Paralegal
Provide legal services and advice in a specific area of the law and help solicitors with their work.
About the job
What it's like
You’d provide legal services and advice in a specific area of the law and help solicitors with their work.You would work under the supervision of a solicitor.
You would not be qualified as a solicitor but your work could be similar. It would range from administrative and legal secretarial tasks to doing research and providing legal information to clients. You would usually specialise in one area of law such as employment law, residential conveyancing, family law or executries.
As well as joining a law firm there are a variety of other places you could work, including:
In the public or not-for-profit sector, for example as an adviser at Citizens Advice, a charity or a trade union
In the civil and criminal courts, police forces and enforcement organisations like trading standards departments
In a private company where you might advise on business law or managing contracts, or deal with personal injury or road traffic accident claims
Your exact duties would depend on where you work and your level of responsibility.
As a junior paralegal you would:
Prepare legal documents
Do research
Do typing, filing and other general office tasks.
As a more experienced paralegal you would:
Provide quotes to clients
Interview clients and witnesses
Give legal information to clients
Go to court
Manage different cases at the same time
Patience and tact are important as you would work with a variety of clients, some of whom may be anxious about their legal situation.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- making decisions
- ethical
- time management
- sorting
- attention to detail
- observation
- working with numbers
- written communication
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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English
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Latin
There are no set qualifications, but an understanding of the law and a good general education would be valuable.
You could gain entry with one of the following:
An HNC/HND in Legal Services (SCQF Level 7/8). Entry requirements include a relevant NC/NQ qualification, National 5 qualifications or one to two Highers including English.
A degree in Law or Legal Services (SCQF Level 9/10). Entry requirements include a minimum of four Highers at BBBC or above. Some courses require this in one sitting.
A Modern Apprenticeship in Paralegal Practice (SCQF Level 7).
You could work towards being a paralegal in the job. Some employers may support you to complete an SVQ in Paralegal Practices (SCQF Level 7).
You can also gain a qualification through part-time or distance learning such as a Paralegal Scots Law Diplomas (modules at SCQF level 9).
You might need approved membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
Once in work/qualified you may want to join the Registered Paralegal Scheme.
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