A series of firsts: Launching the paralegal practice course

In the final instalment of our three part series on the creation of our Paralegal Practice course with Robert Gordon University, Rachel O’Neill, lecturer and developer of the course, shares how she joined RGU as well as how the first intake of students are getting on.

Let me start by introducing myself; I am Rachel O’Neill, a Lecturer at the Robert Gordon University with a focus on Paralegal Practice, welfare rights and housing but I also work within the GCLC Law Centre at RGU as a Paralegal. I joined RGU in 2023, having been offered this unique and challenging role. “Unique and challenging?” I hear you ask; well, you know that this is the first course of its kind within a University in Scotland… but that inevitably means my role is the first of its kind too. And it’s been a personal challenge since lecturing was new to me also.  

So (I will preface this by saying, I hate talking about myself) … I started my journey in the legal sector by heading to college to complete my HND in Legal Services with the aim of becoming a Paralegal (back then that was the qualification you needed) but I thought I was ‘too young’ to go out to work full-time yet and decided to pursue the 2+2 Law and Management Degree at RGU. I sadly deferred my studies, had a baby, got a job in a local solicitor’s firm, and started working in sales, marketing, and conveyancing. I remained there for several years, had another baby then found myself in the oil downturn… and jobless. Next thing I knew, I had secured not only a job in lettings with a charitable start-up but also facing my return to RGU to finish my degree. That was a challenging time but ultimately, I was able to utilise my knowledge and experience in law, management, and housing. Over 6 years I worked my way up to Operations Manager, supervising service standards which meant training staff remotely across Scotland, overseeing CPD requirements, compliance, the law, and managing the property department. I loved watching the team learn and grow as individuals and they expressed their appreciation for my guidance and support. It was then I contemplated if ‘teaching’ was in my future.

And here I am now, over a year at RGU (completing my own qualifications in teaching and learning) developing the materials for the Paralegal Practice modules and working as a Paralegal in the Law Centre. Not only getting to practice as a Paralegal while helping people in need, but also supporting students and teaching the next generation of Accredited Paralegals.

In 2023, I taught my first ever module and it gave me the confidence to recognise that I have a lot of experience and knowledge to pass on to the next generation of legal professionals and reinforced why leading the Paralegal course was important to me. And in January 2024 our first group of Paralegals were enrolled.

The first cohort of students have been amazing! We have a fantastic mix of personalities, age, gender, experience, and specialities, and they have absorbed a lot from each other too. Thrown into a world of ‘unknowns’: learning how to navigate Moodle; undertaking independent learning; getting their head around referencing and submitting coursework’s; all while working full-time and being given extra exercises and task to engage with, from posting a video introducing themselves to contract negotiations. However, they have taken on every challenge with enthusiasm and have completed their first semester. We have built a great working relationship, knowing they can rely on myself and RGU for support, but also their peers. The course is designed to allow independent study in their own time, but also to utilise key tutorial sessions and group work to best navigate their learning.

The feedback has been very positive, and I hope that each student finds personal reward in undertaking the course and becoming an Accredited Paralegal, be it knowledge, friendship, or career growth. The benefits of joining this course support the main goals of many Paralegals: to be distinguished for the hard work and dedication in their careers and recognised for their achievements, knowledge, and skill sets. And finally, to be surrounded by likeminded individuals, who all aspire for greatness in their profession.

Applications for the Paralegal Practice course are now open. Join 2025’s cohort by submitting your application here.