Legal secretaries often play an essential role within a law practice, almost as if they are the glue holding the organisation together. Although no formal legal training is required to become one, those taking up positions in the sector must have a firm grounding in secretarial-based occupations, from a relatively junior level to more responsible administrative work.
The position also involves a wide range of legal and business issues, meaning that those employed in such roles should possess not only strong secretarial skills but also a working knowledge of the law and the procedures comprising everyday practice. Such things as attending court, preparing forms and statements, liaising with clients and typing legal documents are an integral part of a legal secretary's responsibilities.
Courses on the subject, which are taught at many higher education institutions across the UK, aim to ensure that candidates have the necessary skills in place to be able to cope within a legal environment. For example, alongside City and Guilds, the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) provides a range of qualifications for legal secretaries, among other professions, which are designed to create a national standard for people working within the legal industry. No entry requirements are demanded in order to gain a place on the course - although a GCSE in English Language at grade C or above is considered desirable - and the content is judged on various assignments throughout its duration.
The position also involves a wide range of legal and business issues, meaning that those employed in such roles should possess not only strong secretarial skills but also a working knowledge of the law and the procedures comprising everyday practice. Such things as attending court, preparing forms and statements, liaising with clients and typing legal documents are an integral part of a legal secretary's responsibilities.
Courses on the subject, which are taught at many higher education institutions across the UK, aim to ensure that candidates have the necessary skills in place to be able to cope within a legal environment. For example, alongside City and Guilds, the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) provides a range of qualifications for legal secretaries, among other professions, which are designed to create a national standard for people working within the legal industry. No entry requirements are demanded in order to gain a place on the course - although a GCSE in English Language at grade C or above is considered desirable - and the content is judged on various assignments throughout its duration.
Course modules include legal information processing - learning various spreadsheet techniques and producing reports - and legal word processing. Another available course is the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PA's Diploma, a recognised qualification that would suit people with no experience whatsoever. The programme is so popular that many law firms enroll their existing staff on the student list and all that is required for entry is a good typing speed, a level of computer literacy - including word processing programmes - and an acceptable standard of English.
Without legal secretaries, lawyers may find themselves very often coming unstuck, unprepared for whatever case they happen to be working on. Solicitors' hours do have a tendency to be somewhat long and unpredictable and, as such, a person behind the scenes ensuring organisation and efficiency is very often not just a perk of the job but a very real necessity. However, those embarking on a new life as a legal secretary need not worry that they will be at the beck and call of a demanding lawyer for the rest of their professional days. There is a very real opportunity within the industry for career progression.
Courses put on by the ILEX are available to many people from different walks of life, necessitating a minimum of four GCSEs at grade C or above, including either English language or literature, or other equivalent qualifications. For people that have obtained these certificates, one of the primary benefits of the ILEX training programme is that they are able to earn and learn - working within a legal environment offers rewards in terms of money and valuable experience.
Without legal secretaries, lawyers may find themselves very often coming unstuck, unprepared for whatever case they happen to be working on. Solicitors' hours do have a tendency to be somewhat long and unpredictable and, as such, a person behind the scenes ensuring organisation and efficiency is very often not just a perk of the job but a very real necessity. However, those embarking on a new life as a legal secretary need not worry that they will be at the beck and call of a demanding lawyer for the rest of their professional days. There is a very real opportunity within the industry for career progression.
Courses put on by the ILEX are available to many people from different walks of life, necessitating a minimum of four GCSEs at grade C or above, including either English language or literature, or other equivalent qualifications. For people that have obtained these certificates, one of the primary benefits of the ILEX training programme is that they are able to earn and learn - working within a legal environment offers rewards in terms of money and valuable experience.
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Posted by: RamonGustav | Monday, 23 August 2010 at 04:39 PM