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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

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Ludlow office

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints partner in Leeds residential team

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

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Damages-based agreements (DBAs), also known as contingency fees, could be allowed for opt-out collective actions in the Competition Appeal Tribunal
Couples could legally marry almost anywhere, from canal boats to cruise ships at sea, under proposals launched last week
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