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02 July 2019 / Amanda Hamilton , Jane Robson
Issue: 7847 / Categories: Features , Profession , Legal services , Regulatory
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Paralegal regulation—confidence & competence

Amanda Hamilton & Jane Robson explain why self-regulation for paralegals promotes access to justice & benefits the sector as a whole

  • Why paralegals are not regulated by statute and the benefits of self-regulation.

It comes as no surprise to those currently working in the legal services sector, that there is extensive statutory regulation. Solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives are only too well aware of this since they are ‘legally’ bound to put their hands in their pockets in order to pay for it. The privilege of having to pay for membership to a professional body, together with paying for your regulatory body and, in addition, the overarching supervisory body is a costly burden to bear. Unfortunately, the only individuals that really suffer as a consequence of this is the consumer of legal services, since the cost of statutory regulation is reflected in the fees charged to clients of such professionals.

The whole sector seems to have spiralled out of control in this respect. We should surely remember that ultimately,

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

42BR Barristers—4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers—4 Brick Court

42BR Barristers to be joined by leading family law set, 4 Brick Court, this summer

Winckworth Sherwood—Rubianka Winspear

Winckworth Sherwood—Rubianka Winspear

Real estate and construction energy offering boosted by partner hire

Gateley Legal—Daniel Walsh

Gateley Legal—Daniel Walsh

Firm bolsters real estate team with partner hire in Birmingham

NEWS
A wave of housing and procedural reforms is set to test the limits of tribunal capacity. In his latest Civil Way column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold charts sweeping change as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 begins biting
Plans to reduce jury trials risk missing the real problem in the criminal justice system. Writing in NLJ this week, David Wolchover of Ridgeway Chambers argues the crown court backlog is fuelled not by juries but weak cases slipping through a flawed ‘50%’ prosecution test
Emerging technologies may soon transform how courts determine truth in deeply personal disputes. In this week's NLJ, Madhavi Kabra of 1 Hare Court and Harry Lambert of Outer Temple Chambers explore how neurotechnology could reshape family law
A controversial protest case has reignited debate over the limits of free expression. In NLJ this week, Nicholas Dobson examines a Quran-burning incident testing public order law
The courts have drawn a firm line under attempts to extend arbitration appeals. Writing in NLJ this week, Masood Ahmed of the University of Leicester highlights that if the High Court refuses permission under s 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996, that is the end
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