The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs
Dedicated to your career every step of the way
ILSPA Membership
ILSPA is dedicated to your career every step of the way. Whether you are a trainee or an experienced Legal Secretary, we are here to help. By becoming an ILSPA Member you will receive professional status, professional development resources, career advice, guidance to secure employment, and updates on law and legal issues. There is a wealth of guidance and information available to you.
Our Members consist of trainee, qualified and experienced Legal Secretaries and PAs who want to be a part of their own professional organisation and receive guidance throughout their career. Many law firms throughout the UK and overseas support their Legal Secretaries by registering them with us.
The fee is £50 per year. Students who enrol on our courses receive FREE Membership for one year.
As well as receiving Membership applications from Legal Secretaries who understand the value of being part of their own professional organisation, we receive registrations from law firms throughout the UK and overseas who want their Secretaries to receive professional recognition and support.
Levels of Membership
| Studying: | Student Membership This is open to anyone who wants to train as a Legal Secretary or enter the legal profession in a similar capacity. ILSPA Students receive free Membership for one year. |
| Qualified: | Affiliate Membership This is open to those who have gained ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma or an equivalent legal secretarial qualification. Law Graduates are also eligible for Affiliate Membership. |
| 1+ years: | Associate Membership (AILS) This is open to those who have a legal secretarial qualification/law degree plus at least one year’s legal experience OR at least two years’ legal experience by itself. |
| 4+ years: | Fellowship Membership (FILS) This is open to those who have a legal secretarial qualification/law degree with at least four years’ legal experience OR at least six years’ legal experience by itself. |
Membership Benefits
ILSPA's Student and Member Area
ILSPA's exclusive online Student and Member area includes a wealth of information for trainee and experienced Legal Secretaries. From Student resources and guidance to secure employment, to professional development encouragement and career advice, you can access everything you need to excel in your career. If you study with the Institute, you will have access to the course material here.
Professional Recognition
ILSPA has four levels of Membership, to recognise your qualifications and experience as you progress with your career: Student, Affiliate, Associate (AILS) and Fellowship (FILS). Our higher level Members receive attractive certificates and are eligible to use designatory letters after their names.
Associate or Fellowship Members of the Institute are recognised by the government as being suitable to countersign passports.
Monthly Membership Newsletter
Each month, you will receive a newsletter via email including highlights from our blog, our latest vacancies and Membership benefits. Our blog posts are written by industry professionals to help you with your studies, enhance your professional expertise and advance your career. ILSPA's Legal Secretary Jobs Board holds vacancies for trainee and experienced Legal Secretaries, and recruiters are keen to hear from our Members. As you are also entitled to various benefits through being an ILSPA Member, we want to bring awareness to them.
CV Help and Guidance to Secure Employment
We would like to provide you with help and guidance so that you have the best chance of securing employment. ILSPA's CV help will ensure that you present a professional document which is effective in your job search. Your CV provides the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it is important that it meets a high standard; is tailored for a Legal Secretary position; and shows your full capabilities, skills and experience. ILSPA's Guide to Securing Employment will provide you with information on preparing yourself for your job search, where to look for vacancies, applying for jobs and interview techniques.
Exclusive Member Discounts
Student Members are able to purchase a TOTUM (previously NUS Extra) card and receive great discounts on fashion, food and drink, going out, health and beauty, travel, and accommodation. On average, Students save over £500 a year by using their card through places such as Amazon, Ticketmaster, National Express, easyjet, Ryman Stationers, Superdrug, Pizza Express, Zizzi, Chessington World of Adventures, Tate Britain and many more companies.
Students and Members are eligible for discounts on specific courses so they can further their secretarial or legal expertise. Whether you want to advance your Microsoft Office skills or take the next step up the ladder by gaining Paralegal skills, you can train at a reduced cost.
The Royal Courts of Justice in London has also offered our Students and Members a discount on its tours. Visiting the RCJ is a wonderful experience where Students’ course material comes to life and they can get an inside look at a real-life working court.
Professional Development Recognition
ILSPA Members are encouraged to take part in our Continuing Professional Development Programme. This programme encourages you to advance your knowledge and skills in order to enhance the quality of your work. CPD tracks and recognises your progression throughout your career, and Members receive a CPD certificate for every year they complete it.
CPD Programme
Support Throughout Your Career
ILSPA unites Legal Secretaries and PAs at all levels and makes them feel like they are part of a community. Legal Secretaries are a very important part of the legal profession, and we will encourage you to be committed to your career. Whatever stage you are at, we are here to support you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need advice.
