The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs is excited to announce our partnership with Pathway. Pathway is a recruitment agency based in Belfast that specialises in legal recruitment.

Across Northern Ireland, law firms are busier than ever, and there is a clear shortage of skilled Legal Secretaries. At Pathway, we see first hand how critical these roles are to the smooth running of a practice. Legal Secretaries provide essential support, from managing case files and preparing documents to liaising with clients and supporting solicitors with their daily work. Their skills ensure firms can operate efficiently and deliver high quality service …

SecsintheCity, the UK’s only dedicated job site for PAs, EAs and business support professionals, has officially opened nominations for its 14th annual PA of the Year Awards.
  
These prestigious awards celebrate the invaluable contributions of Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants, Legal PAs and Business Support Managers across the UK. Whether you want to recognise a colleague or put yourself forward, this is the time to shine a light on exceptional talent. 
 
Award categories for this year include:  
● PA of the Year 
● Legal PA of the Year 
● Business Support Manager of the Year 

Nominations are open …

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) is launching the very first Level 5 Paralegal specific qualification to be accredited by Ofqual. 

The Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals joins NALP’s suite of Ofqual regulated Paralegal qualifications including Level 3 Certificate for Paralegal Technicians, Level 4 Certificate for Associate Paralegals, and the Level 7 Diploma in Paralegal Practice. Level 6 will be launched at a later date.

The Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals builds on the key foundational subjects required for a career within the legal profession, allowing learners to go into greater detail and further develop …

The Court of Protection (CoP) plays a crucial role in safeguarding individuals who lack the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves. For Legal Secretaries supporting Solicitors in Court of Protection matters, a grasp of the court’s function, processes, and documentation can make a real difference to client service and efficiency.

The Court of Protection is a specialist court in England and Wales that makes decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who cannot make decisions due to lack of capacity, as defined under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Key responsibilities include:

• Deciding whether someone has capacity …

If you’re considering a career as a Legal Secretary, you’ll be pleased to know that your skills are in demand across a wide variety of workplaces. While law firms are the most common employers, there are many other organisations where Legal Secretaries play a crucial role.

Here’s a breakdown of both the traditional and alternative places where you can build your career.

Law Firms

The traditional home of a Legal Secretary is the law firm. Whether it’s a small high-street Solicitor’s office or a large international practice, Legal Secretaries help Solicitors by preparing documents, organising case files, managing client communication and …

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 …

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: …

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. …

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 …

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 …