2017

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.

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.

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

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

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

Sometimes life can be overwhelming with work, family, friends and the activities we are involved in. Many of us can feel disorganised, stressed and not in control of our lives. We never seem to have the time to do everything we want.

The first step to avoid being overwhelmed is to understand that it would be impossible to do everything we would like to do and to accept the fact that we may never be able to do everything we wish. It is important, therefore, to prioritise the things that are most important to us. We need to regularly reassess our values, goals and tasks. 

Do you ever feel you should be further along on your goals and projects, given how much time you’ve been spending in your workspace?

To enter a state of high productivity, we know that it’s important to avoid distractions and really concentrate deeply on a task or project. You want to enter the state that Cal Newport refers to as “deep work”, and it’s best if you can maintain this state for at least a few hours at a stretch. If you can do three to five sessions of deep work per week, you’ll often achieve stronger results than you would with 40-plus hours of busywork. You’ve probably observed this pattern in your own life already. But of course the challenge is to enter this flow state consistently and to stick with it for extended periods.

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.

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

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. 

In August, we considered the Law Commissions’ consultation on how Wills are made in England and Wales. That article reviewed four of eight key proposals, including: 

•    The courts being given greater flexibility
•    Online Wills being allowed
•    The age of testamentary capacity being reduced 
•    How the tests of capacity could be improved 

This month we are looking at four further proposals, namely: 

•    Amendments to the rules of ademption
•    Extending the protection of testators from undue influence
•    Clarifying the rules on revocation of Wills and marriage 
•    Reviewing the rules on deathbed gifts  

When most people think of paying a visit to a court, it is usually either associated with a wrongdoing, for example, criminal activity – or, perhaps, as part of an educational field trip. Yet, the recent announcement from tourist review site TripAdvisor, recognising the UK Supreme Court with an Award of Excellence, is encouraging those outside these typical visitors to enjoy a day at the courts. There are also great reviews about the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand.

The job-seeking process can be a nerve-wracking time for anyone. These nerves can be further exacerbated if you’ve had a recent interview with the company of your dreams and have yet to hear back from them. Stay positive; it is important to remember that the process of job seeking doesn’t necessarily end at the interview. When looking for a new job opportunity, you should keep in mind that each step of the recruitment process is a time to be proactive and maintain interaction with the employer. Remember that companies want to hire an individual who has an ongoing interest in the position, and is both passionate and forthcoming in their communication. Following up on a job interview can have extremely advantageous results. In fact, some companies have actually cited the candidate’s incentive to send them a follow-up as being the reason that they made the decision to hire that candidate.

We tend to place a lot of trust in the legal system. These services are enlisted when our own abilities to negotiate have been dried up, when a significant wrongdoing has been brought against us or even leading up to achieving a milestone (homeownership, launching a new business, etc.). It’s also during times of distress that legal services are required, which makes it even more important to have representatives who can be trusted. But who regulates these professions? This article will outline the regulatory bodies within the legal profession. 

Legal Services Board (LSB)

The LSB is the overarching regulatory board for all regulatory boards that oversee the legal system in the United Kingdom. These regulatory boards will be listed in the proceeding sections, but they refer to any legal regulators. 

How we communicate has a big impact on our lives. The purpose of communication is to get your message across to others. This is a process that involves both the sender and the receiver of the message. To be successful in business you must communicate well, and communicating effectively is at the heart of interpersonal skills. Good communication skills require a high level of self-awareness. Understanding your personal style of communicating will go a long way towards helping you to create good and lasting impressions on others.

Nonverbal Communication

Hot in the news recently has been the topic of the inequality of men and women in regards to pay. It has come to light that a gender pay gap still exists in some professions in our country, and this is an issue we need to resolve.

Even though we have a little way to go, we must remember how far we’ve come as women. Just a few decades ago, women were denied basic rights that we take for granted now, such as being allowed to vote, owning property or working in certain professions.  

