Welcome to the Institute of Paralegals.

We are:

- the largest professional body for paralegals - with almost three times as many members than any other body

- the oldest incorporated UK professional body representing paralegals

- the only body representing professional paralegals to have been granted institute status by the UK government

- the only paralegal body to have had its application for institute status supported by the Bar Council, Law Society, Crown Prosecution Service and Citizens Advice

- the only body for professional paralegals in the entire UK to have received state funding to help develop the paralegal profession

- the organisation which publishes the Competency Standards for Paralegals and legal secretaries (drafted with the assistance of scores of law firms and (in part) by Her Majesty's Land Registry and vetted for professional conduct requirements by the Solicitors Regulation Authority)

- the organisation which publishes the Paralegal Code of Conduct

- the only professional body for paralegals in the UK to have worked in partnership with the Ministry of Justice

- the only paralegal body to have been cited by legislators during Parliamentary legal debates

- the first ever paralegal body to be accepted for membership by LawCare

- the organisation which administers the paralegal career path - the Route to Qualification. The R2Q turns a job into a career, and an occupation into a profession. It is supported by scores of local law societies, university law schools, law firms and others

What we are not:

- a training company. You do not have buy training from us before you can join

- a regulator. Whilst we do regulate our own members, that doesn't make us a regulator (otherwise your local library and tumble-tots kids gym would be "regulators" too!)

Our role as the leading representative body for paralegals is not to sell expensive training, but instead to help people who want to become professional paralegals to have a recognised legal career.

We identify, verify and certify professional paralegals so that their experience and expertise will be recognised by clients, employers, other legal professionals and government.

We've moved!

Due to continued rapid growth we've moved to the

heart of London's central financial district: the City:

Institute of Paralegals

No.1 Poultry

London EC2R 8JR

United Kingdom

New telephone no.: +44 (0) 20 7099 9122

New fax no.: +44 (0) 20 7904 3750

New email: office@ theiop.org (Note break in link)

New web-site address: www.theiop.org

What we do in more detail:

Administer the Route to Qualification career path for professional paralegals. It turns a job into a career, and an occupation into a profession.  Read more >>

Set and administer the IOP Competency Standards for Paralegals and legal secretaries. Read more >>

Help our members to develop their careers as legal professionals. Read more>>

Give free paralegal careers advice

Represent paralegals (both here and overseas), for example by complaining to the BBC about outrageous depictions of paralegals

Work with leading organisations such as the University of Cambridge to bring you the best paralegal training

 

Turn your job into a career

Turn your occupation into a profession

join the Institute

(no requirement to study with us before you can join)

As well as setting standards and offering the definitive career path, we also:

Lobby government, regulators and the legal profession on issues concerning paralegals: rights of audience, diversity, professional recognition, terms and conditions, training, etc.

Work with employers and recruiters

Work with training providers, university law schools and others to provide you with the best qualifications at the most affordable price

Accredit courses for training providers here and overseas

We have worked with, amongst others, The Law Society, Bar Council, UK government, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Legal Services Board, Legal Services Commission, Land Registry, Crown Prosecution Service and the Legal Services Ombudsman.

We are headquartered in the heart of London's central financial district - the City.

A not-for-profit professional body incorporated by guarantee, we were granted institute status by the UK government in 2005.

The Institute is delighted to have joined LawCare - the first paralegal organisation to be invited to do so. Now all Associates, Certified Paralegals and Qualified Paralegals can get totally confidential and free advice from this outstanding telephone advice service. Click the LawCare logo or click here for more information.

Click here to join us today