________________________________________________
The Type of Proceeding: ________________________________________________
The Style of Cause if any: _______________________________________________
Claim No: (If a proceeding has been started) : _______________________________
________________________Client’s Signature _______________________Witness Signature
________________________ Print Name _________________________ Print Name
________________________Client’s Signature _______________________Witness Signature
________________________ Print Name _________________________ Print Name
Date:________________, 20____ Date: _________________, 20____
This agreement includes the additional terms and conditions from www.advocacy-services.ca