Everybody, at some point in their life, has procrastinated in order to avoid doing their work or a task, in the vain hope that it might complete itself or maybe even disappear. Unfortunately for you and me, the task never disappears; in fact it normally gets more and more urgent or difficult to do. The best way out of this circle is probably not to get into it in the first place.

In this age of technological advances and reliance on social media, the topics that we see frequently grabbing the headlines are the problems that unwanted photographs or information online can cause unsuspecting individuals. Take, for example, unflattering or embarrassing photos or references to personal situations that happened long ago finding their way into the hands of someone’s prospective employer. Another example is the malicious spreading, in an act of revenge, of personal or even incriminating evidence about somebody. 

Crying Out for Better Protection

Last month, my article ended by emphasising how smiling can make you more approachable and likeable, and by maintaining that if you smile at someone, they will almost invariably smile back. In other words, if you are consistently cheerful, you will definitely be noticed and make a difference.

The next trait that will help you to stand out is efficiency. One dictionary’s definition of the word “efficient” is “functioning or producing effectively and with the least waste of effort; competent”. Look up the synonyms for this word, and you’ll see mention of attributes such as ability, adeptness, capability, competence, effectiveness, productivity, proficiency, skill and organisation.  

The Law Commission is an independent body, but one which has statutory powers in terms of the law in this country. It was founded following the Law Commissions Act of 1965, with the overarching aim of providing continuous review and reform of the laws of England and Wales.

The Law Commission itself states that it has four primary objectives in terms of how it carries out its role. It aims to make sure that the law is:

•    Fair
•    Simple
•    Modern
•    Cost effective

What Does the Law Commission Do, and How Is It Independent?

Michelle Gager from Career Legal had the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the world of job sharing at global law firm Allen & Overy. She interviewed Jane Templeman and Joanne Mackay, who started their careers as Legal PAs and now job share as Group Managers in Litigation & Tax. Jane and Joanne are a great inspiration to ILSPA’s Students and Members. When Jane started at Allen & Overy as a Legal PA, she did not have any previous legal experience and learnt on the job. Joanne started the firm as a junior Legal PA and worked her way up.

Jane Templeman – Group Manager in Litigation and Tax at Allen & Overy

When you consider that the vast majority of the law connected with Wills comes from an Act of Parliament that received Royal Assent at the very start of the Victorian era (the Wills Act 1837) and the capacity issue for writing a Will comes from a case precedent in 1870, it will not come as a surprise to any of us that the Law Commission has been evaluating the possibility of reform in this area. The Commission feels that the current legal age of 18 should be lowered to 16.

Keeping Pace with Our Modern Society

There is no denying that working as a Legal Secretary can prove to be an exceptionally exciting and rewarding career choice. If you are involved in dealing with litigation cases, you should find that no two days are ever the same. Even more important, those dreadful Monday morning blues will hopefully become a thing of the past when you actively look forward to turning up for your job at the start of a brand-new week. 

Last month, I was looking at the motto of the Olympic Games (“Swifter, Higher, Stronger”) and indicated that it didn’t just apply to Olympians but to anyone who wanted to be the best, or at least be amongst the best, in whatever sphere where they wanted to excel. But, like with anything worthwhile, you have to work at it; it won’t be handed to you on a plate.

So, the first essential that you must work towards is “determination”. It’s logic – if you don’t really want to succeed, then you’re not going to! Being a really successful Legal Secretary is not governed by chance – it’s governed by you. Only you can make it happen. Here’s something to think about: “What makes a star a star?” Well, one answer could be that it sparkles! Ask yourself, “What will make me sparkle in my job?” You spend a large part of your life at work, so it makes sense to invest in it.

This month, we will consider the Law Commissions’ consultation on how Wills are made in England and Wales. Some of the key issues that are under review include:

• Giving greater flexibility to the Courts to uphold Wills that do not meet legal requirements 

• The possibility of online or electronic Will writing in the future

• Reducing the age at which someone can make a Will from 18 to 16

• Improving tests of a person’s capacity to make a Will 

This month, we are reviewing key aspects of English land law. Students often find land law a difficult subject to study. Part of the reason for this may be because ownership of land in England has its roots in the feudal system established by William the Conqueror after 1066. The modern source of land law is derived from common law, equity, and legislation such as the Law of Property Act 1925 and the Land Registration Act 2002. 

