Paralegal


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What does a paralegal do?

As a paralegal, you'll carry out certain legal tasks and services, such as undertaking legal research, preparing legal documents and giving some legal advice.

A paralegal is a highly-valued member of a legal team that has extensive knowledge of the law and legal matters, but is not a qualified lawyer. Paralegals undertake a wide variety of administrative and legal work. They work with solicitors, barristers and/or chartered legal executives and are often associate members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx).

A paralegal’s role is to support lawyers in their work and they can choose to specialise in a specific area of the law.

Types of paralegal

There are many areas that a paralegal can specialise in,

but here are a few to get you started:


  • Family law

  • Criminal defence law

  • Real estate law

  • Corporate law

  • Intellectual property law

  • Estate planning and probate law

Areas of specialisation include:


  • advocacy and mediation

  • commercial, corporate and business law

  • consumer law

  • contracts/dispute resolution

  • conveyancing and property

  • crime

  • debt recovery and mortgage repossessions

  • employment law

  • litigation (criminal and civil)

  • matrimonial and family law

  • personal injury

  • wills, probate and administration of estates.

Qualifications

Although there are no official qualifications needed to become a paralegal, you will want to consider carefully what you study.

In such a competitive environment, it is beneficial if you have:


  • Past legal experience in the area of law you wish to practise

  • Studied these relevant areas of law and have shown an academic interest

  • A-Levels

Although you do not technically need a degree, it may be beneficial considering the competitive nature of the career path.

Taken from Lawyerportal.

Apprenticeship Route

In general, paralegal apprenticeships are aimed at school leavers and those seeking an alternative to university.


For example, CILEx aims its programme at school leavers with a minimum of five GCSEs from A*-C/9-4 including English and Maths and three Cs at A-Level and a good level of written English.


For more information :

https://www.thelawyerportal.com/study-law/legal-apprenticeships/paralegal-apprenticeship-guide/

https://www.thelawyerportal.com/careers/what-is-a-paralegal/paralegal-salary-guide/


To look for opportunities :

https://www.thelawyerportal.com/deadlines/law-apprenticeship-deadlines/

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

Employers

With experience, it's possible to work freelance or as a sole trader, or to own a paralegal practice.

Look for job vacancies at:

Try registering with a specialist recruitment agency, such as: