The UK employment law landscape is undergoing significant change. At the end of 2025, the government introduced a new Budget and passed the Employment Rights Act 2025. Over the next two years, a series of reforms will strengthen employee protections, expand family-friendly rights, and place new compliance obligations on employers. For Legal Secretaries and those supporting HR teams, understanding these developments is essential.

Below is a practical overview of the most important employment law updates and what they mean in day-to-day legal practice.

Strengthened Unfair Dismissal Rights

One of the most notable reforms is the expansion of unfair dismissal protection.

- The …

Unlocking the AI Revolution 
Earn your Microsoft Certified AI Badge 
10 & 17 March 2026 | Online 
 
A beginner-friendly six-hour programme designed specifically for administrative professionals who want practical AI skills.
 
What you will learn 
 
Gain hands on experience with AI tools reshaping administrative work, including ChatGPT, Copilot, Perplexity, Claude, and advanced chatbots. You will learn how to: 
 
- Automate repetitive tasks 
- Streamline workflows 
- Extract meaningful insights 
- Support better leadership decisions 
- Increase productivity without increasing workload 
- Use AI responsibly and confidently 
 
Led by Professor Corinne Hoisington, Microsoft Certified Trainer and …

SecsintheCity and TotallyLegal, the UK’s leading specialist job sites for business and legal support professionals, have officially launched their respective 2026 Salary Surveys.

These annual surveys are designed to gather critical insights into earnings, benefits, and professional trends. By capturing data directly from the workforce, both companies aim to provide the most comprehensive benchmarks for their respective industries.

These surveys gather critical insights into earnings and professional life across their respective sectors, and provide a comprehensive view of current pay levels, benefits, working arrangements, and career trends across a wide range of roles.

Recognised as two of the industry’s most …

As the new year begins, Legal Secretaries have a valuable opportunity to reset, refocus, and establish habits that support a more organised and efficient way of working. Small, thoughtful changes to daily routines can have a meaningful impact on productivity, stress levels, and the overall smooth running of your legal team.

With that in mind, here are some smart admin habits to help you start the year strong.

1. Refresh Your Filing and Digital Organisation

A new year is the perfect time to declutter. Review both physical and digital files, archive closed matters, remove duplicates, and standardise naming conventions. A …

A new year often brings a renewed sense of motivation — a chance to reset, refocus and create positive change in both our personal and professional lives. For Legal Secretaries, PAs and aspiring legal professionals, taking time to set meaningful intentions can boost confidence, sharpen focus, and create momentum toward the next stage of your career.

Below is a simple yet effective three-step plan to help you set meaningful intentions for the year ahead.

1. Reflect on the Year That Has Passed

Before deciding where you want to go, take a moment to appreciate where you’ve been. Reflection is an essential …

ILSPA's trusted partner, The Legists, has put together these fascinating insights into the role of Legal Secretaries and what the future holds in store for people working in the position. 

Legal Secretaries have long been a central part of the UK legal sector, supporting solicitors, partners, and entire practice teams with essential administrative and organisational work. Yet the role has evolved dramatically in recent years, shaped by digital transformation, hybrid working, and the accelerating influence of Artificial Intelligence. This detailed guide explores what Legal Secretaries do, how their responsibilities are changing, how AI is influencing the profession, and what the …

Through the years, legal dramas have been regular offerings on TV and at the cinema. Atticus Finch, Perry Mason, Ally McBeal, Denny Crane and Harvey Specter are just a few of the characters to have entertained millions and inspired many to pursue careers in law. 

The first route into the legal profession many people think of is qualifying as a Solicitor, but the fees are hefty, and it takes a significant amount of time. To qualify as a Solicitor, you should plan on it taking five to six years and you need to be prepared to spend £27,000 on a degree …

Let’s be honest - Email is the lifeblood of the modern assistant. It’s how you keep the plates spinning, the projects moving, and your Executive’s world perfectly choreographed. However, as much as we like to think we’ve got our inboxes under control, even the most seasoned Executive or Personal Assistant can fall into the trap of using tired or misunderstood email phrases that send the wrong message.

A recent Forbes survey highlighted the email expressions that make co-workers cringe. When you’re the gatekeeper to the Executive’s inbox, those nuances matter more than ever. The way you write sets the tone …

The legal sector is evolving, and so are the skills employers expect from their support staff. Modern Legal Secretaries are now required to combine strong administrative abilities with solid legal skills and an awareness of the digital tools used in today’s offices. To help jobseekers and professionals develop these in-demand skills, we are running our next online Legal Secretaries Diploma course on Wednesday 28 January 2026.

Delivered one evening per week over twelve weeks, this flexible course provides Students with the essential knowledge and skills required to perform effectively in a law firm or legal department. It is ideal for anyone looking to start a …

This year’s winners of the NALP Paralegal Achievement Awards were announced at the fifth annual National Paralegal Day, hosted by NALP (The National Association of Licensed Paralegals).

These awards recognise outstanding learners across NALP’s suite of Ofqual regulated Paralegal qualifications.

The 2025 winners are: 

• LEVEL 3 CERT FOR PARALEGAL TECHNICIANS: SCARLETT REID-GORDON – CENTRE: Cardiff and Vale 
• LEVEL 4 DIPLOMA IN PARALEGAL STUDIES: JULIENNE GRESOCK – CENTRE: NPC (National Paralegal College) 
• LEVEL 7 DIPLOMA IN PARALEGAL PRACTICE: RUQAYAH AKBAR – CENTRE: NPC (National Paralegal College) 
• LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN PARALEGAL PRACTICE: DONNA MAMIGONIAN – CENTRE: DATALAW 
• LEVEL 3 CERTIFICATE …