Almost everybody at some point in their lives has procrastinated in order to avoid doing their work or a task in the vain hope that it might complete itself, or maybe even disappear. Unfortunately for you and me, it never disappears; in fact, it normally gets more and more urgent or difficult to do. The best way out of this cycle is probably not to get into it in the first place.

Dealing with clients can be one of the most challenging aspects of legal practice. Some clients can be patient and appreciative of your work, whilst others can be very hard to satisfy, demanding, stressful and upsetting. Clients may even not pay their fees, complain to the Law Society or sue for negligence if they feel that they have been treated unfairly. 

As a Legal Secretary, part of your job is to make sure that your firm’s clients feel looked after and that they are receiving a good service. There are many different types of clients whom you will come across in your career. Here are a few tips which can help you deal with them.

Understand your role

“Citius, Altius, Fortius”

Career advancement is simple to achieve if you put your mind to it and have the right attitude. You need to make sure you stand out from the crowd and are recognised for your worth.

Ensure you’re noticed and credited for work

First and foremost, ensure that you take the credit for any great work you have achieved. Never be shy or humble in this respect or let others take the glory. There are sometimes people who are standing by who will do exactly that! Bring your successes to the attention of your bosses and claim that credit in your next appraisal. Prove to your boss that you actually go above and beyond your standard job description; however, be careful to find the right balance here. No-one likes overtly ambitious employees, as this can come across as arrogance when it is not sufficiently contained.

Advance your knowledge and skills

Have you ever wished you could remember all the new names, faces, numbers, addresses, images and tasks that you come across every day of your life? Imagine the time saved and embarrassing moments spared if you could remember every detail of every day. Unfortunately, experts agree that a perfect photographic memory is a thing of fiction. This is not to say that you cannot allow yourself to have a brilliant memory, it just means that, like all things worth achieving, having a good memory will take a bit of practice.

Fortunately for us, people have been practicing methods for improving their memories since classical times, so we have a good 2,000 years of experience to guide us. These years of exploration have proven that in order to grow a good memory we need to create the right conditions, just like growing good vegetables! You can do this by practicing the following:

When we are passionate about our careers we naturally look into ways of improving our practice. Continuing professional development is a process which encourages that improvement and is widely recognised as an integral part of professional progression. Through continuing professional development we can advance, refine and reflect on the work that we do, encouraging more effective practice and greater rewards in the future. It is a self-directed and ongoing process which allows the individual to become empowered to take charge of their career and steer it in the direction they want it to go.

This month we are considering a form of land ownership, leasehold, that has been described as a “murky corner of residential property”, and perhaps more worryingly if you own one, “a national scandal which dwarfs PPI”. With recent stories about homeowners having ground rents that double every 10 years and an all-party Parliamentary Group reporting on reforms in April 2017, even stronger language has been used by MPs describing leasehold houses as a “national con”. 

What are key features of freehold and leasehold titles?

With the general election coming up in a few short days, many questions have arisen regarding how it will affect already proposed laws. While a good majority of those that were in question have since been passed (all of which will be discussed briefly below), there are still a few that have not been as successful. But what does that all mean in terms of the nearing election on June 8? 

Successful bills

In today’s job market, the use of technology is increasingly taking over. Positions that were traditionally held by human beings are being replaced by computers and other forms of technology in the name of efficiency. But this is not true of every position. In fact, the advancement of technology has strengthened some job titles. One of those positions is that of the Legal Secretary. 

When we think of what the role of a Legal Secretary entails, we tend to think of a female in front of a typewriter, transcribing in shorthand. We think about typical secretarial tasks – many of which could easily be replaced with various forms of technology. Interestingly, the ever-advancing technology has made the Legal Secretary a more desirable and in-demand position.

