Malcolm Trotter is a renowned global education and training professional. In this article with our Partner, The National Association of Licensed Paralegals, he talks about the benefits of studying and how people should embrace recognised qualifications, not just degrees, to further their careers.   

Obtaining a university degree in the United Kingdom continues to be a goal for a significant number of individuals. With its array of academic disciplines, career prospects, and personal growth opportunities, pursuing higher education offers numerous benefits. But are those benefits of equal value to everyone who takes that path?

Return on your investment

Studying to gain a …

Legal Secretaries, PAs, and EAs need a high level of competence to perform their roles effectively. When Fatma realised she could not support the Barrister she was working for to her desired standard, she pursued ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma to acquire legal knowledge and practical skills.

What were you doing before you joined ILSPA?

Before joining ILSPA, I was working as an EA to three directors including a Barrister.

Why did you decide to do ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma course?

The majority of the time, I felt helpless and couldn't assist the Barrister at my previous role to the highest level …

At the heart of every successful journey lies the choice to embark on a path of growth and distinction. Here at ILSPA, we understand the importance of recognising your accomplishments and striving for greater heights in your legal career. That's why we offer a choice of Membership levels tailored to your qualifications and experience.

For those who have passed our Legal Secretaries Diploma course, the journey continues with Affiliate Membership. It's more than just a designation; it's a badge of honour that signifies your expertise to employers. As you renew your Membership, envision proudly displaying your Affiliate Membership certificate, a …

Working as a paralegal practitioner can be just as rewarding as being a solicitor and involves much of the same work. Working as a paralegal can also be a stepping stone to becoming a solicitor and can count towards your two years’ qualifying work experience should you wish to go on to do your Solicitors’ Qualifying Examination (SQE).

How you make the move from paralegal to solicitor depends very much on whether or not you have a qualifying law degree or a degree in another discipline (or equivalent, such as an Ofqual Level 6 qualification).

If you do have a …

Dr. Gerbrand Tholen from the Department of Sociology and Criminology, City, University of London would like to invite UK-based legal secretaries to participate in a research study. 

What is the purpose of the study?
In the last few decades, many experts have tried to understand how occupations have changed under the influence of new technologies, globalisation, and developments in work and procedures.

So-called “middle occupations”, often white-collar workers in administrative roles or technicians, have faced some of the biggest changes to their work. As the use of both technology and A.I. increase, we can expect further changes to these roles. …

Congratulations! You've made it to the second round of interviews for a Legal Secretary position. This is a significant achievement and a testament to the professional and capable impression you made on the first round. Whilst the first interview would have covered the essentials, the second interview delves deeper into your capabilities and fit for the role. One of our Students inspired us to write this blog post after securing a second interview with a multinational law firm in London. To help you prepare effectively, let's explore some common second interview questions for Legal Secretaries and how you can ace them. …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …