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26 January 2024 / Linda Ford
Issue: 8056 / Categories: Features , Profession , Career focus
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The rise of paralegals

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154920
Linda Ford explains why career progression & recognition are key to retention in a competitive market
  • There has been considerable growth in demand for paralegals, and it’s a competitive marketplace.
  • It is now a profession in its own right rather than a stepping stone to becoming a qualified lawyer.
  • Employers need to offer development opportunities and long-term career progression if they want to retain talented paralegals.
  • CILEX’s new framework will provide a national register underpinned by standards, professional recognition and regulation for those working as paralegals.

In recent years we have seen considerable growth in demand for paralegals. According to recent estimates, 100,000 people who work in legal services in England and Wales do so in some form of paralegal role.

Over the past 30 years our sector has, perhaps accidentally, created a whole group of legal practitioners, many of whom work in regulated environments and are often in positions of considerable trust and held in high esteem.

The rise of the paralegal reflects the changing nature of the

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