ILSPA's Legal Secretary Blog - Discover the latest legal insights, receive expert career advice and elevate your professional skills

Top 10 Tech Tools Every Legal Secretary Should Master in 2025

Date : 18 Aug 2025, 1:51 p.m.

In today’s fast-paced legal world, the role of a Legal Secretary continues to evolve. Mastering the right technology is not only about efficiency—it’s about demonstrating professional competence, ensuring accuracy, and enhancing the value you bring to your team.

Whether you’re working in a large, bustling city law firm or supporting a solo practitioner, these ten essential tools will help you work smarter, stay organised, and contribute to the success of your practice.

1. Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Still the backbone of office productivity, Microsoft 365 remains indispensable.

  • Word for drafting, formatting, and reviewing legal documents.
  • Excel for tracking case …

Family Hubs: Supporting Separating Parents

Date : 8 Aug 2025, 11:54 a.m.

In a major step toward strengthening family support, the UK government has unveiled significant investment in Family Hubs and online tools designed to help separating parents access guidance and dispute resolution options before entering the court system. This signals a meaningful shift toward early intervention, aiming to reduce conflict, promote co-parenting, and relieve the mounting pressure on family courts.

What are Family Hubs?

Family Hubs are evolving into the modern answer to outdated, fragmented family support services. Unlike traditional children’s centres, Family Hubs serve both children and their caregivers, offering access to a range of services under one roof. 

Services typically include: …

Popular 'Unlocking the AI Revolution' Course: New Date and ILSPA Discount

Date : 6 Aug 2025, 1:47 p.m.

New Dates Announced!

After great feedback from their previous session, Executive Support are bringing their 'Unlocking the AI Revolution' course back! Don’t miss your chance to join them on October 21st & 23rd 2025 for this exclusive opportunity to earn your Microsoft AI Certification Badge and unlock the power of AI!

Prepare for the Future with Microsoft AI Certification
This 6-hour program, led by Microsoft Certified Trainer, Professor Corinne Hoisington, empowers administrative professionals to earn the Microsoft Certified: AI Badge, validating your expertise in AI-powered solutions.

You'll Learn How To:

- Master Essential AI Tools: Gain hands-on experience with ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Copilot, and more. …

Common Proofreading Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Date : 25 Jul 2025, 9:31 a.m.

In the fast-paced world of law, precision is essential. Legal Secretaries play a vital role in maintaining the accuracy and professionalism of legal documents. However, even the most diligent professionals can fall prey to common proofreading mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls is the first step in preventing them.

Here are some of the most frequent proofreading errors and how to avoid them:

1. Overlooking Homophones
Example: “Their” vs. “There” vs. “They’re” or “Principal” vs. “Principle”

Legal writing demands absolute clarity. Confusing homophones can change the meaning of a sentence and potentially affect the interpretation of legal content.

Tip: Read the document …

My Journey to Becoming a Qualified Legal Secretary at 60

Date : 18 Jul 2025, 12:31 p.m.

I am 60 years old, very soon to be 61. I don’t feel it, I hope I don’t look it, and I certainly don’t act it!

My life has been quite eventful, and I have tried to do things that are interesting and different. When I talk about my life at work nobody believes half of what I say, or they say I’ve lived a couple of lifetimes in one! The fact that I am over twice most of their ages anyway speaks volumes! My background was in scientific research, then scientific sales, then logistics. I have worked for research …

Exclusive ILSPA Discount - Executive Support LIVE Returns to London

Date : 11 Jul 2025, 10:23 a.m.

London, we’re coming back - and we’re bringing the best. 

This November, Executive Support LIVE returns to London for the first time since 2022 - and it’s going to be unmissable.

Forget everything you think you know about conferences. This is two days of transformation for Senior Assistants who are ready to lead, grow, and own their space at the top. You can expect:

  • World-class speakers like Chynna Clayton (former Special Assistant to Michelle Obama) and Libby Moore (Oprah’s former Chief of Staff), Lizebeth Koloko Green, Simone White, Laura Belgrado and Peggy Vasquez
  • The Supper Club at Gaucho - an …

Understanding Legal Ethics: A Guide for Support Staff

Date : 26 Jun 2025, 1:03 p.m.

Legal ethics form the foundation of the legal profession, ensuring fairness, integrity, and the rule of law. While lawyers often take the spotlight when discussing ethical responsibilities, support staff such as Legal Secretaries play an equally critical role in maintaining these standards. This guide explores the core principles of legal ethics and provides practical advice for support staff.

What Are Legal Ethics?

Legal ethics are a set of rules and principles that govern the behaviour of legal professionals. In the UK, Solicitors are bound by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct, while Barristers follow the Bar Standards Board …

ILSPA Enhances Legal Secretary Training with Insight into AI

Date : 19 Jun 2025, 1:13 p.m.

We’re delighted to share an exciting update to our Key Legal Secretary Skills unit. We’ve introduced a new section on artificial intelligence, designed to equip our Students with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the evolving legal landscape.

At ILSPA, our aim is to equip our Students with both the foundational skills essential to a Legal Secretary role and the insight needed to keep pace with the advancement of technology. This balanced approach ensures they are confident in traditional practices while also gaining a clear understanding of how emerging tools like AI can enhance their work. Whether they are part of a firm that embraces advanced technology …

Why High-Impact Assistants Focus on a ‘Stop Doing’ List First

Date : 12 Jun 2025, 12:06 p.m.

Executive and Personal Assistants are expected to move quickly and think even faster. Managing complex schedules, coordinating critical logistics, and handling last-minute changes are part of the job. The demands are constant, and the to-do list never stops growing.

But being an effective Assistant isn’t just about doing more. It’s about making smarter decisions about what not to do.

Creating impact means focusing time and energy where it matters most. Building a Stop Doing list is a practical way to refocus your efforts and increase the value you bring to your executive every day.

Why a “Stop Doing” List Matters …

Breaking Down the SecsintheCity 2025 Salary Survey Results

Date : 27 May 2025, 3:18 p.m.

The annual SecsintheCity Salary Survey has once again shed light on the business support profession, offering valuable insights into trends, rewards, and workplace dynamics across sectors. This year, legal secretaries and PAs stand out as the champions of loyalty, recognition, and adaptability. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways from the survey:

Legal Secretaries and PAs Lead in Loyalty

In 2025, Legal Secretaries and PAs demonstrated the highest company loyalty among surveyed roles, with an impressive 47% remaining in their roles for more than seven years. This unwavering commitment highlights their deep integration within the legal sector and their …