LATEST ON REGISTERED PARALEGAL SCHEME

The Society would like to bring you up to date with proposals which will affect you with regard to the new Registered Paralegal Scheme which is due to take effect from Spring/ Summer 2010.

The following proposals have been put forward for consultation:-

TRANSITION- STAGE 1
Strathclyde University Paralegal Graduates who have been members of the SSP for two years or more and who satisfy all other entry criteria in respect of the scheme
(see Law Society “ Registered Paralegal paper 1 / Sect. 12 – Transitional Arrangements ) will be eligible for admission to the scheme as having fulfilled those requirements under their SSP membership and will be admitted to the scheme under “Transition – Stage 1 “

The SSP will shortly be writing to members who are in this category , for permission to forward their details to The Law Society and The SPA to enable them to be admitted as a collective.

TRANSITION –STAGE 2
SSP members who do not meet ALL of the admissions criteria, but feel they already meet the standards which the Registered Paralegal Scheme seeks to set, will be able to apply for registration under “ Transition – Stage 2” and each application will be considered on it’s individual merit.

ENTRY – FULL ROUTE
Following this transitionary period, entry to the Registered Paralegal Scheme will be via the “Full Route” and those wishing to enter the scheme from that point onwards will require to hold a “formally recognised and assessed qualification” ( see Law Society Paper 1 Sects 15/ 16 ) as a required basis of entry and will enter the scheme as a “trainee registered paralegal” for a period of time.

CLT, The University of Strathclyde and the SSP are backing these proposals and would urge all SSP members and past University of Srathclyde paralegal graduates to complete the consultation document which is currently on the Law Society website as this will have an impact on how the scheme will evolve.

PHASE 1 of the scheme will primarily be concerned with getting members on board and setting up a standing committee to represent the new profession.

As the standing committee will include a representative of the SSP we would invite interested parties to contact us before the end of January 2010 in this regard.


PHASE 2 of the scheme will look at the possibility of higher rights for qualified paralegals and the specialist status of those having undertaken a period of intensive graduate level study in a particular area of law. We would therefore be seeking recognition on your behalf of a higher status of membership and similar recognition to the specialist accreditation accorded to solicitors practising primarily within those specialisms.

We hope that this information is useful and we shall keep members informed. In the meantime should you have any further queries then please contact the Society of Specialist Paralegals on 0141 225 6700. The full final consultation paper can be viewed at www.lawscot.org.uk/paralegals

The full final consultation paper can be viewed at www.lawscot.org.uk/paralegals

LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR RISK/INSURANCE/PI role at North Lanarkshire Council

See our JOB ZONE for your last chance to apply for this paralegal post with North Lanarkshire Council.

CONSULTATION ON REGISTERED PARALEGAL SCHEME NOW LIVE

The next stage of the Law Society of Scotland Consultation on the Registered Paralegal Scheme is now live. SSP members should look out for an email from the SSP in the coming week. The Consultation Document can be viewed at www.lawscot.org.uk/paralegals