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11 March 2019 / Amanda Hamilton
Categories: Features , Profession
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Praise to the paralegal

Paralegals are the unsung heroes of the legal sector, so show your appreciation this National Paralegal Day, says Amanda Hamilton

This Thursday, 14 March 2019, is the first National Paralegal Day in the UK—a day that has been marked to celebrate the work that paralegals do as the unsung heroes of the legal services sector and beyond.

Many solicitors regard paralegals as wannabe solicitors—LLB/LPC graduates who cannot find training contracts. It is also true to say that a number of graduates who are desperate to be offered that elusive training contract, do approach solicitors’ firms for paralegal work. Any wonder then, that this is the manner in which paralegals are regarded. However, in reality, these paralegals make up just a fraction of who paralegals are. Many, in reality, wish to be career paralegals and want to be recognised as such rather than would-be solicitors.

As CEO of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), the foremost paralegal membership body I am in a good position to recognise that the vast majority of

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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

NEWS
Bill disputes between solicitors and clients should be dealt with by an online portal rather than sent to the Legal Ombudsman (LeO), the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL) has argued
MPs have warned of an ‘unacceptably high risk of miscarriages of justice’ due to a lack of legal aid and increasing levels of self-representation
The government is considering restricting judicial review challenges against housing schemes, motorways and other major planning applications
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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