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24 November 2023 / Amanda Hamilton
Issue: 8050 / Categories: Features , Profession
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In practice: Why clarity matters

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Amanda Hamilton offers some valuable advice on developing a career as a paralegal

It is vital that paralegals understand what they can and cannot do.

Paralegals must always be transparent and communicate clearly with their clients.

Gaining Ofqual recognised qualifications can be a real boost to a paralegal’s career.


As a paralegal practitioner, one of the most important issues to bear in mind when offering legal services to consumers, is to ensure that you are not ‘holding out’. This is when you give an impression either by inference or omission or expressly, that you are anything other than a paralegal.

Such an impression can be made verbally or written on a business card or on your website. It is vital that you make it clear to any prospective client that you are a paralegal rather than a solicitor or barrister and as such, there are limits to what you can do for them. These limits which are out of bounds to a paralegal, are what is known as ‘reserved activities’

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Heather Gibson

Freeths—Heather Gibson

Freeths strengthens national tax team with Heather Gibson appointment

Debevoise & Plimpton—Mary Lavelle

Debevoise & Plimpton—Mary Lavelle

Debevoise expands London secondaries team with addition of Mary Lavelle

Excello Law—Hestia Private Client

Excello Law—Hestia Private Client

Excello Law welcomes ex-Irwin Mitchell team to launch Hestia Private Client

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Arbitration may be private, but its confidentiality is no impenetrable shield. Writing in NLJ this week, James Glaysher of Kingsley Napley examines when courts will permit arbitral material to surface in open litigation
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The Financial Reporting Council’s revised Audit Enforcement Procedure will alter the balance of power in corporate investigations
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