Society's paralegal scheme out for views

Feedback invited for proposals on how to become "Law Society of Scotland Registered Paralegal"

News, 14 May 2008

A proposed scheme to allow Scotland's paralegals to receive official recognition of their status has been launched for public comment.

The Law Society of Scotland has been working with the Scottish Paralegal Association (SPA), which has campaigned for several years for recognition of paralegals, on the creation of the "Law Society of Scotland Registered Paralegal", which it proposes to award to those who can show both a certain level of qualification and sufficient experience of working in a legal office.

In its policy paper the Society explains the benefits from the scheme as including:

reassurance that a paralegal has a sufficient level of skill;
clear outcomes for those wishing to train paralegals, whether in-house or as education providers;
competitive advantage; and
cost effectiveness.

How to qualify

Those applying for registration would need to demonstrate skills in a particular area of law, such as conveyancing, civil or criminal litigation, debt recovery, wills and executries, or licensing - comprising both a recognisedqualification from a university, college or other provider, and a minimum of a year's full time equivalent supervised office practice. "Trainee" status will be available for those working towards full qualification.

There will also be certain requirements as to good character.

A standing committee of the Society, the SPA and public interest members, would oversee the scheme, appointing panels as necessary to deal with individual admission and disciplinary issues.

Registration would initially be voluntary, but only those achieving registered status would be entitled to use the title and to benefit from the Society's services. Existing members of the SPA, which already operates a grading scheme, will be entitled to transitional privileges.

The full scheme, and a six page summary, can be read at http://www.lawscot.co.uk/paralegals, which also has a link to a quick questionnaire for those not responding to the questions in the full document. The consultation closes at 12 noon on Friday 18 July.