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Are you working as a Paralegal without realising it?

Many professionals in the UK may technically be paralegals, despite their job titles not reflecting this. Many people are working within a company performing certain tasks day in, day out, not realising that what they are doing may class them as a ‘paralegal’.

Why should this matter? Why should you be ‘pigeon-holed’?

In this current climate, giving yourself a lift up the ladder can help your career and certainly your status within an organisation.

There are an estimated 200,000 plus paralegals working in a variety of fields and for diverse employers, who are unaware that they are ‘Paralegals’ and can apply for membership of a professional body, giving them status.

If you answer the following questions with a yes, then it looks like you are a paralegal and should be accredited as such.

  1. 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.
  2. 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 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 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 recognised 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.

What is it that paralegals can do?

The answer to this question is, virtually everything that a solicitor can do! However, there are certain activities that designated ‘reserved activities’ and 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 (i.e. sorting out a person’s assets after they die).

Apart from this, there is plenty of scope for a paralegal, not only to advise and assist a consumer, but also to gain a Licence to Practise in order to do so.

Your Job Title

Is your job title one of these?  Whilst we are not guaranteeing this means you are a paralegal, it is likely…

General titles

Litigation and dispute work

Conveyancing and property

Corporate and commercial

Employment law

Family law

Criminal law

Immigration

Personal injury / clinical negligence

Private client

Regulatory, compliance and specialist legal work

Legal operations and support

Has this tickled your fancy?

If joining a professional body or gaining paralegal qualifications interests you, or you want to find out more, NALP (National Association of Licenced Paralegals) can provide more information.

Amanda Hamilton is Chief Executive of NALP, a non-profit Membership Body as well as being the only paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England). Through its training arm, NALP Training, accredited recognised professional paralegal qualifications are offered for a career as a paralegal professional.

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