In this age of austerity, the court system of England and Wales probably knew that at some point it would be closely scrutinised to ascertain whether efficiency savings could be made. Because every single government body is being examined so carefully nowadays, it was only a matter of time until court opening times were evaluated in order to determine whether there was a more efficient way of doing things. This is why the flexible court hours pilot was conceived in an attempt to streamline the court system.

8am to 8pm justice

ILSPA’s job candidate database is an extremely valuable resource for candidates and recruiters alike. We have created a niche platform specifically designed for Legal Secretaries and recruiters to connect and form mutually beneficial relationships. Our exclusive database enables each party to easily navigate the process of job and candidate seeking, allowing for promotion of both sides, specialised searching and ease of contact. We are passionate about providing a service that encourages the interaction between worthy candidates and recruiters, allowing a better employment experience for all.

Candidates

The SecsintheCity PA of the Year Awards were bigger than ever in 2017 with over 450 nominations and 16 shortlisted PAs and EAs.

The individuals who made the cut were from a variety of sectors and companies, including TSB Bank, Warner Brothers, Arsenal Football Club, The Law Society and Cath Kidston. The shortlisted PAs/EAs were interviewed by a panel of judges and the winners announced at an awards ceremony at the prestigious Ivy restaurant.

This year, there were two Legal PA winners:

Kathleen Riordan – Legal PA of the Year

As a student with The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs, it is always a good idea to acquire a clear appreciation of exactly how the English legal system works. From the conventions of Parliament that have accrued over many centuries to how evidence may be given in court in light of the fact that we now live in an advanced technological age. It is this latter dimension of our judicial system that we will turn our attention to in this article.

Good old-fashioned methods

A few years ago I wrote a really detailed blog about dealing with confidential electronic documents and paperwork. This is obviously an important subject for assistants because we have to, have to, have to keep our Executive’s confidence. We must be trustworthy and, as hard as it is, keep all confidential matters to ourselves.

Today I thought I would write an update on my blog from a few years ago and concentrate on electronic documents. With cloud technology, the increased use of email and other electronic forms of communication (Slack, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.), we have to be even more aware of how we deal with confidential and information that is discussed and communicated through technological channels. Here are my ten top tips on dealing with confidential electronic documents.

In England and Wales mediation has become a common feature of many types of litigation. Sir Rupert Jackson’s 2009 report on civil litigation recommended that the courts can and should in appropriate cases encourage mediation. This may be limited to simply pointing out its benefits or requiring an explanation from parties when they are not willing to meet and/or discuss mediation. However, where a party is found to have unreasonably refused to mediate, they can be penalised in costs by the court.

Here is a selection of vacancies from our Legal Secretary Jobs Board this month:

Receptionist/ Administrator – Dewar Hogan
Location: City of London
Salary: TBC

Dewar Hogan, a niche property firm based in the City of London, is looking for a full time Receptionist/Administrator to start as soon as possible. 

The ideal candidate will have an excellent command of English, a smart telephone manner and excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills.

View the full job description here: 
https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/102304/

Legal Secretaries are a crucial but sometimes overlooked part of the conveyancing process, as they perform a number of different roles which contribute towards the smooth running and ultimate success of the project.

The main role of a Legal Secretary in this context is to provide Conveyancers or Property Solicitors/Fee Earners with support in the legal aspects of a property purchase process. Depending on the complexity of the purchase, the structure of the firm, the checks that are required, and the skills and/ or experience of the Legal Secretary, their role can vary from providing basic office or administrative support to offering more in-depth co-ordination role acting as the “right-hand man” to the Conveyancer. Sometimes the Legal Secretary is even the first point of contact for the clients involved in the process. 

During the job-seeking process, it is crucial that candidates understand the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity available to them to show their value to the prospective employer. Writing a covering letter is an essential part of this process.

A covering letter is a vital piece of personal professional marketing that should accompany every CV application. Its function is to give candidates the chance not only to introduce themselves but also to expand upon and strengthen their CV. By following our guide to the dos and don’ts of covering letters, you can ensure that you have made every effort to guarantee that your next job application results in obtaining that much-coveted interview.

Dos

• Explain why you have applied for the job

On 1 October 2017 we saw the long-awaited pre-action protocol for debt claims come into force. A pre-action protocol is a set of steps contained in the Civil Procedural Rules that parties must follow before a claim is made. The idea behind having a protocol is to promote early settlement of claims and reduce legal costs. If a party ignores a protocol, then he or she may be subject to a penalty in legal costs allowed by the Court.