Legal profession to employ a greater number of paralegals
Law firms are likely to significantly increase the number of paralegals they employ in the next five years, according to Skills for Justice. Research by the sector skills agency showed firms would be hiring nearly 20% more paralegals by 2017.
The vast majority of law firms are interested in taking on apprentices. Currently, paralegals are mainly engaged in work on personal injury litigation, conveyancing and debt recovery. Employers taking part in the research say they expect wills, trusts and administration of estates to become another big area for paralegals in the next two years.