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5 Write A Short Notes - para Legal ENG

Paralegals assist lawyers but cannot practice law themselves. In India, paralegal roles are less established than in other countries. Paralegals perform tasks like legal research, drafting documents, assisting with client communication, and case preparation to support lawyers. While not required to have a law degree, paralegals need skills like strong communication, organization, and the ability to understand and explain legal topics. As the demand for legal services grows, so does the potential scope for paralegals in India. However, it remains a challenging field to find paid paralegal positions.

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Hitesh Hd
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268 views

5 Write A Short Notes - para Legal ENG

Paralegals assist lawyers but cannot practice law themselves. In India, paralegal roles are less established than in other countries. Paralegals perform tasks like legal research, drafting documents, assisting with client communication, and case preparation to support lawyers. While not required to have a law degree, paralegals need skills like strong communication, organization, and the ability to understand and explain legal topics. As the demand for legal services grows, so does the potential scope for paralegals in India. However, it remains a challenging field to find paid paralegal positions.

Uploaded by

Hitesh Hd
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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30/11/2023, 19:59 PARALEGAL SERVICES IN INDIA

PARALEGAL SERVICES IN INDIA


Introduction
What is a Paralegal and what do they do? Many times, Lawyers and Paralegals are considered to be the
same, but that is not the case.

Paralegals are different from Lawyers. They do not


give legal services but work in the legal field. The
main responsibility of a Paralegal is to support
and assist Lawyers in their work. They work as the
subordinates to their lawyers. Paralegals are hired
by a law firm, an independent lawyer, law
office,court authority or any other governmental
agency relating to the area and the nature of the
work.They could be a part of the support staff in
firms or an assistant to an attorney.i Paralegals
jobs in India are less but are increasing gradually.

History of Paralegals
The profession of Paralegals initially developed when a need for a legal professional position could be filled
between a position of an attorney and a legal secretary, for legal services to be provided to the public at a
much lower cost, less time and with efficiency.

In the 1960’s the need for legal services became


a significant issue and thus, at the current stage,
it includes increased use of paralegals to make
legal services more affordable.

Definition
“ A legal or paralegal is a person qualified by
education, training or work experience who is
employed or retained by a lawyer, law office,
corporation, or other entity who performs
specifically delegated substantive legal work for
which a lawyer is responsible.” - As adopted by
the ABA in 1997.

A Paralegal’s duty:

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Arrangement of necessary documents to help


their lawyers during trials and organize them in a
proper manner and summarize interrogation or
testimonies.

The primary role of a paralegal would be to assist


lawyers in hearings and trials while writing down
notes and reports while also maintaining the
schedule of their lawyers. Other management and
arrangements for travel would also be their
responsibility. They Attend and help to prepare for
trials, hearings and important meetings for the
lawyer.

Other administrative and clerical work for the


lawyer’s firm.

Draft legal documents, correspondence,


pleadings and conduct and provide
legal research, laws, and rules and
regulations and conduct research and
investigation on the facts of a case.

One of the very vital duties for a paralegal


includes drafting and researching legal
cases. They find appropriate and
relatable laws, precedents, legal articles
that are relevant to current legal cases.
So,gathering important information,
studying and analyzing it is a very crucial
duty for paralegals.

An attorney or a lawyer can represent clients and argue in courts whereas Paralegals work under a lawyer to
assist them in their work.

When a common man finds it difficult to understand the technical legal procedure and law jargon, the
paralegal attempts to simplify it.They cannot give legal advice, or accept fees from the clients directly.If they
do so, it is considered as unauthorized practice of law. They, however, can in some cases interview clients or
locate and interview a witness on the direction of their supervisor and maintain general contact with the
clients. Even though it is an assistant role, their job is very essential and necessary in the legal field as they
perform all back functions for the attorneys. They can take on more projects other than the points mentioned
above, as per their expertise in the field. It involves a great deal of paperwork but paralegals could free up
the time of their lawyers and take off a part of their workload.

Their qualification
Unlike lawyers, they usually do not require to attend a Law college or own a Bar license.

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In India, The candidate should have cleared class


12th, in any area or field.
Bachelor’s Degree in any field (Preferred)

Any other advanced and higher education could


improve their prospects.
Certification or a Diploma in Paralegal services
from any university. (Optional).

Diploma in Paralegal services in India

Indira Gandhi Open University ( IGNOU),


Delhi- Distance learning course for 1

year.

Tezpur University.

Certificate courses in Paralegal


services in India

Symbiosis Law College (SLS), Pune- 1 year

Central University of Tamil Nadu

Other essential skills:


Analytical and technical skills, Research skills,
communication skills, organizational and interpersonal skills, legal reasoning skills, logical reasoning skills,
detail-oriented, computer knowledge and technology skills, ability to multitask, willingness to learn, discipline.

Types of Paralegals
There are different kinds of lawyers like civil, corporate or criminal lawyers. Paralegals can work under any of
them according to their choice and area of interest and expertise.

Therefore, different kinds of paralegals would be Litigation Paralegal, Corporate Paralegal, Family Paralegal,
Bankruptcy Paralegal, Intellectual Property Rights Paralegal and many others.

Scope in India
In India, the concept or the post of Paralegals is almost as good as non-existent or may exist informally.There
are hardly any job posts for paralegals as their work is substituted by interns. Students working under lawyers
as an internship start as a paralegal itself. Interns in any law firms in India could be called paralegals.
Basically, anybody who assists a lawyer in subordinate work can be called as paralegals.

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Paralegals in India could usually mean interns just


working for a long- term in a law firm but perform
the same work as the paralegal. There is massive
competition for high-performing lawyers itself in
India, finding a salary paying job as a under a
paralegal post in India could be even more
difficult. Although, there are certificate courses or
diplomas for Paralegal services in India which
can give a student an upper hand for securing
good internships in India before getting into law
school. With prior practical and diversified
experience, the chances of getting into the
desired law school, even if applying abroad,
could rise.This experience could also in turn help
you explore and narrow down your areas of
interest. There is no age criteria or a minimum
level of education in a strict sense. Good
communication skills could come in handy for a
lawyer and the willingness to help attorneys even
in menial tasks could make an individual a good
paralegal.

A paralegal/intern/legal assistant work is not


difficult to find as lawyers exist in almost every
part of India and every lawyer needs a paralegal.
An increase in demand for lawyers in today’s
world will increase the demand for paralegals as
well. But, In India, It might not be a respected
post as a job. Paralegals are very active in the
UK, the US and Canada with a good amount of
salaries as well. If a job for a paralegal is applied
in the US, one could end up making thousands of
dollars annually.The job is similar to that in India,
but with a more definite salary and has an official
post.

In India, as paralegals do not formally exist, the


role that is performed by interns could be paid or
unpaid at least at the entry-level as this is an
opportunity for learning practical experience and
is considered as a step taken for exposure into
the real world of working and practicing lawyers
for the students.

There is a possibility of this profession developing in the coming years in India as many universities have
started providing more and more official and extensive “Paralegal Training” courses for students and for those

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