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Overview of Paralegal Studies
Paralegal courses and paralegal training will give you the qualifications to enter the field of law as a paralegal. Paralegals are support staff for barristers, lawyers, judges, solicitors and others in the legal industry.
Common paralegal courses include a one- to two-years diploma in Legal Services and an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), both of which can be offered via on-campus study, as well as by correspondence. Most employers require a paralegal course or approved paralegal training in order to get a job.
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Studying Paralegal Studies
The most common paralegal course is the Diploma of Legal Services, a one-year paralegal course that combines legal terminology, practices and concepts with administrative and computing skills.
There is also a two-year Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) that focuses on criminal law, legal research, civil procedures and law and ethics.
Most paralegal courses are offered via on-campus teaching or by correspondence as online paralegal courses. Although admission into paralegal degrees has generally been easier than entry to law degrees, paralegals are in high demand and proper paralegal training is usually required to work. If you achieve high grades during your paralegal course, you may be eligible to transfer to a Bachelor of Laws.
Careers in Paralegal Studies
Working in a paralegal career means you will be working directly as paralegals, law clerks, legal secretaries, or as other administrative support staff in a private law firm, a legal department for a large organisation or in a government office.
You will perform many tasks, such as writing legal briefs, filing legal documents, arranging and conducting meetings and interviews, note-taking in courts, as well as researching cases or laws for those involved in court matters.
Skills needed in Paralegal Studies
Those in a paralegal career need good communication, strong writing and speaking skills as they will be involved in performing interviews and handling legal correspondence and documents.
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