ILSPA recently had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy Brazier OBE, a globally recognised advocate for administrative professionals and the CEO of Marcham Publishing. In this inspiring conversation, Lucy shares the story behind Executive Support Magazine, her passion for elevating the assistant profession, and her vision for the future of administrative work in an era of AI and global change.

What inspired you to focus your career on advocating for administrative professionals?
It began as a publishing project but quickly became a calling. When I acquired Executive Secretary Magazine (as it was then) back in 2010,  I started travelling and meeting …

For generations, “Dear Sirs” has been the standard opening for formal letters in legal and business correspondence. It conveyed respect and formality, in line with the norms of its era. But as language evolves, so does our profession.

At a time when women now make up a significant and growing proportion of practising solicitors, it’s clear that the old forms of address no longer reflect the reality of today’s legal community.

The phrase “Dear Sirs” dates back to a period when the legal profession was almost exclusively male. In those days, letters between firms and clients would naturally assume a …

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way many industries operate, and the legal sector is no exception. With new technologies emerging, it’s natural for Legal Secretaries to wonder how AI might affect their roles. The reassuring truth is that while AI is a powerful tool, it cannot replace the human expertise, insight and judgement, that are central to a Legal Secretary’s work. Instead, it enhances what professionals already do best.

AI thrives on data and automation, but it depends entirely on human input and instruction. Legal Secretaries play a vital role in directing how these systems are used. AI can assist …

If you’re training to become a Legal Secretary or looking to refresh your skills, a valuable skill you can master is audio typing (also known as transcription). Whether you’re transcribing client interviews, legal notes, or court documents, fast and accurate typing skills are essential.

Fortunately, there are some online resources to help you practise your audio typing skills.

Sense-Lang Audio Typing Tutor

Sense-Lang offers an interactive audio typing mode that plays short recordings while you type what you hear. You can control playback speed and difficulty, making it a great place to start if you’re still building your listening accuracy and confidence. …

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 …