THE Law Society of Scotland Registered Paralegal Scheme has launched two new legal practice areas for those applying to join the scheme.
The Registered Paralegal Scheme, established in partnership with the Scottish Paralegal Association (SPA), has added family law and commercial conveyancing to the current set of eligible practice areas.
Entrants to the scheme must work in a particular area of law, called legal domains, under a supervising solicitor. There are now seven legal domains which also include civil litigation -debt recovery, criminal litigation, wills and executries, domestic conveyancing and liquor licensing.
Denise Robertson, registered paralegal manager at the Law Society, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to introduce two new legal domains and increase eligibility for entry to the scheme for those who want to become Registered Paralegals. There has been an excellent response so far and we plan to continue to develop new legal domains for those paralegals working in other fields.”
Almost 300 paralegals working across Scotland have applied for registered paralegal status, to date.
Alison Butters/Karen Leslie, joint presidents of the Scottish Paralegal Association, said: “This is another step forward for the scheme. There are a great number of paralegals who are keen to sign up as a registered paralegal and the increase in the areas of specialist practice means they now have the opportunity to apply.
“We’re delighted that so many paralegals want to become registered paralegals and that they are being supported by their employer solicitors.”
The Registered Paralegal Scheme offers key benefits, not only for the paralegal by providing a better career structure, but to employers who are able to recruit from high quality candidates and to clients who can be assured by the standards all Registered Paralegals are required to meet.
Entry to the Registered Paralegal Scheme will require paralegals to work for 12 months as a trainee registered paralegal under a supervising solicitor who will monitor their progress during the training period and confirm their competency at the end of the training period prior to being admitted as a registered paralegal.
For more information please see http://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/paralegals or email registeredparalegals@lawscot.org.uk
For further information journalists can contact Val McEwan on 0131 226 8884 or email valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk. For out of hours inquiries please call 0131 226 7411.
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Contact: Valerie McEwan
Phone: 0131 226 8884
Email: valeriemcewan@lawscot.org.uk
Website: http://www.lawscot.org.uk
