Chartered Paralegal: professional recognition for career paralegals

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There are an estimated 250,000 paralegals in the UK, a figure that has grown considerably in recent years. Paralegals play a vital role in legal businesses of all sizes, not only providing essential support to lawyers, but also working independently to manage cases and serve clients.

Many paralegals work in support roles and see the role as a steppingstone to becoming a lawyer. They could be studying towards qualification, like many of our members taking the CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) Professional Qualification (CPQ), or be using the position to build their experience while looking for a training contract.

However, an increasing number of paralegals now see the role as a fulfilling career in its own right. We’re seeing paralegals running their own departments and managing their own caseloads, others have set up their own businesses. In larger law firms there can be large paralegal teams, often with as many as 60 to 100 paralegals, from those new to the role through to very experienced individuals in management roles.

Professional recognition

Despite this burgeoning sector, until now there’s been no formal way of differentiating between paralegals with considerable experience and expertise and those just starting out. It hasn’t always been easy for employers and clients to determine the level at which a paralegal is operating or discern their professional standing. There’s also been no formally recognised progressive career framework available.

At CILEX, we recognised that this needed to change. We know from our members that not every paralegal wants to be a fully qualified lawyer but they still want the kind of professional recognition that comes from association with a formal career structure and the achievement of professional status.

Last month CILEX launched CILEX Chartered Paralegal – available to professionals who’ve been working in a legal role for more than five years and can demonstrate extensive legal knowledge and competence across key duties and behaviours. It provides career paralegals with a formal status recognising their achievements.

Designed with input from employers, the new status comes with clear standards and independent regulation, supported by a public-facing register to promote public confidence in the delivery of legal services and justify commensurate charging rates.

More than just a title

The CILEX Chartered Paralegal title demonstrates technical skills, experience and expertise to employers, potential employers and colleagues while clients are reassured by the formal professional status.

“Anyone can call themselves a paralegal, but it's important to be part of a recognition that makes you stand out from the rest,” says Ashleah Skinner who works in the House of Lords and is one of CILEX’s newest Chartered Paralegals, after taking part in the pilot programme earlier this year.

“The experience assessment route enabled me to be recognised for my experience and gain Chartered Paralegal status – something that other people also recognise. I’ve worked so hard as a paralegal and it’s amazing to get that reflected by my new status.”

Another new CILEX Chartered Paralegal, Maria Pombo from business turnaround service BeRescued, believes the new status reflects the changing nature of the paralegal sector. “This is about more than just a title. It’s a marker of how far we’ve come – of how paralegals are stepping into the spotlight as trusted, regulated professionals in their own right.

“Chartered status shows that our sector is evolving – that the legal profession is expanding to recognise new specialisms and career paths that respond to modern needs.”

Dawn Gore of southern England law firm Trethowans LLP wanted to go for the new status as soon as she heard about the plans for Chartered Paralegal: “I was keen to progress my professional standing within the industry, so volunteered to be one of the first members to go through the pilot.

“I believed that gaining Chartered Paralegal status would set me apart and give additional confidence to clients that paralegals hold substantial experience and expertise within the industry.

“While the process is lengthy and can be quite daunting, I think that if you want to achieve Chartered status it’s worth going that extra mile.”

Ashleah recommends it to other career paralegals: “Believe in yourself and trust the process. It may seem daunting and a bit overwhelming, but it's just about demonstrating the work you do.”

Diversity in the law

CILEX has long championed diversity in the profession and is dedicated to opening up legal careers to those from backgrounds typically underrepresented in the sector. CILEX Chartered Paralegal is a significant step to supporting people who’ve built careers in the legal profession in non-traditional ways.

It’s an opportunity that not only benefits career paralegals who’ll now have access to career development and long-term career pathways, but it’ll also inject greater diversity into the sector.

The first cohort of new CILEX Chartered Paralegals are already feeling the benefit to their careers and this new cadre of experienced and accountable professionals will benefit those who employ them, their clients and the provision of legal services as a whole.

Craig Hamer is CEO of CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives).