Highest Achievement Award for the NALP Level 3 Diploma in Paralegal Practice
Winner: Aliysha McIntosh
Congratulations to Aliysha McIntosh, one of our 2026 winners in the NALP Paralegal Achievement Awards. Aliysha scored the highest marks in the NALP Level 3 Diploma in Paralegal Practice, and here she shares her thoughts being a paralegal.
Why are you proud to be a paralegal?
I’m proud to be a paralegal because it’s a role where I can combine practical problem-solving with helping people through what can often be quite important or stressful periods of their lives.
I’ve been working in law for several years now, and one of the things I enjoy most is that no two matters are exactly the same. There’s always something new to learn, so my development hasn’t stopped just because I have finished my qualification.
I’m also proud of how much I’ve developed since I started. When I first began working in the legal profession, obviously everything was new to me, and my confidence and knowledge have grown considerably through both my day-to-day work and my studies. Completing the NALP qualification and then receiving this award feels like recognition of that development and of the amount of work I’ve put into building my career.
Why did you choose to do a NALP qualification?
I was already working at my firm when I decided to undertake a Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship with DataLaw. I wanted to progress my career and develop my understanding of legal practice alongside the practical experience I was gaining at work. The NALP Level 3 Diploma in Paralegal Practice was included as part of the apprenticeship.
I really liked the combination of working and studying because it meant I could relate what I was learning to my day-to-day work. It helped me develop a stronger understanding of the legal principles and procedures behind the work I was carrying out, rather than just learning through practical experience. I primarily work in conveyancing, but the NALP qualification also taught me a lot about other areas of law that I haven’t had as much experience in. I felt that this helped to fill in the gaps in my knowledge and give me a more well-rounded understanding of legal practice.
The flexibility of the NALP qualification also worked well alongside working full-time. Being able to study remotely and manage my learning around my work and other commitments made it possible for me to continue developing professionally without having to step away from my role.
Ultimately, the apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to build both my practical experience and my academic knowledge at the same time, and I think that combination has been really valuable in helping me progress as a paralegal.
What do you love about your work as a paralegal?
I love the variety of working as a paralegal. Even though I mainly work in conveyancing, every matter brings its own circumstances and challenges, so there is always something different to get your head around.
I particularly enjoy the research and problem-solving side of the role. I like being given an issue that needs investigating, working out what the relevant law and procedure is, and then using that information to help move a matter forward. I also enjoy the more practical side of legal work, such as preparing documents, dealing with applications and communicating with clients and other parties.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about my apprenticeship is seeing how much more confident I’ve become in taking responsibility for my work. I’m looking forward to continuing to build on that experience and developing my knowledge further.
I’m also looking forward to seeing where my career can take me. I’ve spent the last few years building a strong foundation of practical legal experience, and I want to continue learning, taking on more responsibility and developing into an increasingly knowledgeable and capable legal professional.
What advice might you give someone studying right now to help them be a winner next year?
My biggest piece of advice would be to be consistent rather than leaving everything until the last minute.
It can sometimes be difficult to balance studying with work and everything else going on in your life, but I found that breaking the work down into smaller, manageable sections made it much less overwhelming. Even when I didn’t have a huge amount of time available, making some progress was better than putting it off completely.
I’d also say to try to understand the material rather than simply learning it for the sake of completing an assessment. I found it really helpful to relate what I was studying to situations I was dealing with in my actual work. That made the information much easier to understand and remember, and it also helped me appreciate why I was learning it.
Finally, don’t be afraid to go back over something if you don’t understand it the first time. Ask questions, do some additional research and take the time to properly understand the subject. I found it quite rewarding to see how the knowledge I was gaining applies to real legal work.
How does this qualification fit into your career plan?
The qualification is an important foundation for the next stage of my career.
I already had practical experience working in a legal environment, but completing the qualification has given me a much stronger theoretical foundation to go alongside that experience. It has helped me develop my understanding of legal principles and procedures and, importantly, has given me more confidence in applying that knowledge to my day-to-day work.
My plan is to continue developing my experience as a paralegal, build on the knowledge I’ve gained through the Level 3 Diploma and continue taking on more responsibility as my skills develop. I see this qualification as a starting point rather than the end of my learning. I am considering further qualifications, and this qualification has opened doors for me to study at a higher level.
