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

ILSPA's Next Online Classes - Wednesday 15 May

Date : 10 Apr 2024, 12:06 p.m.

Are you considering a career as a Legal Secretary or an existing Legal Secretary who would like to advance your skills and gain a formal qualification? If so, you're on the right path to having a dynamic and rewarding career in law. It’s essential to equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the legal profession. That's where the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs (ILSPA) comes in with their highly regarded Legal Secretaries Diploma course.

Starting on Wednesday 15 May, ILSPA offers you the opportunity to dive deep into the intricacies of a Legal Secretary …

Legal Obligations to Protect Animals

Date : 9 Apr 2024, 10:46 a.m.

The songs of Humpback whales are passed down through generations. Crows and ravens are renowned for their exceptional problem-solving skills. Elephants display empathy and emotional sensitivity. Chimpanzees and orangutans exhibit complex tool use. Dolphins engage in sophisticated vocalisations and coordinated behaviours. The interconnectedness of humans, animals and the environment is recognised by the World Health Organisation, and the body of scientific work into intelligence within the animal kingdom continues to grow. Science tells us that animals are social and sentient creatures, that they experience the world much like we do, but the law treats them very differently. Despite some progress, …

Take Part in the SecsintheCity 2024 Salary Survey

Date : 2 Apr 2024, 4:55 p.m.

Help Us Define Industry Standards and Find Out if You Are Being Paid Fairly in 2024: Take Part in the SecsintheCity salary survey

SecsintheCity; the UK’s leading specialist job site for PAs, EAs and other business support professionals, is turning to its valued audience and followers to contribute to the 2024 salary survey.

Following a year of uncertainty and continued resilience to innumerable economic challenges, SecsintheCity strives to investigate and understand the 2024 business support employment market. Building on findings from previous audience insight surveys, we strive to determine the current trends, challenges and changes facing the business support recruitment …

How to Overcome Potential Barriers to Progression in the Legal Sector

Date : 21 Mar 2024, 10:24 a.m.

A career in the legal sector is incredibly rewarding, but it can be demanding – particularly in those first few months of trying to navigate your new role. If you’ve gone to the ‘right’ university, know someone in the legal industry or have post-graduate qualifications, you may find you land your dream role swiftly. While this is a great advantage for lots of keen law professionals, it can create a bubble of employees who are cut from a similar cloth, when the legal system needs diversity to represent everyone fairly.

We want the legal sector to be inclusive, and while …

Celebrating Progress and Achievements on International Women’s Day

Date : 6 Mar 2024, 11:34 a.m.

In honour of International Women's Day on Friday 8 March, we would like to reflect on the remarkable journey of women worldwide, acknowledging their achievements, and recognising the ongoing efforts towards gender equality. Over the years, women have made significant strides in various fields, breaking barriers, and shattering stereotypes.

The progress made by women is truly remarkable. From securing the right to vote to holding top positions in politics, business, science, and the arts, women have proven their capabilities time and again. It's essential to acknowledge the inspiring examples that have paved the way for future generations.

One such example is …

Take Part in the TotallyLegal 2024 Salary Survey

Date : 5 Mar 2024, 2:27 p.m.

Help us define industry standards and find out if you are being paid fairly in 2024: Take part in the TotallyLegal Salary Survey.

TotallyLegal, the UK’s leading specialist legal job site for lawyers and legal professionals, is turning to its valued audience and followers to contribute to the 2024 salary survey.

Following a year of uncertainty and continued resilience to innumerable economic challenges, TotallyLegal strives to investigate and understand the 2024 legal employment market. Building on findings from previous audience insight surveys, we strive to determine the current trends, challenges and changes facing the legal recruitment landscape.

TotallyLegal asks for …

How to Become a Legal Secretary with No Experience

Date : 5 Mar 2024, 2:06 p.m.

Entering a new career path can be both exciting and daunting, especially in a field as dynamic and prestigious as law. 

If you are aiming to become a legal secretary in the UK but need more direct experience in the legal world, fear not. We have written this guide to help you navigate the steps, resources, and advice needed to break into this career successfully. With determination and the right approach, your goal is well within reach.

Understanding the Role of a Legal Secretary

A legal secretary plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of law firms and legal departments.  …

Interview Advice for Legal PAs: How to Answer Scenario Questions

Date : 21 Feb 2024, 2:56 p.m.

Our trusted partners SecsintheCitythe UK’s leading job site for business support professionals, have provided us with their expert advice on how to answer scenario questions in your next Legal PA interview. A commonly dreaded part of any interview - the following article is curated to help settle your fears, help you lean into your strengths and, ultimately, help you succeed in your interview.

As a Legal PA, situational challenges are a part of the day-to-day job. The ability to think on your feet, and act in a proactive manner comes with the territory. The way you assess, react …

Could a Legal Apprenticeship Be Right For You?

Date : 16 Feb 2024, 1:37 p.m.

Apprenticeships have been around for hundreds of years. They were started in England by the Statute of Artificers in 1563.

Whilst the popularity of apprenticeships declined in the early 1900s, they have seen a resurgence thanks to the introduction of Modern Apprenticeships in 1992, providing more opportunities for school leavers in a wider variety of careers. This has been expanded and improved upon over subsequent years and today we have apprenticeships at all levels from Level 2 to Level 6 (which is considered the equivalent to a Degree) and for all ages.

The number, and type, of professions embracing apprenticeships …

ILSPA Discount for ILFM Legal Compliance Conference: Navigating Finance and Managing Excellence

Date : 12 Feb 2024, 10:09 a.m.

Thursday 16th May 2024 - The Law Society, Chancery Lane, London 

The legal profession’s leading Finance, Compliance & Practice Management Conference is back for Spring 2024! 

It is being hosted at the prestigious and historic venue of the Law Society in Chancery Lane, London, with an incredible lineup of speakers already confirmed, and more names coming soon. 

Confirmed speakers:

Shaun Jardine from Big Yellow Penguin - Is AI the final nail in the coffin of the billable hour?

Sean Hankin the SRA, Head of Forensic Investigation + Intelligence + Chartered Accountant - Complying with the Accounts Rules and common issues surrounding QARs and on-site visits. …