New paralegal scheme in focus at event

A NORTH-EAST woman is to speak at a major Scottish Paralegal Association event in Glasgow on Saturday.

Karen Leslie, joint president of the association, is presiding over its annual meeting and conference.

Miss Leslie, a paralegal in the debt-recovery department of Aberdeen-based law and property firm Stronachs, will highlight industry issues, with particular focus on the forthcoming Law Society of Scotland registered paralegal scheme.

The new scheme, devised by the association in partnership with the society, will set criteria and standards for paralegals to meet and adhere to.

Paralegals are trained in subsidiary legal matters, and work in support of a practising solicitor in delivering legal advice to clients.

There are an estimated 10,000 paralegals in the legal sector in Scotland.

Miss Leslie, the first person from the north-east to hold the president’s role at the association, said: “Our AGM and conference is always an exceptional event, where those working in the sector come together to consider, discuss and devise the development of the paralegal profession.”

Those at Saturday’s event, whose sponsors include Stronachs, will also hear from another north-east woman, Lorna Jack, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, who is originally from Fraserburgh.