Whats more useful: paralegal cert. or legal secretary cert. if looking to do postgrad law from non-law degree?

Question

i've been prompted to get some experience to 'demonstrate' my commitment as part of a application. Im looking to start either a paralegal or legal secretary ILEX certificate in september so i could get a job next summer to 'further demonstrate' commitment. Any suggestions to which certificate would be more useful for getting a temp job and then crucially to enhance my postgrad application?

Also, my ambition is to do international legal aid i.e. for people in prison who cant afford representation for a trial.. any advice or information about that would be appreciated!!

Many thanks.

Answer 1

Hi, I completed the LPC this year after converting my non-law degree last year by doing the GDL. I got a training contract through doing work experience with a law firm.

If you are studying full-time I would highly recommend spending your summers doing work experience instead of doing other courses. I only say this because I have seen so many people get training contracts/pupillage through vacation schemes or general work experience and it really does seem to be vital for a good CV.

The big law firms in London all run vacation schemes (and will pay you pretty well for it) and will look really good on your CV even if they don't offer you a job with them. Smaller firms are also pretty good but for unpaid work experience (and may be more likely to do legal aid work). Most will happily let you come in and shadow someone for a few weeks which might even lead to a job with them the following summer or if not would look really good on your CV for applying to other firms.

If you don't fancy that, maybe you could volunteer for Amnesty International or something like that to show you have a clear interest in international law and are an interesting person.

Unless you really like the idea of getting another qualification, I wouldn't worry about it too much as the law firms and law schools expect you to get all your legal knowledge and skills through the standard routes anyway.

Answer 2

I'm not sure who told you to 'demonstrate' and 'further demonstrate' ... I think that certain classes are much more beneficial than any "certificate"; for example, if you can do legal research, including house bills before they became law,and can interpret the legal intent, plus find case law on point, that is a talent in and of itself.

I have seen attorneys that can type faster than their secretaries or paralegals - no matter what you decide be skillful in that area; a lot of things are just plain common sense.

I think pointed seminars for the area of law are better than any paralegal or legal secretary degree --- going to school and being in an active law office is like learning to speak Spainish, and practicing is Greek.

Answer 3

You'll more more basics on general legal theory doing a paralegal program. It makes stepping up to lawschool a lot easier too, as many of the concepts are more familiar.

If you really want to practice eventually, then law school is a long-term must. The earlier poster was correct that law school doesn't really prepare you to practice.

But having the piece of paper is generally required before you can actually get involved directly. Without it, you're always going to be stuck doing research and writing for others.

Answer 4

You need to do your Legal Practice Course to become a solicitor.You can't do that without having converted your non-lawdegree to law via a conversion course eg LLdip. This is a 12 month course at uni to do the core modules of law required for LPC (see above). Do conversion course then LPC but if you do it part time you could still do a paralegal job and maybe get sponsored for LPC. It cost between £6000-10,000 depending on rating of provider institution.

Valli LLB (Hons) and I also got a Distinction on LPC.

Answer 5

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