How Making a Small Change Can Make a Big Difference

Changing landscape

Gone are the days of the 1-to-1 or 1-to-3 ratio of Secretaries to Fee Earners. We’re now more likely to see 1-to-7 or even 1-to-10, and barely a week goes by without a firm announcing the centralisation of support resources, or support restructuring. 

The role of support services is constantly changing, as is often seen in drives for efficiency of back office support, specialist support teams, lower cost locations, outsourcing, in-sourcing, near-shoring … there’s a lot of change! 

If you are currently studying the Legal Secretaries Diploma course and have studied the Wills, Probate and Administration module, you will be familiar with the fact that inheritance tax is not currently payable on estates below the “nil rate band”. The nil rate band (NRB) is currently set at £325,000, meaning that for any estate over this figure, tax is payable on the difference at the rate of 40%. 

However, as of 6 April 2017, a change to this law has come into effect.

As we progress through the technological age, different elements of our daily lives progress with it. Procedures that were once traditional and mechanical have become modified, reconstructed and updated, and processes that took days, even weeks, can happen in a matter of seconds. The world of employment has not been immune to this evolution and continues to be significantly affected by the ongoing expansion of the modern age. It is important that we, as members of the 21st century, keep up to date with any changes in communication that may affect us so that we don’t miss any valuable opportunities. Professionals seeking employment, making connections, initiating introductions and carrying out referrals is nothing new in business. However, with the advent of social networking, the methods we use to make these connections has changed. LinkedIn is a website that is part of that change.

Roman Law is the legal system invented by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. Having undergone the process of transformation and reinterpretation, Roman Law continues to influence legal thinking and legal practice to this day.

England has not adopted Roman Law as the other countries in Europe have. In England, ancient Roman texts were never considered as rules having the force of law. However, Roman Law was taught at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and had a considerable influence on the development of certain areas of law. Some substantive rules, and more importantly, concepts of reasoning based on the Roman legal tradition, influenced the English legal system.

This month we are examining the impact of a recent Court of Appeal decision on the divorce petition of Mrs Tini Owens. The Court of Appeal have, in refusing Mrs Owens’ divorce petition, buried the possibility of a couple divorcing on a no fault basis.

England and Wales, unlike many other legal jurisdictions, require one party in a divorce to prove the other was at “fault”. When couples apply for a divorce, they must prove that the marriage has “irretrievably broken down” (Matrimonial Causes Act 1973). To show this breakdown, a party has to give one of five reasons: 

•    adultery
•    unreasonable behaviour
•    desertion 
•    separation of two years with consent
•    separation of five years without consent

ILSPA’s Legal Secretary Jobs Board specialises in Legal Secretary jobs throughout the UK. The aim of the Jobs Board is to bring legal recruiters and top-quality candidates together, helping them to achieve their goals. ILSPA’s Members and Students are prime candidates for Legal Secretary and PA roles, as they have the knowledge, skills or experience employers are looking for. 

Whether you are new to the Jobs Board or are an existing candidate, it is vitally important that your profile contains up-to-date information. If certain information is missing, you may be prevented from securing employment or appearing within our candidate database for recruiters to search.

The Internet must easily rank as being the best invention of the late 20th century. The ease in which we are now able to communicate with each other around the world really is worth its weight in gold. And alas, this is exactly how more and more unscrupulous individuals feel about the potential opportunities to exploit others and even steal using the World Wide Web.

We have all heard about the dangers of e-mail scammers lurking on the Internet and now realise that we have to protect ourselves from these attacks. This is now more prevalent within the legal industry than ever before, with around 500 law firms having been targeted in a recent e-mail scam from one source alone, as reported by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority (SRA).

We at ILSPA believe that, with the right initiative, our students have the potential to reach any goal that they aspire to. This belief has been supported recently in the case of Jacqueline McGuigan, former Legal Secretary, now Lawyer, who rose to media fame due to a significant employment law case. This achievement stands as a testimony to the fact that Legal Secretaries with talent, ambition and motivation have unlimited potential within the legal sector and could even go on to winning cases that are reported in the national news.

