You want to work in the legal industry but you’re not sure if you’re ready to commit to going down the (rather long) solicitor apprenticeship route just yet? Maybe you want to gain experience working in a law firm before you decide if a career in law is for you at all. If this sounds familiar, a paralegal apprenticeship could be for you.
A paralegal apprenticeship is a great way of pursuing a career in law and to be immersed in the business from day one without having to fork out for hefty law school fees.
The paralegal apprenticeship programme lasts two years and is structured so that 80% of your time is spent gaining experience ‘on the job’ and 20% training and studying. A typical schedule could be working in the office four days a week and studying one day a week.
Typical activities that may be carried out by a paralegal apprentice are:
- Managing data/records
- Reviewing documents
- Drafting and producing legal documents and standard forms
- Assisting with the inception, progress and completion of client files
- Carrying out research
- Handling confidential and sensitive information
- Understand and utilise basic financial information
- Communicating (written and oral) with internal and external clients
Entry Requirements
Individual employers can set their own entry requirements but the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills suggests the following criteria:
- Grade C or above (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths & English.
- 2 x A-Level at grade C (or equivalent)
Progression
Upon completion of the paralegal apprenticeship, you will be eligible to progress to the Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship or Solicitor Apprenticeship.
For more information on the paralegal apprenticeship, click here.