Paralegals

Paralegals play an increasingly important role in many law firms and over the coming years, the value of that role is likely to increase as more and more firms “commoditise” the way in which they work and find more cost effective ways in which to work.

Although the term “paralegal” covers a wide range of legal staff with varying skill sets, nevertheless many of those staff become integrally involved in client work and as a result need to be as aware as other legal staff of the duties which affect their work. For example, under the amended Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007, all staff employed within a solicitors practice are subject to those conduct rules and can find themselves answering allegations of unprofessional conduct or find themselves in breach of the provisions of the rules.

Although there is as yet no legally accepted standard for paralegals, nevertheless an increasing number are joining the Institute of Paralegals and as such are becoming adhering to their National Competency Standards for Paralegals and Legal Support Staff. The Institute has the support of, amongst others, The Law Society of England & Wales, the Bar Council, Citizens Advice and the Crown Prosecution Service, all of whom recognised the need for the developing paralegal profession to have a representative body.

The Lawyers Defence Group can help all paralegals whether they are working in private practice or in other commercial organisations or government or other bodies. We can assist you with issues arising under the codes of conduct of other regulators, practice management and accountancy issues, employment problems and matters relating to finance. You will also find helpful links to other information provided by organisations such as the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Legal Complaints Service as well as news items, current information and regulatory and conduct related case reports.

To find the information you require, use the drop down menus above or if there is a particular topic with which you require help, use the search box to the right of this page.

If there are specific issues which concern you, then please contact the Lawyers Defence Group and we will arrange for you to be put in touch with a suitably qualified person who can assist you with you. You can contact the Lawyers Defence Group:

• by telephone during office hours – 0333 888 4070
• out of hours in an emergency – for example if a partner has been arrested or you believe that your firm might be about to be intervened in – on our emergency phone number 07952 861 868
• by email on help@lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk
• if you are a registered user of the web site, by completing and submitting the free, no obligation, call-back form to the right of this text following which someone from the Lawyers Defence Group will get back to you at a time which is convenient to you, or
• by writing to us at Lawyers Defence Group, Richard Nelson Solicitors, 8 The Courtyard, 707, Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3DA