| History of Paralegals |
Mr James O´Connell of the Institute of Paralegals talks about the continuing rise of paralegals:
“In the past few years paralegals have become indispensable to solicitors' firms. There are now more paralegals working
in solicitors' firms than there are associate, assistant and consultant solicitors combined. Within a decade there will be
more paralegal fee earners in law firms than solicitors! This continuing rise in the importance of paralegals is transforming
career prospects.
In 2005 we were granted Institute status by the UK government and our work with organisations such as the Bar Council,
Law Society, Crown Prosecution Service, solicitors’ firms and many universities and FE colleges has resulted in the ‘soon-
to-be-released’ National Competency Standards for Paralegals. If one is thinking about qualifying and working as a
paralegal, they will be joining a profession which is certainly set to grow”.
“In the past few years paralegals have become indispensable to solicitors' firms. There are now more paralegals working
in solicitors' firms than there are associate, assistant and consultant solicitors combined. Within a decade there will be
more paralegal fee earners in law firms than solicitors! This continuing rise in the importance of paralegals is transforming
career prospects.
In 2005 we were granted Institute status by the UK government and our work with organisations such as the Bar Council,
Law Society, Crown Prosecution Service, solicitors’ firms and many universities and FE colleges has resulted in the ‘soon-
to-be-released’ National Competency Standards for Paralegals. If one is thinking about qualifying and working as a
paralegal, they will be joining a profession which is certainly set to grow”.
- Get free monthly newsletter focusing on changes and updates in the law
We are accredited by Institute of Paralegals.
If you are considering applying for membership of the Institute of Paralegals, there are now 4 grades of membership -
Affiliate, Registered, Certified & Qualified.
If you are considering applying for membership of the Institute of Paralegals, there are now 4 grades of membership -
Affiliate, Registered, Certified & Qualified.
 | Our courses permit you to apply for Affiliate membership if you have not started work as a Paralegal and | |
| Registered membership upon satisfactory completion of the course. |
| Membership for UK and international students are available. | |
The paralegal profession began in the USA in 1968 but has only become a prominent description to legal assistants in the
UK since late 1980s.
Prior to that, the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) introduced courses for individuals to become qualified Solicitor's Clerks
and ultimately the term Legal Executives was born.
Paralegals are an unregulated body of professionals but with the advent of several businesses all trying to introduce
separate 'standards' it is becoming a more popular career of choice. The Paralegal's role is to provide more cost effective
operating costs to legal services under the supervision of Solicitors or Barristers. A degree is not necessary.
The Solicitors Act 1974 reserves certain legal activities for Solicitors and therefore Paralegals can only perform many of
these activities under the supervision of Solicitors or Barristers.
Some unregulated legal activities such as appearing at Tribunals, County Court Small Claims, Trademark and Patents
agents can be performed by Paralegals, unsupervised.
If, in the event that the UK government recognises the Profession of Paralegals as a third independent legal profession and
gives them powers to work in those areas reserved for Solicitors, Paralegals will continue to work under supervision,
except as mentioned, in those unregulated areas.
There are 2 ways to become Paralegals:
1. Having relevant legal work experience
2. Completing an appropriate Course.
Having your legal work experience recognised is not a route which is open to all. Working within a legal environment
requires knowledge of legal procedures and Solicitors do not normally have the time nor the inclination to train someone on
the job - this environment is far too busy. They prefer to employ someone who has already obtained legal knowledge.
study? As a general rule, courses which cover Procedural Law and give a hands-on approach to procedures, form
filling, research, interviewing and such practical knowledge are what solicitors value most.
In the UK, A law degree in itself, does not prepare you for the role of a Paralegal. Unless you are aiming to qualify as a
Solicitor or Barrister, this is not necessary. Having a law degree will necessitate further legal qualification such as
completing a Procedural Law Course or the Law Society's Legal Practice Course.
There are organisations campaigning for the status of Paralegals to become officially recognised as the third independent
legal profession. The Institute of Paralegals, established in 2003, sets its 'competency standards' and regularly updates
its membership criteria. National Association of Paralegals (NALP) accredits the courses it runs. In general both are
lobbying to get the role of paralegals more recognised.
Membership of such organisations is optional and should not be confused with qualifying as a Paralegal. Training
providers can elect to pay a fee to become accredited. This affords prospective students a platform to verify that the
course they undertake is of a particular standard.
There are now several universities offering paralegal qualifications in addition to private and independent colleges and
there should be a course to suit everyone. All aspects of legal studies can be undertaken eg Immigration, Probate,
Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Conveyancing, Litigation, Principles of English Law, Maritime Law, Human Rights,
International and European Law and the list goes on.
There are also several 'levels' of qualifications being offered by different institutions and undertaking a course which
gives an Introduction or an Overview is simply to test whether this is a career for you and should not be viewed as
acquiring required level of competency.
UK since late 1980s.
Prior to that, the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) introduced courses for individuals to become qualified Solicitor's Clerks
and ultimately the term Legal Executives was born.
Paralegals are an unregulated body of professionals but with the advent of several businesses all trying to introduce
separate 'standards' it is becoming a more popular career of choice. The Paralegal's role is to provide more cost effective
operating costs to legal services under the supervision of Solicitors or Barristers. A degree is not necessary.
The Solicitors Act 1974 reserves certain legal activities for Solicitors and therefore Paralegals can only perform many of
these activities under the supervision of Solicitors or Barristers.
Some unregulated legal activities such as appearing at Tribunals, County Court Small Claims, Trademark and Patents
agents can be performed by Paralegals, unsupervised.
