header-logo header-logo

07 April 2023 / Amanda Hamilton
Issue: 8020 / Categories: Features , Profession , Career focus , Training & education
printer mail-detail

Paralegals: different paths to the law

117925
A diverse range of opportunities (and a convenient gap in the legal market) awaits those choosing a career as a paralegal, writes Amanda Hamilton
  • Today many people who want a legal career are choosing to become paralegals.
  • Apart from ‘reserved activities’, paralegals can do mostly everything that a solicitor can do.
  • As a paralegal you can provide a cost-effective service, backed by the credibility of being a member of a recognised membership body for paralegals.

Over the centuries in England, it’s been the case that consumers of legal services tend to consider a ‘lawyer’ to be either a barrister or a solicitor. Not so anymore! Many people who want a legal career are choosing to become paralegals.

Paralegals are educated and trained in a similar way to solicitors. Some of them have law degrees, while others have successfully completed nationally recognised paralegal qualifications. They can do mostly everything that a solicitor can do, except the practice of some activities which remain the monopoly of solicitors. These activities

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—Justine Howard

Charles Russell Speechlys—Justine Howard

Charles Russell Speechlys appoints Justine Howard as General Counsel

Gibson Dunn—Suzanne Thomson

Gibson Dunn—Suzanne Thomson

Gibson Dunn further bolsters business restructuring and reorganization practice in London

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Rachel Yao

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Rachel Yao

Penningtons Manches Cooper expands international private wealth practice with new Singapore partner

NEWS
One in six people with a legal dispute in the past two years used an AI chatbot to discuss the issue or draft complaints, research by charity JUSTICE and research group the Administrative Fairness Lab has found
The Meta settlement indicates civil claims are more effective than regulation when it comes to forcing tech giants to change, according to online safety lawyer Mark Jones
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now used by 94% of lawyers for legal work, with one in ten dependent on AI to do their job, according to LexisNexis
An immersive exhibition drawing on 70 appeals heard at the Supreme Court, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and House of Lords, has opened to the public
Up to 100 more pupillages for criminal barristers could be provided each year, under a match-funding scheme boosted by £1.5m funding from Ministry of Justice
back-to-top-scroll