If you work in an employment law team, one of the most important dates in your diary this autumn is 1 October 2026. From that date, the time limit for bringing most employment tribunal claims will increase from three months to six months.

It sounds like a simple change, but for the next few months you will be working with two sets of deadlines side by side. Getting this right is essential because a missed limitation date can end a client's case before it starts.

What is changing?

Currently, most employment tribunal claims, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, …

Confidentiality is one of the fundamental principles of working in the legal profession. Law firms handle highly sensitive information every day, from personal and financial details to business information, legal advice and documents relating to ongoing disputes. Clients need to be able to trust that the information they share with their legal representatives will be handled with the utmost care.

For Legal Secretaries and other legal support staff, understanding the importance of confidentiality is an essential part of professional practice. From answering telephone calls and managing correspondence to preparing documents and organising files, support staff are often trusted with …

If you're considering a career in legal support, becoming a Legal Secretary is one of the most accessible and rewarding routes into the legal profession. You don't need a law degree, and you don't need any experience to get started. Here's what the role involves and how to get there.

What Does a Legal Secretary Do?

Legal Secretaries are the backbone of a law firm or legal department. The role has moved well beyond typing and filing. On a typical day, a Legal Secretary might draft and send legal correspondence, prepare legal documents, manage case files, liaise with …

Learning about the law doesn't have to stop when the books are closed. Visiting a working court offers a first-hand look at how justice is delivered, and at the buildings, traditions and people that make up the legal world.

In this Q&A, ILSPA Member Jackie shares her experience of attending the Tour of the Royal Courts of Justice. Having completed her Legal Secretaries Diploma, Jackie explains how the visit helped bring her studies to life, what she enjoyed most about the historic building and why she would recommend the experience to fellow ILSPA Students and Members.

1. What …

Professional development is an important part of building a successful and rewarding career. For Legal Secretaries and PAs, keeping your knowledge and skills up to date can help you stay confident in your role, adapt to changes within the legal profession and demonstrate your commitment to your career.

With the year edging towards its final months, this is a great time to pause and reflect on your professional development so far. It is also an ideal opportunity to gather the information you need for your annual CPD record and start thinking about where you would like your development to …

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday legal practice. From summarising information and producing first drafts to assisting with research and administrative tasks, AI has the potential to make legal work quicker and more efficient.

For Legal Secretaries and PAs, however, its growing use may raise understandable questions about the future of the profession. The SRA's latest warning notice on the misuse of AI offers some reassurance. AI can assist legal professionals, but it cannot replace human judgement, responsibility and oversight.

What has the SRA said?

On 17 August 2026, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published a …

Legal Secretaries do far more than manage diaries and produce documents. They work at the heart of legal practice, supporting Solicitors, Barristers and legal teams in delivering an efficient service to clients. While strong administrative skills are essential, having a good understanding of the law can make a significant difference to both confidence and performance.

You Understand the Bigger Picture

Knowing the basics of areas such as Civil Litigation, Conveyancing, Probate or Family Law helps you understand where each document fits into the legal process. Rather than simply following instructions, you can appreciate the purpose behind the work …

Following the PA of the Year Awards in December 2025, ILSPA partner SecsintheCity caught up with 2025 Legal PA of the Year winner Chris Roberts, Executive Assistant to the General Counsel and Company Secretary at The Francis Crick Institute. Chris reflected on his transition from the creative arts to high-stakes scientific and legal environments, the distinct boundary between the EA and Chief of Staff roles, and why human intuition remains an indispensable career superpower.

How did you become a Legal EA?

My route into the profession was anything but linear. I began my career in the creative industries, …

For Legal Secretaries and PAs, AI has become a part of everyday work, drafting letters, completing forms, and preparing documents quickly and efficiently. It's a real time-saver, and used well, it can take a great deal of the routine burden out of document preparation. But it's worth knowing where its limits are: AI can produce a document that looks flawless and still get the details wrong.

Why this happens

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and CoPilot can produce documents that look polished and professional whilst still containing errors. This happens because AI predicts what text is likely …

For many of us, the arrival of summer brings a welcome change of pace. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and there are plenty of opportunities to spend time with family and friends. However, if you're studying alongside your other commitments, the summer holidays can also present some challenges.

Whether you're caring for children during the school holidays, planning a family getaway, or simply finding your usual routine has been turned upside down, fitting in study time can feel more difficult than usual.

The good news is that you don't have to put your studies on …