The Careers Service.

LAW BRIEFING: Working as a

Paralegal work has grown in recent years (up over 100% since 2001), largely because it reduces practice costs. It is regarded as a distinct professional group and salaries have risen although the recent recession did negatively impact on the availability of work. Some firms of now employ ‘career ’ on a permanent basis in a particular field of legal practice, working alongside or even in place of solicitors.

However, most students want temporary or fixed term contract paralegal work to gain legal experience before starting the LPC or BPTC or whilst continuing the search for a or . This short term approach may deter some employers concerned with the costs of recruiting and training staff.

If you undertake paralegal work whilst looking for a training contract, be positive about the experience - use it to develop your skills and confidence in dealing with clients / colleagues and to build your network of contacts in the legal profession. Seek out opportunities to take on new work that will expand your knowledge and generally create a good impression. Career paralegals working alongside you will be more willing to help you if you are enthusiastic about your work and have a positive attitude.

The work of the paralegal

Paralegals are most commonly employed in commercial/corporate firms with openings heavily concentrated in property and litigation departments, banking and finance. Other areas likely to hire paralegals are employment, insolvency, IT/commerce, media, construction, EU/competition and telecoms. Some work in-house, notably in banking and financial services, as well as in local government and the public sector.

Duties vary widely. In some firms, paralegals undertake virtually the full range of trainee tasks; in others, they carry out high volume routine legal tasks such as those which are a common feature in the fields of insurance, and personal injury. Firms may also recruit paralegals to undertake specific tasks within a single contract. Examples might include proof reading legal documentation being prepared for a multi million pound contract closure or preparation of document bundles for a forthcoming trial.

Typically, tasks include: • Legal research • Drafting letters and documents • Preparation of briefing notes • Database entry and management, filing & general administration • Proof reading • Identifying key documents; documents which will need to be disclosed to the other side during discovery or for due diligence in a takeover deal • Document Management; bundling, scheduling, indexing, pagination, scanning, photocopying. A very high degree of accuracy and attention to detail is required. Hundreds of files may be involved. A typical trial bundle may run to 25 volumes • Taking client statements and notes in • Instructing counsel • Attending completion meetings • Attending client meetings • Making court applications • Pleadings • Billing

Salaries are fairly reasonable. Larger City firms may start at £20,000 rising to £30,000 after six months (data from Spring 2010). US firms and investment banks may be more generous. Smaller firms and public-funded organisations will offer less.

Qualifications and qualities sought

In theory, a paralegal doesn’t need any legal qualifications. In practice, most firms will look for a law degree or PGDipLaw. Increasingly firms prefer applicants to have completed the LPC or BPTC. Many look for a 2:1 and stress the importance of a strong academic background. Previous paralegal experience, or other office/administrative experience are preferred; IT skills are a valuable asset. It is currently a matter of debate as to whether a paralegal qualification is of value; hands-on experience and personal qualities seem to be more valuable, especially to those with the LPC/BPTC. As a result of the recession, you will be competing against redundant experienced paralegals.

Desirable personal qualities are: • Flexibility - to do anything and everything required by partners in order to progress the case • Excellent client care and interpersonal skills plus a willingness to travel to clients • Able to work unsupervised as well as part of a team • Able to prioritise own (often heavy) work, working under pressure • Organised and able to self-manage well • Willing to work flexible hours at times in order to meet deadlines (long hours are a frequent feature in corporate and commercial departments) • Accuracy and close attention to detail

Training for paralegals

The National Association of Paralegals has a Post-Graduate Diploma in Paralegal Practice. The course covers the practical and procedural areas of civil and criminal litigation, corporate and commercial work, matrimonial law, conveyancing and succession. The practical skills elements are interviewing, drafting, advocacy and negotiation. It is only available in London, as a part time course, although distance learning could be an option for those living outside. This course may be of particular value to LLB graduates who view a career as a paralegal as an interesting alternative to becoming a , particularly in view of the cost of completing the and the fierce competition for training contracts. For further information contact the National Association of Paralegals: www.national-paralegals.co.uk

The Institute of Paralegals is a relatively new professional organisation which offers both Certified and Qualified Paralegal status to paralegals in order to turn the occupation into a ‘profession’. The new career path is called Route to Qualification. In order to gain Certified status, those with a law degree or the Graduate Diploma in Law need to complete 2 years work experience. Those with the LPC or BPTC can fast-track within one year. Once certified, candidates can take an additional specialist paralegal qualification, which can take 12-18months in order to become a Qualified Paralegal. For further information see the Institute of Paralegals website: www.instituteofparalegals.org

ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) has recently introduced the Post Graduate Diploma in Paralegal Practice for those with a qualifying law degree, which enables students to fast-track through its paralegal training programme. Following the PG Diploma, students must become a Fellow of ILEX in order to use the term ‘Legal Executive’. To gain Fellowship, individuals usually have to have up to 5 years legal employment experience (two of which have to be completed after the PG Diploma). Exemptions may be available for those with a qualifying law degree or LPC at the discretion of ILEX. For further information, see: www.ilex.org.uk/careers/careers_home/what_is_a_legal_executive.aspx

Some firms have developed in-house training modules specifically for their paralegals; others encourage paralegals to attend in-house courses provided for trainee solicitors.