Rent charges have existed since the 13th century and have traditionally provided an income for landowners who allowed their land to be developed. It would be fair to say that in recent years, rent charges have not been a major feature of any conveyancing transaction, but that may be set to change. There have been a number of cases recently where private investment companies have been imposing heavy financial penalties on homeowners for non-payment. These fines have far exceeded the rent that was due, and in this article we will highlight what steps Property Lawyers should take to warn clients when a rent charge appears on a title report. 

What is a rent charge?

One of the great things about the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs is the fact that they present you with a choice to either study many different areas of law through their Legal Secretaries Diploma course, or alternatively, you may choose to study individual areas of law through their Single Subject Legal courses. 

Whilst we all fully appreciate the fact that using the correct terminology in all areas of law is imperative, Wills are perhaps of the most importance. After all, we are talking about discharging the last wishes of the deceased: therefore, we really do need to ensure we get things just right.

Alas, though, when it comes to the terminology used in Wills, this is not always the case. It takes just a couple of words that could be construed in another way to be inserted into a Will to really mean the difference between the testator’s dying wishes being carried out and part or even all of the Will’s legacies falling into intestacy. 

Good communication skills are a key part of being successful. Being able to effectively communicate as an individual or in a team will help you to generate good relationships between individuals, better understand objectives and resolve problems more easily. We are all capable of communicating effectively and use a range of different skills to achieve this every day. 

Different types of communication

Communication is about sending and receiving messages. You might do this using speech, text and body language. To receive communication, you not only have to be a good listener, but you should also use your other senses to understand any non-verbal messages that are being sent. Is the person speaking to you upset or calm? Are they frowning or smiling? We will consider written, verbal and non-verbal communication and try to establish what makes someone good at each.

This month we are focusing on a survival guide for how couples can reach a financial settlement on their own when divorcing or ending a civil partnership. We will highlight key principles that should be considered and how the courts reach their decisions if a court order is needed. 

Overview of the law

When financial orders are made by the court, normally the spouses’ financial needs and the needs of any children of the family are the main focus of the case. When the assets involved in a case are more than enough to cover needs, then additional considerations may apply, such as what assets were brought into the marriage or the parties’ behaviour.

Making an agreement without going to court

This New Year’s honours list brought with it an inspiring and encouraging tale for our Members and for all those starting out in the legal field. Janet Cooper, partner and co-founder of the Yorkshire-based niche law firm Tapestry Compliance LLP, who began her career as a secretary before graduating in law, has been appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE). Her services to gender equality, women’s empowerment and employee share ownership have gained her overwhelming recognition within her field, elevating her to be regarded amongst Britain’s most invaluable members of society.

Agile working is becoming more and more popular in many sectors, including the legal profession. But what is it, and how could you and your firm benefit?

What is agile working?

Agile working is a form of flexible working, which allows people to work at times and in places to suit their individual needs as long as they meet defined goals. While traditional flexible working is seen as a benefit solely to the employee, agile working has been shown to be beneficial to both the employee and the employer.

How does it work?

Through making best use of modern technology, employees are able to perform their work duties from any location. When remote access to company databases and servers is enabled, employees are able to access all the information they need to complete their work wherever they are, and share it with their employer. 

If you have been studying ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma course, you will already have a good understanding of the way in which the common law system of England came into existence. Our legal system – as well as other legal systems throughout the world, such as those in Australia, India and South Africa – is based on common law.

What is common law?

Modern technology has simplified many aspects of our lives, both personally and commercially. It has been possible to shop or take out contracts and arrange finance electronically for some years now. However, the conveyancing industry has been slow to adapt to, or to adopt, the new technologies available. 

Much of the house-buying process is still conducted manually, with the process usually taking at least two months to complete. While there are companies that do carry out conveyancing online, the paperwork still requires a wet signature, which slows the process as well as carrying a risk of paperwork being lost in the post.

