Paralegal Survey 2007

The Society of Specialist Paralegals first carried out a survey of demographics and attitudes among its members in November 2004. Since that time, much has changed. More paralegals than ever before have gone on to complete a recognised formal course of study through CLT. Paralegal training in association with the University of the West of England has launched across England and Wales, in January 2007.

In the wider world, the role of the paralegal within the legal environment is becoming more widely recognised. Fundamental reform of the legal profession is currently underway in both Scotland and in England and Wales, and although the full extent of the implication of these reforms has not yet been revealed it is more than likely that they will lead to more opportunities for the professional paralegal practitioner.


Type of employment
Law firm: 86%
Public sector: 10 %
Private sector: 4%

What is your job title?
HR Staff: 4%
Legal/Specialist Assistant: 8%
Legal Executive: 4%
Paralegal: 73%
Other: 11%

Working Hours
Part time: 13%
Full time: 87%

Gender
Male: 14%
Female: 86%

Age
20-29: 25%
30-39: 43%
40-49: 23%
50-59: 8%
60+: 1%

Jurisdiction qualified in
England and Wales: 10%
Scotland: 85%
Both: 5%

Salary Band
£0-£10,000: 1%
£10,000-£14,999: 7%
£15,000-£19,999: 28%
£20,000-£24,999: 48%
£25,000-£29,999: 11%
£30,000-£34,999: 4%
£35,000+ 1%

Specialisation
NOTE: These figures add up to more than 100% as several respondents were qualified in more than one discipline.

Civil Court: 7%
Commercial Conveyancing: 8%
Consumer Law: 1%
Criminal Law: 2%
Debt Recovery: 8%
Employment Law: 5%
Family Law: 9%
Immigration: 1%
Intellectual Property/FOI: 2%
Licensing Law: 2%
Personal Injury/Reparation: 6%
Regulatory: 1%
Residential Conveyancing: 48%
Wills & Probate/Executry: 14%

Do you have a university degree?
Yes: 18%
No: 82%

Are you intending to qualify as a solicitor?
Yes: 4%
No: 53%
Maybe in the future: 32%
Don’t know: 11%

What is your view of the status of paralegals among solicitors?
Low: 23%
Medium: 64%
High: 13%

What is your view of the status of paralegals among members of the public?
Low: 40%
Medium: 53%
High: 7%

Should the monopolies solicitors currently hold in the legal services market end?
Yes: 48%
No: 18%
To a certain extent: 1%
Don’t know: 33%

Should paralegals be accredited or licensed?
Yes: 77%
No: 7%
Don’t know: 16%

What do you think will happen to the number of paralegals over the next 3 years?
Increase: 83%
Decrease: 1%
Remain the same: 11%
Don’t know: 15%

Please visit www.specialistparalegals.co.uk