If, in the event that the UK government recognises the Profession of Paralegals as a third independent legal profession and
gives them powers to work in those areas reserved for Solicitors, Paralegals will continue to work under supervision,
except as mentioned, in those unregulated areas.
There are 2 ways to become Paralegals:
1. Having relevant legal work experience
2. Completing an appropriate Course.
Having your legal work experience recognised is not a route which is open to all. Working within a legal environment
requires knowledge of legal procedures and Solicitors do not normally have the time nor the inclination to train someone on
the job - this environment is far too busy. They prefer to employ someone who has already obtained legal knowledge.
study? As a general rule, courses which cover Procedural Law and give a hands-on approach to procedures, form
filling, research, interviewing and such practical knowledge are what solicitors value most.
In the UK, A law degree in itself, does not prepare you for the role of a Paralegal. Unless you are aiming to qualify as a
Solicitor or Barrister, this is not necessary. Having a law degree will necessitate further legal qualification such as
completing a Procedural Law Course or the Law Society's Legal Practice Course.
There are organisations campaigning for the status of Paralegals to become officially recognised as the third independent
legal profession. The Institute of Paralegals, established in 2003, sets its 'competency standards' and regularly updates
its membership criteria. National Association of Paralegals (NALP) accredits the courses it runs. In general both are
lobbying to get the role of paralegals more recognised.
Membership of such organisations is optional and should not be confused with qualifying as a Paralegal. Training
providers can elect to pay a fee to become accredited. This affords prospective students a platform to verify that the
course they undertake is of a particular standard.
There are now several universities offering paralegal qualifications in addition to private and independent colleges and
there should be a course to suit everyone. All aspects of legal studies can be undertaken eg Immigration, Probate,
Commercial Law, Corporate Law, Conveyancing, Litigation, Principles of English Law, Maritime Law, Human Rights,
International and European Law and the list goes on.
There are also several 'levels' of qualifications being offered by different institutions and undertaking a course which
gives an Introduction or an Overview is simply to test whether this is a career for you and should not be viewed as
acquiring required level of competency.
- Legal Secretaries are sometimes referred to as 'Paralegals' but in reality, they are not able to be 'fee earners'
unless they have a Paralegal qualification. Many businesses operate as 'institute', or 'association' which could
be misinterpreted as having the authority of governing bodies. In many instances, they are training providers and
are not governing bodies.
- Differences Between Legal Secretaries and Paralegals - Read Article>>
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
About our Courses
We have specialised in offering law courses since 1988 and we are one of the oldest training institutions in the UK. We
have gained recognition for the quality of our courses and for their relevance to working as Paralegals and Legal
Secretaries. Since our inception in 1988, all our secretary courses have been of a standard which allows them to carry
out work as 'paralegals' but they do not offer the official title of 'qualified paralegal'. To gain this title, legal secretaries
can upgrade to any of our Paralegal Courses and many have already done so.
As a training college, our only objective is to continue producing high quality law courses for which we have become
known for the past 23 years. All our efforts are focused on training Paralegals and Legal Secretaries. Studying with the
Specialist offers many significant benefits:
Our specialist subjects are General Principles of English Law, Corporate Law, Conveyancing and Litigation. We offer
several modules to qualify as Paralegals and do not require that all Modules are completed at once. Students can
complete one module at a time as suits their budget. This has proved very convenient and allows many to begin their legal
careers.
Our courses can be done by Distance Learning or with live tuition online. This is another step to bring legal qualifications
to many and enable them to embark on a legal career which in the past, may have been prohibited.
The proof of a great course is in its students' recommendations. Many of our past students have gained employment as
Paralegals, Legal Secretaries or have gone on to higher education at Universities in the UK.
Read the many Reviews and Testimonials where so many have spontaneously expressed what they think of the
courses. Visit our Students' Forum to read more of what they have to say.
To them we give our biggest 'Thank You' as without them, we would be just another training provider.
We have specialised in offering law courses since 1988 and we are one of the oldest training institutions in the UK. We
have gained recognition for the quality of our courses and for their relevance to working as Paralegals and Legal
Secretaries. Since our inception in 1988, all our secretary courses have been of a standard which allows them to carry
out work as 'paralegals' but they do not offer the official title of 'qualified paralegal'. To gain this title, legal secretaries
can upgrade to any of our Paralegal Courses and many have already done so.
As a training college, our only objective is to continue producing high quality law courses for which we have become
known for the past 23 years. All our efforts are focused on training Paralegals and Legal Secretaries. Studying with the
Specialist offers many significant benefits:
- Law students are given top priority.
- Law courses are comprehensive and intensive.
- We are not distracted by offering any other type of courses and therefore spends more time innovating and
improving.
Our specialist subjects are General Principles of English Law, Corporate Law, Conveyancing and Litigation. We offer
several modules to qualify as Paralegals and do not require that all Modules are completed at once. Students can
complete one module at a time as suits their budget. This has proved very convenient and allows many to begin their legal
careers.
Our courses can be done by Distance Learning or with live tuition online. This is another step to bring legal qualifications
to many and enable them to embark on a legal career which in the past, may have been prohibited.
The proof of a great course is in its students' recommendations. Many of our past students have gained employment as
Paralegals, Legal Secretaries or have gone on to higher education at Universities in the UK.
Read the many Reviews and Testimonials where so many have spontaneously expressed what they think of the
courses. Visit our Students' Forum to read more of what they have to say.
To them we give our biggest 'Thank You' as without them, we would be just another training provider.
________________________________________________________________________________________
copyright © 2000-2011
Essential Career Information
Wendy Souter
Author
6 Articles
© 2012
Author
6 Articles
© 2012