The UK legal sector is evolving rapidly, with changing client expectations, advancing technology, and new regulations transforming the way law firms operate. For Legal Secretaries and legal support professionals, staying informed about these developments is essential. From managing digital workflows to supporting compliance and client communication, Legal Secretaries play a vital role in helping firms adapt and succeed.

ILSPA’s trusted partner The Legists compiled this list of key legal industry trends every UK Legal Secretary should be aware of in 2026.

1. The Growing Use of Artificial Intelligence in Law Firms

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important part …

You’re invited to join an exclusive, completely complimentary evening designed specifically for Legal Secretaries, PAs and EAs on 11 June, 2026, London, Venue TBC.

The PA Dining Club is an exclusive evening designed for senior Legal Secretaries, PAs and EAs to connect, learn, and unwind in a relaxed, high-quality setting. With just 40 pre-qualified delegates, the experience combines meaningful networking, a three-course dinner, and tailored content focused on delivering practical, immediately applicable insights.

Each Dining Club is industry-specific, bringing together executive support professionals from the same sector to encourage relevant conversations, shared challenges, and valuable peer connections.

Our next edition, …

What the Global Skills Matrix 2026 means for Legal Secretaries and PAs

Your job is not what your job description says it is. 

If you work as a Legal Secretary or PA in a solicitors' firm, chambers, or in-house legal team, you already know this. The title on your contract captures a fraction of what you actually do. The procedural knowledge, the client sensitivity, the court deadline management, the SRA compliance awareness, the judgement calls you make before anyone else has noticed there's a problem - all of that lives in your head and your institutional memory.  …

The UK’s go-to legal finance, compliance, and law firm management conference returns on Thursday 21st May, 9am-5pm at The Law Society, London.

The Institute of Legal Finance and Management (ILFM) Spring conference is a fantastic opportunity for Legal Secretaries whose work crosses over into assisting with accounts and finance. It is a chance to network, learn and gain valuable insights into your role.

This year’s ILFM Annual Conference welcomes actor and accidental accountant Simon Paisley Day, who brings his brilliantly titled keynote "VAT of Stagnant Emotion" to the stage. A self‑confessed "ostrich" banker, hopeless with money and entirely …

If you work in a Business Services role in the UK legal sector, the InterLaw Diversity Forum would like to hear your perspective.
 
Click here to complete our 5-minute survey

The InterLaw Diversity Forum recently launched this survey aimed at understanding how Business Services colleagues across the legal sector experience inclusion, respect and opportunity.

Early responses are already revealing a complex picture

Some insights shared with us are encouraging and point to huge progress in the way Business Services roles are regarded. However, we have also heard from Business Services professionals who feel unseen or undervalued. We’re beginning to …

The law of Wills in England and Wales is on the brink of possibly its most significant overhaul in nearly 200 years. The Law Commission published its Modernising Wills Law report in May 2025, accompanied by a draft Bill designed to replace the Wills Act 1837, legislation that, despite amendments, still reflects Victorian-era formalities.

For Legal Secretaries working in private client or probate teams, these proposals are more than academic; if implemented, they are likely to reshape day-to-day administrative practice.

Why reform is happening

The current law is widely seen as outdated and inflexible. It struggles to accommodate societal changes such …

This article is based on content originally published by our trusted partner, TotallyLegal. You can read their article “Mentoring in the Legal Profession: How to Find and Be a Mentor” in the careers advice section of their website.

Mentoring has long been an important part of developing a successful legal career. However, in today’s fast-paced and competitive profession, structured guidance and professional support are more valuable than ever. With alternative qualification routes, hybrid working models and changing expectations from clients and employers, legal professionals at every stage are increasingly seeking reliable advice, industry insight and confidence in …

The industry-first Mini MBA for Senior & Executive Assistants Programme, originally launched in 2021, enters its next evolution this April with the introduction of a dedicated Artificial Intelligence module designed specifically for modern Executive and Personal Assistants.
 
Delivered by Microsoft MVP and Executive Assistant Lizebeth Koloko-Green, Founder and CEO of ANWOW (Adopt New Ways of Working), the new three-hour AI session equips senior support professionals with practical, real-world strategies to integrate AI into their daily workflows from executive briefing preparation and communication refinement to structured decision support and strategic planning.
 
Recognised for redefining professional development for senior support …

Our trusted partner Pathway has recently conducted a salary survey examining salaries and working trends for legal professionals in Northern Ireland. Surveys like this are beneficial because insights into current salaries and market trends help professionals make informed career decisions. ILSPA were pleased to see some positive findings regarding the roles of legal support professionals in Northern Ireland.

The survey showed that legal support professionals remain in demand, with salary levels influenced by experience, seniority, and the type of firm. Pathway has kindly summarised their findings below.

Typical Salary

• Legal Executive: Average pay £30,000 – £36,000

Senior support roles with …

Concerns about Artificial Intelligence replacing jobs have become increasingly common. Headlines and surveys sometimes predict that large numbers of roles will disappear within the next decade. It is therefore understandable that aspiring and experienced Legal Secretaries may be questioning the future of this career.

However, rather than being replaced by AI, Legal Secretaries are becoming the professionals who enable it to be used effectively, responsibly, and safely within legal environments.

Stepping Into a More Strategic Role

AI is a powerful tool but it is not a decision-maker. It requires skilled professionals to guide, monitor, and refine its outputs. In law …