How can you advance in your chosen career as a Legal Secretary? I am retired now, but when I was practicing law, over a period of very many years I developed a habit with regard to my Legal Secretaries: I encouraged them to act as a team and to see themselves as part of the bigger picture.

What is the bigger picture that a Legal Secretary is part of? It’s obvious, of course: a successful legal practice, or a successful legal department of a commercial firm or public organisation. It does not matter how brilliant a partner or senior manager may be; success will come only if the firm as a whole, from top to bottom, is brilliant. This means that everyone should be singing from the same song sheet. If Legal Secretaries were not important, then firms wouldn’t need to employ them! In their own way, they are just as important as the partners or senior managers.

Assertiveness is a direct, honest and respectful way of behaving and interacting with others. It is seen as one of the most desirable forms of human behaviour as it leads to honest and healthy relationships. As a Legal Secretary, the ability to be assertive will help you greatly in your career to communicate effectively with your colleagues and boss.

There are generally three types of human behaviour – non-assertive, aggressive and assertive.

Non-assertive behaviour is submissive and indirect. It can give a message of inferiority by allowing the wants and needs of others to be more important than our own. A person behaving non-assertively will lose while allowing others to win.

As part of our regular practice updates, this month we will be considering the latest proposals for expanding ‘e-justice’ in the civil court system. The Civil Justice Council has called for the creation of an online court within the next two years. This would be a radical overhaul of the current UK court system. Key features would include virtual courtrooms, a lawyer-free environment and the possibility of services similar to the eBay disagreement negotiating procedure. The online system would be for claims of up to £25,000, and the idea is backed by Lord Dyson, the master of the rolls, who is head of the civil judiciary in England and Wales.

E-justice

When some people think of the legal profession, they often think of criminal law. This is not surprising, as there are many popular television programmes about criminals and the criminal justice system. Civil law is often less dramatic and very much a part of our normal lives, and so it is often overlooked. However, civil law is a vitally important part of our society, even if people are unaware of how it affects them.

A student with the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs, and any law student for that matter, will soon realise how vast a concept civil law really is. Of the seven ‘pillars’ that make up the English legal system, six of these are devoted to civil law and criminal law accounts for only one lonely pillar.

What is civil law?

It is important to note that there have been a few changes to the structure of the civil courts system in England and Wales over the past 10 years or so, the most important of which occurred at the very top of this hierarchical chain with a change in name from the House of Lords to the Supreme Court. Also, there have been a few changes to the Family Court that primarily derived from Part II of the Crime and Courts Act 2013.

The best way to summarise the civil law courts system of England and Wales is to start from the bottom and work your way up the hierarchical chain. As we progress through the different levels of court, you will notice that the importance of the court becomes increasingly profound, especially each court’s ability to set precedents for the lower-ranking courts beneath them when decisions are made over important cases.

The County Court

In days of yore it was so much simpler – you were either married or you weren’t. The sanctity of marriage was the norm. You reached, say, your late teens or early twenties, you got engaged, and then you were married; whether you lived happily ever after was another matter. In those days, in both a sociological and a legal way, marriage was to be supported, and it was. Socially, marriage was the way in which families were created and fostered; consequently, the legal idea was that the sanctity of marriage had to be protected.

If you are studying through the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs, you will learn that the burden of proof in Criminal Law cases is set considerably higher than in other areas of law. In fact, there is a requirement for the Crown to prove a case against the defendant beyond all reasonable doubt.

In contrast, with civil cases, which make up the vast majority of legal cases and work dealt with in England, the burden is on the claimant to prove his or her case on the balance of probabilities.

Excellence is about delivering work of quality and doing the best you can do at every moment. Success naturally follows for those who are prepared to go that extra mile in their job and are willing to devote their time and effort to bettering themselves. Excellence is brought about by doing things better than they have been done before, and only being satisfied with the very best from yourself.

