If you have an interest in the law, s1jobs is the right place to help you shape your career. There are openings here in every sector, including top legal practices, commercial firms with legal departments and local authorities for whom a strong legal team is essential.
Not all these jobs are for solicitors however. Increasingly there are openings, too, for paralegals.
Assistants have always played an important part in supporting solicitors but today being a paralegal is a top career choice in itself and a framework of training and accreditation has given people in this role fresh skills and status.
The Scottish Paralegal Association was formed in 1993 and it is recognised by the Law Society of Scotland, which operates the Registered Paralegal Scheme that is open to all paralegals with a relevant qualification.
So how do you get qualified? Well there are a number of routes you can pursue but we’ve compiled a hit list of the very best.
Modern Apprenticeship
Skills for Justice and the Financial and Legal Skills Partnership have developed a framework for the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship in Paralegal Practice. Become an apprentice and you’ll get paid while you study.
Diploma
The University of Stirling offers a diploma in Paralegal Scots Law, delivered by distance learning, so you can study wherever you are.
Specialist Training
The University of Strathclyde and Central Law Training (CLT) offer specialist training in 11 practice areas. More than 6000 students have graduated from these courses in the past 15 years.
Professional Development Awards
Both City of Glasgow College and New Lanarkshire College provide full time, part time and distance learning awards as well and HNC and HND in Legal Studies and Stevenson College in Edinburgh provides similar qualifications in legal services.
Conveyancing
Perth College’s course in Conveyancing is available through interactive, on-line study, while Coatbridge College offers Professional Development Awards in both Debt Recovery and Conveyancing, with a range of flexible learning options. A Conveyancing PDA can also be obtained from the University of the Highlands and Islands, which has campuses spread across the north of Scotland, as well as offering distance learning options.
Legal Degree
This is a well-earned and invaluable parchment to have but not everyone who graduates from university with a legal degree will follow the path to becoming a solicitor. Some pursue entirely different careers while increasingly graduates, for many different reasons, are choosing to work as paralegals.
For all the latest Legal vacancies visit s1jobs.com