Who Regulates our Legal Services?


We tend to place a lot of trust in the legal system. These services are enlisted when our own abilities to negotiate have been dried up, when a significant wrongdoing has been brought against us or even leading up to achieving a milestone (homeownership, launching a new business, etc.). It’s also during times of distress that legal services are required, which makes it even more important to have representatives who can be trusted. But who regulates these professions? This article will outline the regulatory bodies within the legal profession. 

Legal Services Board (LSB)

The LSB is the overarching regulatory board for all regulatory boards that oversee the legal system in the United Kingdom. These regulatory boards will be listed in the proceeding sections, but they refer to any legal regulators. 

PA Network and Development Conference – Bristol


Places are selling out fast for a development conference which offers training and support to key office staff.

The event is being staged in Bristol, by the Exeter PA Network. It offers training, development and networking for Executive Assistants, Personal Assistants, Secretaries and Administrators, and is open to attendees from across the country. It follows the success of the network’s inaugural conference last year, which was run in partnership with the Bristol and Cardiff PA Networks.

It takes place on Friday, 13 October, at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Bradley Stoke, Bristol, which is easily accessible whether travelling by train or car. 

Kim Glover, founder of the Exeter PA Network, says, “We have seen delegate numbers grow this year, which is fantastic. I think this is a reflection of the quality of the event produced last year.

How to Follow Up on a Job Interview


The job-seeking process can be a nerve-wracking time for anyone. These nerves can be further exacerbated if you’ve had a recent interview with the company of your dreams and have yet to hear back from them. Stay positive; it is important to remember that the process of job seeking doesn’t necessarily end at the interview. When looking for a new job opportunity, you should keep in mind that each step of the recruitment process is a time to be proactive and maintain interaction with the employer. Remember that companies want to hire an individual who has an ongoing interest in the position, and is both passionate and forthcoming in their communication. Following up on a job interview can have extremely advantageous results. In fact, some companies have actually cited the candidate’s incentive to send them a follow-up as being the reason that they made the decision to hire that candidate.

A Trip to The Courts is Enjoyable as well as Educational


When most people think of paying a visit to a court, it is usually either associated with a wrongdoing, for example, criminal activity – or, perhaps, as part of an educational field trip. Yet, the recent announcement from tourist review site TripAdvisor, recognising the UK Supreme Court with an Award of Excellence, is encouraging those outside these typical visitors to enjoy a day at the courts. There are also great reviews about the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand.

21st-Century Wills – Part 2


In August, we considered the Law Commissions’ consultation on how Wills are made in England and Wales. That article reviewed four of eight key proposals, including: 

•    The courts being given greater flexibility
•    Online Wills being allowed
•    The age of testamentary capacity being reduced 
•    How the tests of capacity could be improved 

This month we are looking at four further proposals, namely: 

•    Amendments to the rules of ademption
•    Extending the protection of testators from undue influence
•    Clarifying the rules on revocation of Wills and marriage 
•    Reviewing the rules on deathbed gifts  

Legal Secretary Vacancies September 2017


Here is a selection of vacancies from our Legal Secretary Jobs Board this month:

 

Junior Legal Secretary – Real Estate – Owen Reed
Location: London
Salary: £25,000 

Owen Reed are recruiting a Junior Legal Secretary to join a top law firm in London.   

The successful candidate will be a proactive, positive professional who is comfortable working both independently and collaborating as part of a high performing team.

View the full job description here: 
https://www.institutelegalsecretaries.com/jobs/candidate/job/96278/

The Role of the Law Commission


The Law Commission is an independent body, but one which has statutory powers in terms of the law in this country. It was founded following the Law Commissions Act of 1965, with the overarching aim of providing continuous review and reform of the laws of England and Wales.

The Law Commission itself states that it has four primary objectives in terms of how it carries out its role. It aims to make sure that the law is:

•    Fair
•    Simple
•    Modern
•    Cost effective

What Does the Law Commission Do, and How Is It Independent?

Standing Out in the Crowd – Part 3


Last month, my article ended by emphasising how smiling can make you more approachable and likeable, and by maintaining that if you smile at someone, they will almost invariably smile back. In other words, if you are consistently cheerful, you will definitely be noticed and make a difference.

The next trait that will help you to stand out is efficiency. One dictionary’s definition of the word “efficient” is “functioning or producing effectively and with the least waste of effort; competent”. Look up the synonyms for this word, and you’ll see mention of attributes such as ability, adeptness, capability, competence, effectiveness, productivity, proficiency, skill and organisation.  

Positive Changes to Our Rights to Online Privacy


In this age of technological advances and reliance on social media, the topics that we see frequently grabbing the headlines are the problems that unwanted photographs or information online can cause unsuspecting individuals. Take, for example, unflattering or embarrassing photos or references to personal situations that happened long ago finding their way into the hands of someone’s prospective employer. Another example is the malicious spreading, in an act of revenge, of personal or even incriminating evidence about somebody. 

Crying Out for Better Protection

How to Avoid Procrastination


Everybody, at some point in their life, has procrastinated in order to avoid doing their work or a task, in the vain hope that it might complete itself or maybe even disappear. Unfortunately for you and me, the task never disappears; in fact it normally gets more and more urgent or difficult to do. The best way out of this circle is probably not to get into it in the first place.