This year the Executive PA Awards are being held on Wednesday 14 November at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre in Australia. And one very lucky UK PA will have the chance to attend courtesy of Executive PA Media!

As an ambassador for the EA/PA profession, Paula Harding knows how important, rewarding and challenging the role of a Personal Assistant (PA) can be. ILSPA had the pleasure of talking to Paula about the role of the PA and what she feels makes a PA efficient and successful. 

Can you give us a brief explanation of what the role of a PA involves and how it differs from a Secretary?

Legal Secretaries will often be expected to proofread documents as part of their role. We have, therefore, put together a list of tips in order to help you proofread effectively.

1.            Remove as many distractions as possible. You will need all of your concentration when proofreading.

2.            Read the document slowly to ensure that you don’t miss anything.

The UK’s complex Inheritance Tax (IHT) system could shortly be due for reform depending on the results of a review by the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS). Chancellor Philip Hammond has written to the OTS asking it to review the IHT regime and he said: 

A question we often get asked at ILSPA is “How can I improve my typing skills?” Many of our Students have acquired these skills through their work experience or college/university studies. However, some Students have not had the experience in this area that they need.

Rebecca Bouhsine is a successful Legal Secretary and current Student here at the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs.

ILSPA’s Legal Secretary Jobs Board is a hub for Legal Secretary vacancies. We advertise a wide range of positions in London and throughout the UK, from law firms, legal recruiters and other legal jobs boards.

This month we will be considering the changing ways in which it is now possible to qualify as a Lawyer. In particular, we will consider the effects of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) decision to proceed with a new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and the potential impact this may have on other routes to qualifying as a practising Lawyer.

From delays and fare increases to navigating foreign cities and language barriers, there are seemingly endless challenges for business travellers and Legal PAs tasked with booking travel. In recent years, there have also been incidents domestically and worldwide, bringing concern about employee safety and security to the forefront of business travel management.

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

Conveyancing Legal Secretary – Bude Nathan Iwanier

Location: Golders Green, London

Salary: £26,000