Paralegals and Training Contracts

Many firms, but by no means all, will consider their paralegals for training contracts as they arise. Indeed, some firms of solicitors now only offer a training contract after an LPC diplomate has spent some time (typically 6-12 months) “proving” themselves with the firm as a paralegal. Those with paralegal experience should also find the experience a considerable advantage when applying for training contracts with other organisations.

Time spent working as a paralegal may reduce the time spent working in a training contract, under the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority’s regulations. Any reduction in the length of a training contract is entirely at the discretion of the firm or organisation the individual is undertaking their training contract with.

The maximum amount of reduction allowed is 6 months with time reduced by 50% so 12 months experience could count for a six month reduction in the training contract. The SRA covers this topic in its download on Training Trainee Solicitors: Guidelines for Recognising Previous Experience: www.sra.org.uk/students/training- contract.page - contact the SRA if you need help with this.

Finding and applying for vacancies

Vacancies usually arise on an ad hoc basis, with only a few firms having a regular requirement for new staff. Past surveys have shown that there can be more vacancies in summer and early autumn. Make sure your application is professional and focussed - treat it as seriously as you would an application for a training contract. For help, see ‘Law Briefing: Law applications’.

Speculative approaches - and networking The vast majority of firms do not advertise vacancies, mainly due to the large number of speculative enquiries received. In addition, some firms require staff at very short notice and so do not have time to advertise – they employ a core of permanent paralegals, and then recruit temporary help as and when workloads demand. As a result, it is advisable to indicate in a speculative application the dates when you are available for work. To identify solicitors in a particular area, use the ‘Find a solicitor’ function on the Law Society website: www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/findasolicitor.law. Ask your contacts (family, friends and their friends) who work in law firms about where their company advertises.

Recruitment agencies Law recruitment agencies generally require students to possess 6-12 months paralegal experience, but it is worth registering with appropriate ones if they don’t charge you a fee (reputable ones don’t charge you). Check for local agencies specialising in legal placements using the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s website: www.rec.uk.com/home

Advertised vacancies The following organisations may offer opportunities for paralegals and legal clerks. Vacancies are often in London but do arise throughout the country. In the Yorkshire region, paralegal vacancies tend to be in personal injury.

Legal Executive Recruitment www.legal-executive-recruitment.com Law Careers Net www.lawcareers.net Prolaw www.prolaw.co.uk Legal Practice Clerks www.lpc-law.co.uk Chambers Professional Recruitment www.chambersrecruitment.co.uk Totally Legal www.totallylegal.com Legal Support Network http://jobs.legalsupportnetwork.co.uk Jobs www.legalweekjobs.com/jobs/paralegal Legal Jobs Board www.legaljobsboard.co.uk/paralegal-jobs Legal Prospects www.legalprospects.com Simply Law Jobs www.simplylawjobs.com

Do an internet search for other online listings. Also check: • Law Society Gazette: www.lawgazettejobs.co.uk/content_static/home.asp • Opportunities promoted in the Law School and on the Careers Service’s ‘MyVacancies’ listing - available via the ‘Careers’ tab in MUSE or via the Careers Service website: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/jobs • Websites of individual firms, local authorities and larger companies which may have an in-house legal function. • If you are looking for work in the Sheffield area, see the Careers Service’s list of local solicitors: www.careers.dept.shef.ac.uk/law/localSolicitors.php • Other possible sources of paralegal vacancies are listed in the ‘Law Resources’ section of our Careers in Law website: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/law.

Document originally created by Jan Moore, Head of MMU Careers Service Reprinted by kind permission of MMU School of Law Updated by Nick Touati, MMU School of Law Careers Adviser - October 2007 Checked and updated by University of Sheffield Careers Service May 2010

University of Sheffield Careers Service - 388 Glossop Road - Tel: 0114 222 0910 General information: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students Law pages: www.shef.ac.uk/careers/students/worktypes/law

AC July 2010