Legal Support

Paralegal

Legal professionals who assist solicitors and barristers with casework, research, and administration — a vital role and common stepping stone into the profession.

Overview

Paralegals are legal professionals who carry out substantive legal work under the supervision of a solicitor or barrister. They are an essential part of the legal workforce, and the role has grown significantly in both scope and recognition. There are an estimated 300,000+ paralegals working in England & Wales.

Unlike solicitors and barristers, 'paralegal' is not a protected title — anyone can call themselves a paralegal regardless of qualifications. However, there are now professional qualifications, including the CILEx Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice, and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) offers a structured paralegal pathway.

Paralegals work in every type of legal setting: law firms, in-house legal teams, barristers' chambers, the CPS, legal aid organisations, and local authorities. The work varies enormously depending on the employer and practice area. A paralegal at a City firm might spend months on a single due diligence exercise, while a paralegal at a legal aid charity might run their own caseload of housing or immigration matters.

For many, the paralegal role is a stepping stone to qualifying as a solicitor. The SQE reforms have made this more feasible, as paralegal work can now count towards the two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) needed for qualification. This has transformed the paralegal role from a dead-end into a genuine qualification pathway.

Day-to-Day Work

Conducting legal research and preparing case summaries
Drafting routine legal documents and correspondence
Preparing court bundles and managing case files
Attending client meetings and taking instructions
Liaising with courts, opponents, and third parties
Managing databases and legal technology systems
Supporting solicitors during transactions and litigation
In some settings, managing your own caseload under supervision

How to Qualify

No formal qualification is required to work as a paralegal. However, a law degree, CILEx Level 3 qualification, or legal secretary diploma is helpful. Paralegal work experience can count towards SQE Qualifying Work Experience. The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) offers a paralegal apprenticeship.

Entry-level paralegal

Immediate

Can start with A-levels, a law degree, or any degree. Some firms require a degree.

Experienced paralegal

2–5 years

Develop expertise in a practice area and take on more responsibility.

Senior paralegal / team lead

5+ years

Manage junior paralegals and run complex matters.

Qualify as solicitor (optional)

2+ years

Use paralegal experience as QWE and pass the SQE to qualify.

Typical Costs

Law degree (if pursued)£27,750–£37,000

CILEx Level 3 (if pursued)£1,500–£3,000

SQE (if pursuing qualification)£4,564 + preparation

Salary Ranges

Entry-level / junior£18,000–£24,000

Experienced (2–5 years)£24,000–£35,000

Senior paralegal (City)£35,000–£55,000

Specialist paralegal£40,000–£60,000

Key Skills

Legal research and analysis

Attention to detail

Organisation and file management

Clear written communication

IT and legal technology proficiency

Initiative and problem-solving

Pros & Cons

Advantages

Low barrier to entry — no formal qualification required
Genuine pathway to solicitor qualification via SQE
Valuable legal experience from day one
Wide variety of practice areas and employers
Growing recognition and professionalisation of the role

Disadvantages

Lower pay than qualified solicitors
Title is unregulated — quality varies
Limited career progression without further qualifications
Can involve routine or administrative tasks
Less autonomy than qualified lawyers

Related Careers

Solicitor

The most common type of lawyer in England & Wales, solicitors advise clients, draft documents, and manage legal transactions across every area of law.

Trainee Solicitor

The supervised training period for aspiring solicitors, combining practical legal work with structured learning across multiple practice areas.

Chartered Legal Executive (CILEx)

A fully qualified lawyer who specialises in a particular area of law, qualifying through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives — an alternative to the solicitor or barrister route.