I just wanted to share with you the news that I have been happily employed at an IP firm in the city for just over a month now! We are starting up a litigation department and I am the Paralegal (I get to bill some of my time - wow!) to two Fee Earners, one of which is a Partner.

There is not a lot of litigation work as of yet, but I have been keeping busy learning this office's electronic systems (they run mainly as a paperless firm) and procedures. It is a real pleasure being back in a professional environment, and within IP law too! January and February were a busy couple of months, meeting with different recruiters and then being called to interview at four firms, and back for second interviews to three of them. I liked all three firms for different reasons but EIP was at the top of my list and they put the best offer forward as well. I must give thanks to you for teaching a great course and helping build my confidence back up. I also thank the Institute for "jazzing" up my CV - I was thrilled with how they reformatted it! Again, another great boost to the confidence.

I am now considering the Paralegal course as I am sure there is much I can learn from it.

Many thanks again for all your help. It is greatly appreciated.

Melanie Rice, London

In my time studying for the Legal Secretaries Diploma, I have found the whole course to be both enjoyable and rewarding to undertake. The course materials sent were easy to understand and I found the Achievement Tests at the end of each unit very beneficial in gaining a solid understanding of the areas of law studied.

Having undertaken the various assessment criteria for units 3-5, I have found the whole process to be very insightful and beneficial to learn the procedural skills required as a legal secretary within a solicitor's office. The knowledge and skills gained has greatly enhanced my awareness and appreciation of the role of a legal secretary and the necessary skills required to succeed in the legal profession.

Geoffrey Tan, Wales

I really enjoyed this course; it was much more than I expected. Every aspect from the unit material, achievements tests and assessments all kept me interested throughout. The way of learning suited me and I definitely would not hesitate to complete another course with the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs. I hope this course will provide me with more than just a qualification.

Grace Woolford, Surrey

I would like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the course and will definitely consider studying one of the areas in further detail, by undertaking one of the other courses that you offer.

I have found you very helpful and whenever I have had a query I have always had a helpful and informative response in return. I chose to ask you any questions via email and I always receive a response within a couple of days. I liked the way that the course was laid out, with a combination of multiple choice tests and coursework to complete.

I am really glad that I chose this course and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Helen Corcoran, Hampshire

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it quite challenging which was good. I really enjoyed completing the Portfolio as I feel this will really help when working as a Legal Secretary and everything I had learnt beforehand fell into place and I understood it more. Thank you for all your help.

Taryn Standing, Oxfordshire

I have pleasure in enclosing my Legal Secretaries Diploma Portfolio for your assessment. I would like to express my appreciation towards the wonderful and informative course the Institute has provided. It was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing a career as a legal secretary.

Putri Majid, Worcester

I would like to say that I enjoyed the course. I find law interesting anyway, but the course was informative and well explained. If I was ever confused by a passage, it usually became clear after reading it again and I especially liked the examples/scenarios given to help explain certain topics. The achievement tests were useful and, as a distant learner especially, they provided an opportunity for communication on a regular basis. The assessments, although having to be done anyway for the portfolio, provided an excellent introduction to the work that is likely to be required in an actual firm and I think that this practical level was therefore essential for preparation to work as a legal secretary.

I hope to remain a member of the Institute as I believe it is a good organisation to be associated with.

Hannah Coleman, Shropshire

The Institute is to be congratulated on the invaluable course material produced and thanked for making my introduction into the legal field so enjoyable and easy. Please do not hesitate to supply my name as reference to any new students.

Margaret De Villiers, Essex

I have thoroughly enjoyed doing this course alongside my work as Secretary to the Legal Practice Manager. It has helped me to understand why as well as how to do certain tasks.

I am hoping to pursue my career in law and this has given me a very good foundation to what I hope will be an interesting journey.

Marie Kerton, Herefordshire