Can you imagine the difficulties you would face going through law school as a deaf person? The image in our heads is most probably one of us relying almost exclusively on our powers of sight to intake any information presented to us. Can you imagine, then, taking away the power of sight also? Now imagine that the law school in question is Harvard, noted as one of the top law schools in the world, regarded for both its remarkable academic excellence and prestigious previous alumni. This is the story of Haben Girma, a truly inspirational Eritrean-American woman who overcame these momentous hurdles and became the first deaf-blind graduate of Harvard Law School.

If you are new to the subject of law, you will hear different terms apportioned to the professionals who work within our legal system, but not fully understand exactly what each of them do. Due to the glamorisation of our legal system in film and television, most people will have a concept of many of the legal professional roles; however, this article aims to help you to understand what each role entails and how you can work your way up the ladder.

Legal Secretaries

Legal Secretary Vacancies January 2017

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

Legal Secretary – Picton Solicitors

Location: Tring

Salary: £22,000 plus benefits

Pictons Solicitors are looking for a Legal Secretary/Assistant for their Tring office. The successful candidate will be helping the Family Law fee earner with their duties, manning the reception and performing various other tasks.

View the full job description here:

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/68944/

Part-Time Conveyancing Secretary/PA – Rosenberg & Co

The Institute has a great team of people who help our Students achieve their goals. Maria Richards has been assisting Students with their queries and marking coursework for nearly eight years now. Her role within the company is of great value, and you can learn more about her here.

How did you become a Course Assessor with the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs?

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

Full-Time Legal Secretary – JSP Law

Location: St Albans

Salary: Up to £23,000

JSP Law is a young, vibrant and friendly firm specialising in Criminal Defence who are currently seeking a Legal Secretary to join their team. The chosen candidate’s role will consist primarily of audio typing using digital dictation, time recording and dealing with client enquiries.

View the full job description here:

https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/72125/

Full-Time Legal Secretary – JSP Law

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

Legal PA – Litigation – Owen Reed
Location: London
Salary: Up to £37,500

Owen Reed is looking for a Legal PA for a Law firm based in London. The successful candidate must have two years' previous experience in a law firm, an accurate typing speed of at least 60 words per minute, knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, research tools and other systems. You are also required to have excellent customer service skills and telephone manner, excellent communication, organisational and team skills as well as excellent attention to detail.

Our Legal Secretaries Diploma course is greatly valued by both our Students and the law firms in which they secure employment. Law firms around the country hold our Diploma in high regard and often cite it for the reason that they chose to employ a candidate. We also have firms enrolling their staff on our courses to gain the legal knowledge and skills they need. Our Legal Secretaries Diploma enables students to advance their professional skills, elevating their performance to exemplary standards whilst providing them with a solid basis of legal knowledge and procedure. Our students are empowered to become an asset within their workplace, providing a superior service to the benefit of the companies that appoint them.

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

Legal Secretary – Clinical Negligence – Leigh Day
Location: London
Salary: Competitive

Leigh Day is seeking a Legal Secretary to assist a Partner and the team within their Clinical Negligence department. The successful applicant will hold a responsible position providing secretarial and litigation support to the Partner.

You will be reliable, organised and have fast and accurate typing skills together with excellent administrative skills. The ideal candidate will be computer literate with up-to-date word and excel skills, together with good standard of spoken and written English.

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

Legal Secretaries – Setfords Solicitors
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Salary: £28,000 per annum

Setfords Solicitors are looking for Legal Secretaries to join their team in Guildford, Surrey.

The successful candidates will either be qualified Legal Secretaries or currently undertaking a Legal Secretary qualification. They will be hard working with a can do attitude.

Experience of working within a law firm would be a bonus but not essential as full training will be provided.

The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) is proud to announce that the second Paralegal Conference will take place on Thursday, 22 June at Wyboston Lakes, near Bedford. After the success of last year’s conference, this year the conference is entitled “Future-Proofing the Profession” and will hear from an expert panel of speakers as well as the guest keynote speaker, Chief Legal Ombudsman Kathryn Stone. 

