Paralegal Schools - More on what is a Paralegal

Paralegal Schools - More on what is a Paralegal
Although there is no definition of Paralegal that applies across all jurisdictions, a Paralegal may be considered someone who is not a lawyer but works with the law. Further, it is generally the case across all jurisdictions that a Paralegal is not allowed set fees, nor to give legal advice. These differentiations even apply to graduates of the leading Paralegal Schools, even if they have one of the ABA approved paralegal degrees, or graduated from one of the other ABA approved paralegal courses.

On a more ethereal level, Lawyers tend to work more ‘across the board’ whereas a Paralegal tends to work more in a particular ‘niche’, and that a Lawyer works more at a strategic level, whereas Paralegals tend to work on individual tasks.

Beyond these differences, and with one major caveat, Paralegals are free to undertake most types of work normally considered to be the preserve of lawyers in most jurisdictions. That caveat being that in jurisdictions such as California, a Paralegal is prohibited from providing a service directly to the consumer. In California a Paralegal can only undertake work under the direct supervision of a Licensed Attorney.

It would be easy to think that the majority of Paralegals work within the legal system. However in many jurisdictions Paralegals have roles in government, business, finance and also the voluntary sector. In fact, in the UK it is estimated that 90 % of the estimated half million Paralegals work out with the legal system. Paralegals work as Health & Safety Officers, Contract Managers, Company Secretaries, Prosecution Case Workers, and Insurance Claims Officers

Jobs related to, or confused with, Paralegal Jobs

Notary Public
A notary public is an office recognised in law, essentially to do with the administration and documentation of non contentious aspects of the law, such as estates and commerce. NPs perform such tasks as administering oaths, taking formal statements, and witnessing and authenticating legal documents. In US Paralegals are often also notaries public, however in the UK a Notaries must be a qualified lawyer.

Legal Document Assistants
A Legal Document Assistant is someone who is not a lawyer, but is authorised in the state of California to prepare Legal Instruments.

Legal Nurse Consultants
A Legal Nurse Consultant is someone who is first and foremost a nurse, who advises lawyers on nursing and healthcare issues, normally relating to litigation cases.