Institute of Paralegals
Setting Standards - Promoting Professionalism
Information for Employers
Promoting professionalism
We're here to make your people your greatest resource.
Our role is that of representative professional body, not trades union. As our intention is to develop the paralegal profession, we are keen to work with you and your staff who undertake a paralegal role (whether they have the job title of paralegal or otherwise).
Recent changes within the wider legal profession such as the Legal Services Act and the Legal Aid Reforms are driving changes by creating an immediate demand for a professionalised, skilled and motivated paralegal workforce that will become an increasingly essential resource. Be part of the leading professional body actively working to promote the development and professionalisation of paralegals in both in the UK and internationally.
Benefits for Employers
There are a variety of benefits that you as an employer will enjoy if your staff join us:
Access to member services and benefits
- Improved staff morale and efficiency by actively assisting paralegal staff to achieve a recognised professional status
- The creation of informal paralegal support networks which will allow your paralegal staff to seek help and guidance in performing their duties
- Easy access to paralegal information, training and recruitment services
- Assistance in helping to define the levels of professionalism and professional conduct that you ought to be asking of your paralegals
- The only nationally recognised career path for paralegals based on specialist paralegal qualifications
- Objective and independent competency standards for benchmarking, appraising, performance managing and risk managing.
- Professional designations, 'Certifed Paralegal' and 'Qualified Paralegal' which recognise, validate and promote your staff to clients, regulators and the legal profession.
Cost Savings
Many paralegals are highly trained, experienced legal practitioners, yet their cost to you is only a fraction of the cost of hiring a solicitor. With the appropriate training and guidance, you can build a team of experienced paralegals able to handle many of your businesses' regular legal tasks.
Membership for Employers
Further applications for corporate membership are not currently being accepted, but will be welcomed again later this year. Please email us to discuss at office@ theiop.org (note break in link to avoid spammers)
Staff Development
We will be delighted to assist employers who wish to discuss the opportunities available to develop the careers of their paralegal staff.
Training Assistance
Paralegal training in England & Wales is quite unstructured. We do not offer training ourselves, but will be delighted to assist you in refining your paralegal training needs and, if you wish, helping you to locate suitable courses for your staff. In addition, we can accredit in-house training to enhance its value to you and the benefit to your staff.