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  1. Home
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  5. March 2019
  6. Accredited Paralegal Committee profile

Accredited Paralegal Committee profile

Committee convener Karen Leslie is an accredited paralegal in Stronachs, practising in the area of debt recovery
18th March 2019 | Karen Leslie

What made you pursue a career as a paralegal?

I come from a background of finance and credit control. When a case “went legal” to repossess a vehicle or pursue payment through the courts it would be sent to the solicitors, and usually never seen again. I was always interested to learn what happened next. I wanted to be able to progress a case from the outset to its conclusion. When the opportunity to train as a paralegal in debt recovery came along, I jumped at the chance.

Why did you decide to join the committee and take on the role of convener?

I first worked with the Law Society of Scotland as Joint President of the Scottish Paralegal Association (SPA), to develop and introduce what was then the Registered Paralegal scheme. That was over 10 years ago. I was very passionate about the progression and recognition of paralegals then and remain so now.

What have been the highlights for you personally?

Changing the name of the scheme from Registered to Accredited. Some may say a simple case of rebranding. But for me, it demonstrates the Society’s continued support of the valuable role paralegals play in the Scottish legal market today.

What’s your top tip for accredited paralegals?

Don’t forget to access the support available. Whether that is Professional Practice, Lawscot Wellbeing or the SPA. Oh, and enjoy your job!

If you could change only one thing for accredited paralegals, what would it be?

Good question. I believe the scheme works and does what it sets out to do. As a voluntary scheme, however, the challenge remains to increase awareness of the benefits of becoming accredited. There is increasing political pressure to offer more diverse and cost effective legal services. To meet this challenge with confidence and demonstrate the value and quality of our legal services in Scotland, it simply makes good professional and business sense to ensure that standards remain paramount.

What keeps you busy outside of work?

I love the outdoors, whether on my bike or hiking over the hills. They say there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing, but on a really awful day, the sofa with a good book does the trick!

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In this issue

  • How will Brexit affect my mother-in-law?
  • Settling the debate on sequestration
  • Taking wellbeing seriously
  • How will personal data continue to flow after Brexit?
  • Buildmark, and a little extra help for NHBC
  • Reading for pleasure
  • Opinion: Laurie Anderson
  • Book reviews
  • Profile: Lord Mackay of Clashfern
  • President's column
  • People on the move
  • Is your legal software ready to remain compliant in 2019?
  • What's the deal?
  • Ready to leave?
  • A tapering opportunity
  • Brexit: no dealbreaker either
  • The business of divorce
  • Trailblazing 12
  • Cohabitants: rebalancing the law
  • Litigation: an evolving scene
  • Chain transactions
  • When delay is not fatal
  • Data protection – deal or no-deal?
  • Two cases and an order
  • Reshaping trade mark law
  • When the wheels come off
  • Parentage or privacy?
  • Access right, right of access or right of way?
  • Team of one
  • Public policy highlights
  • OPG update
  • Housing specialism added to accreditation list
  • At the boundary's edge
  • Keep the dual role
  • Executry and trust accounting: new guidance
  • Moving nightmares
  • Accredited paralegal update
  • Sign up for conference
  • Accredited Paralegal Committee profile
  • Ask Ash

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