Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys
Guidance Sheet for NALP Members in relation to the High Court Judgment in the case of Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys (2025) This judgment is only relevant to one reserved legal activity: the ‘conduct of litigation’. The judgment effectively does not change the legal requirement as stated in the Legal Services Act 2007, that to […]
The role of Paralegals and how they can benefit any law firm
Over the last few decades, the perception of what paralegals are, and what they can do, has changed significantly. They used to be regarded in the early days as legal secretaries, then simply as law graduates wanting to gain experience before going on to qualify as solicitors or barristers, even being described in some quarters […]
A Paralegal’s view on language-based injustice faced by Eastern European migrants in UK policing
In the UK’s complex criminal justice system, Eastern European migrants often struggle with procedures obscured by language and cultural barriers. As a paralegal working behind the scenes, I regularly support clients who are not unwilling to engage but simply unable to access justice meaningfully. Though not accredited to represent clients in police stations, I’ve witnessed […]
What is meant by ‘regulation’ in the Paralegal Sector?
Paralegals are not regulated in the same way as solicitors and barrister, as there is no statutory requirement for this. In other words, there is no enabling statute within the UK Legal System giving the power to one organisation to both regulate how paralegals are qualified and to monitor their conduct. This distinguishes paralegals from […]
Can working as a paralegal be a stepping stone to being a solicitor?
The short answer is, yes. If you are working in the legal sector as a paralegal, it can count towards your two years’ qualifying work experience should you wish to go on to do your SQE (Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination). The slightly longer answer is that it doesn’t have to be. Working as a paralegal practitioner […]
How to answer legal exam/assignment questions
Few people love taking exams, and even if you know the answer to the question, formulating it in the correct way to ensure the best exam or assignment results can be a challenge. But don’t worry, there is a knack to it that you can learn. Legal questions can be asked in two ways on […]
Are qualifications really worth the time and money?
If you are going to invest in yourself and your future career prospects by studying to gain a recognised qualification, this will come at a cost both financially and in the commitment of your time and effort. When making an investment (or any expenditure), you really want to be sure that the future value you […]
The Advantages and Limitations to a business that utilises the services of a paralegal
By Amanda Hamilton, Patron, National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) When running a business, you are always mindful of costs, and when something goes wrong, the immediate thought is ‘how much is it going to cost to put it right?’ If that something happens that has an element of legality, it’s natural to turn to […]
How Paralegals can ensure they are offering the best service to clients and that they are not breaking the rules around ‘Holding Out’
By Amanda Hamilton, Patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), As a paralegal practitioner, one of the most important issues to bear in mind when offering legal services to consumers, is to ensure that you are not ‘holding out’. What is ‘Holding Out’? This is when you give an impression either by inference […]
The battle between law and AI: Navigating legal challenges in the defence sector.
By Yasmin Underwood, defence consultant and member of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) Four years ago, I took a bold leap away from the safety blanket of my traditional legal career path, into the complex, everchanging world of defence technology. As someone who has been used to working within the familiar comfort of […]
