Paralegal

Legal Support Jobs – A Guide

Legal support jobs require you to be trained with the right law education in order to provide support for lawyers. A person in a legal assistant job cannot give clients legal advice, sign legal documentation, or represent anyone in court. Along with the legal knowledge and qualifications, legal assistant jobs will require a candidate to have some secretarial and administration experience, good legal research skills and excellent writing skills.

Somebody in a legal assistant job would be expected to carry out a number of different tasks within a firm. Supervising lawyers may ask a legal assistant to draft contracts as well as some other legal documents before they are given to the lawyer and their client. Legal research will also be carried out in order to support a client’s case and generally assist the barrister in a courtroom situation.

Before clients see a lawyer, legal assistant work may entail interviewing them and any witnesses that may be involved. This kind of work is effective for a case as it provides a solicitor with all the necessary initial information needed to build a case.

Depending on the specific field of law, legal support jobs will probably seek more general legal knowledge from candidates. However, if a candidate does have relevant experience in a particular field, legal assistant work would be given to that person to save on training on the job. Firms will exploit particular strengths in candidates and so their work may vary. An example of this is if a potential legal assistant has experience or particular knowledge in family law. This candidate will be used for his/her know-how of adoption, divorce, custody and prenuptial agreement document writing.

Anyone considering applying for legal support jobs should have the following qualities:

  • Exceptional writing and research skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Customer service skills
  • Knowledge/qualifications of the law practised
  • Computer literacy
  • Good admin and general secretarial skills/experience
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 Simply Law
No Comments Categories: Law Jobs Advice, Paralegal

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) Officially Accredited by OFQUAL

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) is the first organization of its type to achieve accreditation from the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (OFQUAL), the Government agency regulating qualifications in England.

With NALPs excellent track record, the accreditation enhances the professional body’s standing within the UK and internationally.

Amanda Hamilton, Chief Executive of NALP, expressed her delight at the accreditation and commented on the unique nature of the courses. “What makes the NALP’s qualifications special is that they have been specifically designed and are recognised by the profession.  This means that students interested in working as a paralegal will have easier access to accredited courses and training’.

NALP is the leading professional body for paralegals in England and Wales and specialises in promoting the Paralegal Profession and paralegal training offering courses for school leavers, legal support staff, law graduates and career changers.

‘The OFQUAL status award has enhanced our opportunity to service the increased demand from potential students’, said Ms Hamilton.  ‘NALP has now extended access and are planning to encourage more colleges and universities to run their courses throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland’

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals will be celebrating their 23rd Anniversary and Awarding Body Status on the 11th March 2010 at the House of Commons.

For further information please contact:  Lauren Emmett: Lauren@globalpr.co.uk or 0113 218 0118

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 Simply Law
No Comments Categories: Blog, Civil Litigation, National Association of Paralegals, News, Paralegal

Paralegal Qualifications with NALP

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD – QUALIFY AS A PARALEGAL

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals introduced the term ‘Paralegal’ into the UK and is the only recognized professional governing body that has dedicated itself to the promotion of paralegals in England, Wales and N. Ireland and all matters ‘Paralegal’ for 22 years.

NALP offers recognised accredited Paralegal Qualifications from entry level to post graduate and beyond either online with full tutorial support, or by class attendance.

We accredit a practical paralegal skills course that has been successfully running for 16 years.

Over 8,000 students have gained qualifications through us, why not be one of them.

LAW GRADUATES

Enrol now for the Post Graduate Diploma in Paralegal Practice starting September 30th 2009.

Further information about the Association, our affordable courses and levels of membership can be viewed by visiting our website.

Click Here To View This Site

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 Simply Law
Comments Off Categories: Courses, National Association of Paralegals, Paralegal