Amanda Hamilton reports on the future of the paralegal sector in relation to the challenges that lie ahead
- Paralegals are offering consumers access to justice at a reasonable cost.
- For small to middling sized firms, a paralegal workforce may provide a lifeline for survival.
With so many law graduates coming through the system and not being able to continue their careers as solicitors or barristers due to the lack of training contracts and pupillages, many are training and working as paralegals. Some, by choice, have bypassed the necessity to study for a qualifying law degree in favour of qualifying as a paralegal.
Mind the gap
Paralegals are often filling the gap left by the virtual eradication of legal aid and are assisting litigants in person (LiPs). They are offering consumers access to justice at a reasonable cost and are even being allowed, at the discretion of the judges, to represent their clients in court.
Paralegals are not only part of the legal services sector, but they are arguably the main future of legal services. With the paralegal numbers
