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

Paralegal Achievement Award Winners Announced

Date : 13 Nov 2024, 5:13 p.m.

The fourth National Paralegal Day, hosted by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) took place at the Six Clerks Bar within the Law Society at 113 Chancery Lane, London this week (Monday 11th November).

This year’s winners of the ‘NALP Paralegal Achievement Awards’ were announced on the night.

The winners are:

  • Highest Achievement for the NALP Level 3 Award 2023/24: Sponsored by JK Total Business Solutions – URSULA KING
  • Highest Achievement for the Level 3 Certificate 2023/24: Sponsored by Mindful Education – LISA FOX
  • Highest Achievement for the NALP Level 3 Diploma in Paralegal Practice 2023/24: Sponsored by the National …

The PA Show 2025 – ExCeL London

Date : 6 Nov 2024, 2:55 p.m.

The PA Show is one of the largest gathering of Executive Support Professionals in the UK.

Whether you’re a PA, Legal PA, Executive Assistant, Office Manager, Virtual Assistant or involved in office support in any way, The PA Show offers you the chance to enhance your skills and knowledge, grow your network of contacts, and source premium global suppliers to support you in your role.

The PA Show offers unique access to a wealth of CPD accredited training designed to support professionals excel at every stage of their career.

The PA Show will feature world class CPD accredited Theatres. The Keynote …

An Interview with ILSPA Graduate - CJ Carter

Date : 29 Oct 2024, 10:26 a.m.

ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma Course is designed to be suitable for all levels of experience and fit around people's existing commitments, be that work, family or additional studies. We recently had the pleasure of speaking to CJ Carter who recently completed the Diploma with ILSPA. CJ spoke about how she fitted her work around her family and what her studies have now given her the opportunity to do.   
 
What were you doing before you joined ILSPA?
Before and while studying for the Legal Secretary Diploma, I was both a stay-at-home mum, as well as doing work needed for …

You are Invited to National Paralegal Day 2024

Date : 23 Oct 2024, 3:30 p.m.

The National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) will be hosting the fourth National Paralegal Day with an evening event at the Six Clerks Bar within the Law Society at 113 Chancery Lane, London on Monday 11th November from 7pm to 9pm. 

The event will also host the annual ‘NALP Paralegal Achievement Awards’. 

The Awards are for: 

Highest Achievement for the NALP Level 3 Award 2023/24: Sponsored by JK Total Business Solutions
Highest Achievement for the Level 3 Certificate 2023/24: Sponsored by Mindful Education
Highest Achievement for the NALP Level 3 Diploma in Paralegal Practice 2023/24: Sponsored by the National Paralegal …

Probate Research is a Rewarding Paralegal Career Option

Date : 7 Oct 2024, 12:37 p.m.

Many legal secretaries see progression into the paralegal sector as a desirable career move. Working as a paralegal can take on many forms, but one of the most rewarding areas is probate research.

During my 21 years in probate research, I have distributed inheritances to a diverse group of individuals, including famous faces, landed gentry, minor royals, persons of no fixed abode, a former neighbour, and an old school friend. Beneficiaries come from all walks of life, but it can be a challenge navigating the complexities involved in passing on a person’s estate. Probate researchers combine knowledge of the process …

Remote Hearings: What Legal Secretaries Need to Know

Date : 4 Oct 2024, 2:05 p.m.

Over recent years, the legal profession has undergone significant changes due to both technological advancements and practical necessities. One of the most prominent changes for legal professionals, including Legal Secretaries, has been the transition to remote hearings. The HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has introduced a new video hearings service that has become a crucial part of the justice system in the wake of court closures and funding reallocations. Understanding how this shift impacts the court process, your role, and the broader court system is essential.

The Push Towards Remote Hearings

The COVID-19 pandemic was the primary catalyst that …

An Interview with Lisa Unsted – Why ILSPA’s Course is a Fantastic Refresher

Date : 30 Sep 2024, 3 p.m.

ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma is a fantastic refresher course for people who are considering returning to the legal sector after a long break. 

ILSPA recently spoke to Lisa Unsted who completed the Diploma earlier this year. Lisa worked as a Legal Secretary back in the 1990s but then went on to train as a Nurse. After many years in her nursing career, Lisa decided to return to the legal profession but was conscious that law and procedures would have evolved since she last worked in the sector.

In this article, Lisa discusses how studying ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course helped …

How to Prepare for an Online Interview

Date : 19 Sep 2024, 10:05 a.m.

Online interviews are often easier to organise than face-to-face, as they make interview times and locations less of an issue. This approach allows for more flexibility in the hiring process and widens the candidate pool. They are an efficient way to meet and discuss available opportunities. 

By now, you probably know the basics: make sure you have a reliable internet connection, dress appropriately, and opt for a quiet space.

But what else can you do to ensure you’re getting the best chance of securing a new role?

Preparing the perfect setting

We all know that it is best to pick a tidy, …

An Interview with Lauren Sweeney - Legal PA of the Year 2023

Date : 9 Sep 2024, 11:28 a.m.

SecsintheCity, the UK’s only job site dedicated to Personal Assistants, is hosting the 13th annual PA of the Year awards in 2024. These awards celebrate the vital support that Personal Assistants, Executive Assistants and Business Support Managers bring to businesses across the UK. The clock is ticking to submit your Legal PA of the Year 2024 nominations, as the deadline of 20th September is fast approaching!

Legal PA of the Year is one of the awards’ most popular categories. Those in Legal PA jobs are indispensable members of many law firms, Barrister’s chambers and in-house legal teams, providing administrative and …

How to Build a Strong Professional Relationship with Your Executive

Date : 4 Sep 2024, 11:19 a.m.

We’ve got some tips on one of the most important aspects of working as a personal/executive assistant: building a strong professional relationship with your executive. This bond is the backbone of your work, helping everything run smoothly and efficiently. So, let’s dive into some quick and easy strategies to foster a connection that’s not only professional but also genuinely supportive and collaborative. 

Understand Their Working Style 

First things first, you need to get a handle on your executive’s working style.

• Observe and learn: Pay attention to how they prefer to work - do they like early mornings or late …