NEW QUALIFICATIONS

LINKED TO

NATIONAL COMPETENCY STANDARDS

FOR LEGAL SECRETARIES

Introduction  

For more information on the standards themseleves, please click here or read the 25th February 2008 article in The Lawyer magazine by clicking here.

Qualifications Connected to the Standards

There are two sets of qualifications connected with the standards. Both are part of the Legal Professional Qualification (LPQ) family of awards, which are especially designed for paralegals and legal support staff:

•  Institute of Paralegals' LPQ: Certificate of Completion (Introductory/Intermediate/Advanced)

•  IAM's LPQ: Certificate of Professional Development

An LPQ: Certificate of Completion can be obtained upon request after asecretary has completed at least 95% of the relevant standards (introductory, intermdiate or advanced) in force at the time they apply (we say 'in force' because the standards will be updated as necessary, and 95+% compliance needs to be proven in respect of the then current standards at the time of application for a Certificate). As well as being a legal qualification, it is intended as proof that the secretary has completed the relevant level of the standards to which the certificate applies. There are separate certificates available for completion of the introductory, intermediate and advanced standards.

The LPQ: Certificate of Professional Development is issued by IAM, a government-approved national awarding body. The certificate is a government recognised qualification. It can be obtained upon request after completion of at least 95% of the standards at all three levels (Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced) in force at the time applied for.

There is no formal study or assessment required for either qualification. They are recognition that the secretary is able to meet the national standards. However, they will need proof that they have met the standards before they can receive either qualification. This is done by registering with IAM, and then a line manager recording on-line, over time, that the secretary has proven to their satisfaction that she has met the standards.

Registration

Ideally this should be done through employers, because part of the registration process involves identifying the line manager(s) who will be recording compliance. However individuals can also register themselves if they can get line manager sign-off.

Transportability

Secretaries will still be able to continue working towards either qualification, and continue to have access to their on-line registration, even if they change law firms.

Membership of the Institute of Paralegals

Membership of the Institute is open to all legal support staff.

Further Information on the two LPQ awards

For more information on the two LPQ awards please contact either the Institute or IAM:

Contacting IAM

Top