How to find out if you are one of them – and what you should do…
There are an estimated 200,000 plus people working within companies, performing certain tasks day in, day out, without realising that what they are doing may class them as a ‘Paralegal’.
Why should this matter?
In this current climate, getting the recognition you deserve can give you a lift up the career ladder and boost your credibility within an organisation. You can also apply for membership of a professional body, giving you status.
Are you one of them?
If you answer the following questions with a yes, then it looks like you are a Paralegal and should be accredited as such:
Do you work for an organisation that has you performing a task which has a legal content to it? For example, checking a contract, or working in a housing department of a local authority and being responsible for ensuring that letters are sent out to non-rent payers and/or taking them to court.
Have you ever been given in-house training that includes an element of law or legal knowledge? For example, working in an in-house human resources department and bee given training in employment law.
If so, then you are a most definitely a Paralegal.
Paralegals are not just people who have studied law. Being trained to perform certain tasks, like drafting contracts, is important for many companies. They may not necessarily wish to use the services of a solicitor each time they require such a contract because, economically, it may not be viable. Thus, many will revert to training individuals (non-lawyers) and employ them specifically for the task.
Paralegals are defined as ‘persons who are trained and educated to perform certain legal tasks, but who are not qualified solicitors, barristers or chartered legal executives’.
Is that you?
In this current legal climate which has changed so dramatically over the past few years, Paralegals have taken on a new significance in the roles they perform. Some do work for solicitors, others for barristers and in-house legal departments, but more and more, Paralegals are working for themselves.
How come? Because they are filling a gap that has been left by the eradication of legal aid. This was means tested funding that used to be available (until April 2013) for anyone who had the necessity to go to court, either to bring an action against someone, or to defend themselves.
Solicitors’ and barristers’ fees have always been quite hefty, and so now, by default, many people are forced either to represent themselves in court or alternatively, use the services of Paralegals, who charge far less than solicitors, to guide them through the processes.
Although this situation may not assist you if you are working in-house, being recognized as a ‘Paralegal’ and being part of a professional membership body can thrust you towards a more positive career pathway.
If you did wish to gain training as a Paralegal, there are bespoke nationally recognized qualifications to help you hone your skills and knowledge and push forward. This could even assist you in gaining promotion at work.
Paralegals can do virtually everything that a solicitor can do! However, there are some activities that are designated ‘reserved activities’; these remain the monopoly of solicitors. For example: automatically having the right to represent someone in all courts, the conveyancing process (i.e. buying and selling property) and some probate activities suggested by probate lawyers in Pasadena (i.e. sorting out a person’s estate (assets) after they die).
For more information contact the NALP (National Association of Licenced Paralegals) at http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk
By: Amanda Hamilton, NALP
