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With the December 31, 2026 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) deadline approaching, Ontario paralegals should check that they’ve completed more than just their total required hours.
Even if you’ve completed 12 CPD hours this year, you still need to make sure you’ve satisfied the Law Society of Ontario’s Professionalism and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) requirements.
If you’re missing Professionalism or EDI hours, there’s still time to complete them through eligible online CPD courses before the end of the year.
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) requires licensed paralegals who are subject to the annual CPD requirement to complete 12 hours of continuing professional development each calendar year.
These must include:
The EDI hour is not an additional requirement on top of the 12 hours. It forms part of the 3 required Professionalism hours.
You can find additional information through the Law Society of Ontario’s CPD Resource Centre.
Professionalism CPD focuses on the professional obligations and responsibilities involved in providing legal services.
Topics may include client communication, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, ethical advocacy, and managing a legal practice.
EDI CPD focuses specifically on equality, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession and the delivery of legal services.
Examples of EDI-related topics include recognizing unconscious bias, addressing barriers to accessing legal services, and understanding how different client experiences can affect legal representation.
Both Professionalism and EDI hours must be accredited by the Law Society of Ontario.
When registering for a course, it’s important to confirm how many hours qualify for each category.
Yes. Ontario paralegals can complete their Professionalism and EDI requirements through eligible online courses, including recorded programs.
Recorded CPD courses are especially convenient toward the end of the year because they allow participants to complete their learning without waiting for a scheduled live webinar.
LPEN offers online Ontario paralegal CPD courses, with accreditation details provided for each program.
If you’ve already completed your other CPD requirements but still need your mandatory EDI hour, LPEN offers a recorded course designed for legal professionals.
Trauma-Informed Advocacy: Ethical Advocacy, Client Dignity, and Effective Practice
Presented by Caryma Sa’d, this course examines practical approaches to trauma-informed advocacy, with a focus on ethical representation, client dignity, and professional well-being.
The program is accredited by the Law Society of Ontario for 1 EDI CPD hour.
The course is available as a recording, allowing paralegals to complete their required EDI hour at a convenient time.
View Trauma-Informed Advocacy and Register Online
If you’re missing more than just your EDI hour, LPEN’s Ontario Paralegal Pass provides another option.
The 2026 pass includes four courses covering important areas of Ontario paralegal practice, including landlord and tenant matters, Small Claims Court, trauma-informed advocacy, and Highway Traffic Act defence.
Together, the programs provide:
The pass offers a convenient way to meet the annual CPD requirements while accessing practical education relevant to paralegal practice.
The deadline to complete your 2026 Professionalism and EDI hours is December 31, 2026.
Your completed CPD hours must then be reported to the Law Society of Ontario by March 31, 2027.
Before the end of December, review your CPD records and confirm that you’ve completed the required number of hours in each category.
If you’re missing Professionalism or EDI hours, selecting an eligible recorded course can help you complete your requirements before the deadline.
Whether you need a single EDI hour, additional Professionalism hours, or several Substantive hours, LPEN offers online continuing professional development courses designed for Ontario paralegals.
With experienced instructors, practical course content, and recorded learning options, you can complete your remaining CPD requirements on your own schedule.
Make sure you’ve completed your Professionalism and EDI hours before December 31, 2026.
Explore LPEN’s Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses and Register Online
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