This year’s event will cover a range of Paralegal topics that will allow you to receive the most current information within the Paralegal sector and enable you to think more strategically about future-proofing the profession.

As well as a range of guest speakers and a panel session, there are also opportunities to obtain Continuing Professional Development by attending two of the following eight workshops:

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

Executive Assistant - Owen Reed
Location: London
Salary: £40,000

Owen Reed is recruiting an Executive Assistant for a Magic Circle Law firm in London.

The successful candidate for this role will have experience of working in a similar role at an international Law firm or in professional services role, preferably in a partnership environment. You will also have excellent IT skills, particularly MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as the ability to work under pressure and at times to very tight deadlines with a calm and approachable manner.

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

Corporate Transaction Documentation Support - Scribestar
Location: London/Remote working
Salary: £12 - £14 per hour

Scribestar Limited is recruiting a number of skilled Legal Secretaries on a flexible basis.

The successful candidates will be highly proficient in using word processing packages, be 100% reliable and have excellent written and spoken communication skills. They will also be able to work under pressure, be willing to learn a new processing platform and ideally have document production skills. Candidates must either have experience working within law firms or other corporate environments.

SecsintheCity, the UK’s only specialist job site for PAs and EAs, has launched their annual PA of the Year Awards.
 
For the sixth year running, we’re shining a light on PAs’ critical contribution to business, showcasing the country’s powerhouses of proactivity and professionalism.

Why Enter?

Scooping an award is the ultimate career accolade. So if you’ve earned a shot at the shortlist or know a PA who makes anything possible, it’s payback time. 

There’s a wealth of exclusive prizes on offer, and winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony at London’s The Ivy restaurant on Thursday, 9 November.

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

Legal Secretary x 2 - Owen Reed
Location: St Paul’s, London
Salary: £36,000 - £38,000

Owen Reed is looking for two Legal Secretaries to join a top law firm near St Pauls, London.

One Legal Secretary will join the corporate team and the other will join the real estate finance & projects team.

You will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of the highest standards of administrative support working within a collaborative team. You will have strong experience of working within the sector and  bring a positive, professional, approach and the ability to deliver an exceptional quality of work under tight deadlines.

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

Junior Legal Secretary – Real Estate – Owen Reed
Location: London
Salary: £25,000 

Owen Reed are recruiting a Junior Legal Secretary to join a top law firm in London.   

The successful candidate will be a proactive, positive professional who is comfortable working both independently and collaborating as part of a high performing team.

View the full job description here: 
https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/96278/

Places are selling out fast for a development conference which offers training and support to key office staff.

The event is being staged in Bristol, by the Exeter PA Network. It offers training, development and networking for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Secretaries and Administrators, and is open to attendees from across the country. It follows the success of the network’s inaugural conference last year, which was run in partnership with the Bristol and Cardiff PA Networks.

It takes place on Friday, 13 October, at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bradley Stoke, Bristol, which is easily accessible whether travelling by train or car. 

Kim Glover, founder of the Exeter PA Network, says, “We have seen delegate numbers grow this year, which is fantastic. I think this is a reflection of the quality of the event produced last year.

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

Legal Secretary – Bowers
Location: Golders Green, London
Salary: Competitive

Bowers is a niche law firm in Golders Green which specializes in, amongst other things, Disability and Equality Law. 

They are looking for a full-time secretary to assist their expanding Disability Law department.

View the full job description here: 
https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/98970

Property Legal Secretary – Owen Reed
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Salary: £26,200 - £28,000

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/

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

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

Legal Secretary – Moore Blatch
Location: Richmond, London
Salary: Market Rate

Moore Blatch is looking for a Legal Secretary to join its law firm based in Richmond.

If you are an experienced Legal Secretary who enjoys being busy and takes a pride in organising and supporting others then this may be the role for you. 

The successful candidate will have recent experience of supporting a Real Estate team. You will also need an eye for detail and fast, accurate word processing skills, a good knowledge of Microsoft Office and a good standard of numeracy.