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How to become a Paralegal

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Paralegal

Legal Secretary

| Up to £20,000

Paralegal

| Up to £30,000

Solicitor

| Up to £50,000

The role of a Paralegal

What does a Paralegal do?

Want to work as a Paralegal? Well, it’s not against the law…

Paralegals support Lawyers and Solicitors by helping to prepare legal documents, and carrying out other tasks to make their jobs easier.

They can be found working within a wide variety of different organisations, whether it’s for small private law firms, or for larger government organisations. And although much of their time is spent in the office, they may have to attend court hearings and meet with clients as part of their role.

Paralegals are an integral part of the legal team – without them, Lawyers and Solicitors simply could not do their jobs effectively.

Key duties for a Paralegal could include:

Interviewing new clients and taking witness statements
Preparing documents and handling confidential information
Carrying out legal research
Providing supporting documentation for court cases
Drafting legal documents
Giving clients advice on matters concerning the law

Is a career as a Paralegal right for me?

Aside from an excellent knowledge of law and the legal system, good research skills are essential for anyone looking to become a Paralegal.

You’ll need to have natural organisational ability, being able to deal with vast amounts of information on a daily basis (spoiler alert: it may not always be interesting). Something which also makes accuracy and attention to detail other key attributes for anyone looking to get into the industry.

Additional skills for a Paralegal include:

Team working
Typing skills
Discretion
Responsibility
Determination
Problem solving skills

What's it like to be a Paralegal?

"I’ve been working part-time as a Paralegal whilst studying for my law degree. It’s a lot of work, but sometimes it’s difficult to connect with the theory of what you’re learning, and getting practical training really helps you put it into practice. I’ve built up a lot of skills, like interviewing clients and drafting witness statements, but there’s still a lot more to pick up. It can be difficult to keep up with some of my colleagues who have been qualified for years, especially during a difficult case. But it’s really setting me up for a great career – I love it."

Get qualified as a Paralegal

You won’t need a degree to become a Paralegal, although you will need a good knowledge of the legal sector in order to find employment. Some employers may also require previous experience in order to get started, and relevant paralegal qualifications are a great way to stand out in a highly competitive field.

Recommended Paralegal courses

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