A growing concern is emerging across parts of the criminal justice system: the employment of individuals in legal support roles – often under the title “paralegal” – without any formal legal qualifications or professional training.
While sometimes justified as a way to increase workforce diversity or reduce costs, this trend risks severely undermining both the integrity of justice and the professional standing of qualified paralegals.
The Paralegal’s Role: More Than Administrative Work
Paralegals in criminal law are entrusted with responsibilities that go far beyond paperwork. From managing case files to supporting court proceedings, liaising with witnesses, and understanding disclosure obligations; every task requires not only accuracy but also legal awareness, ethical judgment, and procedural knowledge.
Assigning such duties to individuals without legal training creates a system where mistakes are not only likely, but inevitable.
Public and Private Sector Blind Spots
This issue is not exclusive to public services. Increasingly, some law firms also engage untrained staff to handle sensitive legal work – often unaware of the risks or hoping to cut costs.
The result? Errors in case management, unclear responsibilities, and in some instances, serious breaches of legal process.
Why Regulation and Clarity Matter
The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) has consistently championed the need for minimum standards, ethical codes, and proper training. Without these, the public cannot know who is competent – or even accountable – when things go wrong.
Using the term “paralegal” to describe anyone in a support role, regardless of skill or knowledge, is misleading and harmful.
A Call for Professionalism and Reform
This is not about restricting opportunities. It’s about ensuring that legal services are delivered responsibly and professionally.
We need clearer role definitions, proper supervision, and public transparency. Most importantly, the title “paralegal” should reflect verified competence – not convenience.
Justice is too important to be left in untrained hands.
Reinoldas Sidlauskas
Paralegal | RS Defence Legal Ltd
Member of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals
