Introduction
Councils have duties that they must fulfil by law. They also
purchase large amounts of supplies and equipment and issue a lot of
contracts for work to be carried out. In addition they are
employers and have obligations under health and safety and
employment law. All councils have legal departments, which
advise council managers and elected members on legal matters. Legal
assistants provide administrative support for this work.
Work Environment
Legal assistants are mainly office-based, although they may
sometimes attend meetings in other departments or attend
court. They normally work a 37-hour week, but part-time work
and job-sharing are often available.
Daily Activities
Legal assistants provide support to solicitors in a number of
different areas of the law relating to, for example, highways,
housing, planning or social services. Legal assistants'
duties usually include:
- general administrative duties such as filing, answering the
telephone and inputting data into computers;
- assisting with the drafting of legal documents;
- drawing up contracts for work carried out by external
contractors;
- helping to prepare tree preservation orders, traffic regulation
orders, housing eviction orders, or footpath creation and diversion
orders;
- preparing and sending information to County Court staff if the
council intends to prosecute anyone for non payment of debts (such
as rent arrears);
- attending the Magistrates' Courts to assist solicitors by
organising their paperwork and taking notes;
- liaising with clients and ensuring a good level of customer
care;
- advising other council departments about legal issues relating
to their area of work;
- keeping up-to-date with new legal developments.
Skills & Ability
Legal assistants need to be:
- knowledgeable about certain aspects of law;
- computer literate with good research skills;
- organised and methodical;
- accurate, with good attention to detail;
- able to work well in a team and on their own initiative;
- able to communicate, both in person and in writing;
- able to present and speak in public.
Entry Requirements
Most councils ask for a minimum of four GCSEs/S Grades or
equivalent (A*-C/1-3) including English and maths, but many
entrants have higher qualifications, including A levels and
sometimes degrees. Some experience of working in an
administrative support role will probably be needed, possibly in a
legal environment, although this is not essential. Some councils
may ask for a minimum of one years' experience plus Part I of the
CILEX qualification. Legal assistants are usually encouraged
to study for a professional paralegal qualification via the
Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Legal assistants may have the opportunity to specialise in one
area of law. There are prospects of promotion to a post of
senior legal assistant, which carries more responsibility and
involves supervising junior staff. Legal assistants who
qualify via the Institute of Legal Executives may undertake further
training to become solicitors.
Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives www.cilex.org.uk
Institute of Paralegals www.theiop.org
National Association of Licensed Paralegals www.nationalparalegals.co.uk
Solicitors in Local Government www.slgov.org.uk
The Law Society www.lawsociety.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.