A Document Management System (DMS) is a computer software package that records, tracks and stores electronic documents. The type and size of the system for each law firm can vary, but employees are always individually trained, based on the type of document management system that they are using. Then they can use the law firm’s in-house system with the knowledge that is required in handling such sensitive information that is dealt with in this type of profession.

This month we are continuing our review of recent changes to Civil Litigation Procedure. Our focus in this article will be on a new procedure that must be followed before any Court action can be taken in road traffic claims (RTAs), claims against employers or public liability claims. This procedure is referred to as the RTA pre-action protocols.

We are delighted to share some wonderful news with you. Rebecca Saville, who won the title of Up and Coming Legal PA of the Year, recently passed the Legal Secretaries Diploma course and received a distinction for her work. Well done, Rebecca! 

Every year, Strictly Recruitment holds the Legal PA of the Year Awards in London. They launched the awards in 2012 to recognise the vital role Legal PAs, Secretaries, Support Staff Managers and Team Leaders play in the industry. The awards are the only scheme of this kind to be fully supported by the legal profession.

Are you looking for Legal Secretary or PA work? Look no further than ILSPA’s Legal Secretary Jobs Board. Our board is the UK’s largest niche recruitment site for Legal Secretaries and PAs and currently it advertises over 2,000 jobs in the legal profession.

Vacancies are posted by a variety of legal recruiters and law firms throughout the UK. The board also aggregates Legal Secretary and PA jobs listed across the Internet from jobs boards such as totallylegal.com and legalprospects.co.uk.

The top recruiter at present on ILSPA’s Legal Secretary Jobs Board is Professionals in Law. Professionals in Law support legal recruitment in London and the UK's major cities, as well as internationally.

The Children and Families Act 2014 introduces fundamental changes to the way in which children in care will be dealt with. This Act seems to cover everything, from banning smoking in cars to how the most vulnerable children with special needs should be treated. This legislation represents one of the biggest shake-ups in childcare seen in decades.

One of the most important features of the Children and Families Act 2014 is expediting the adoption process, in terms of both attempting to make it easier to adopt children and reducing the length of time that care proceedings take through the court system, with a new maximum of 26 weeks.

Expediting the Adoption System

Working as a Legal Secretary will often mean dealing with clients and customers. As is the case with any service industry, it is imperative to show these clients the highest level of customer service skills at all times, especially considering how handsomely they may be paying for their legal advice and support. Here is some advice to ensure that your customer service skills are always at their best.

Respect

Whatever your position within a legal firm, you should display the highest level of respect for your customers. Remember that they are paying your wages and they have choices elsewhere if your firm is failing to deliver. An open and empathetic attitude should be combined with a willingness to help.  You need to make every customer’s experience with your firm as pleasant and smooth as possible.

For some Legal Secretaries and PAs, acquiring Paralegal skills is a natural progression in their careers. Many ILSPA Members gain experience naturally through work at their firms or have taken  specific courses of study to further their skills. Legal Secretaries have a great opportunity to advance their careers in this respect and can be fee earners in their own right.

This month we are reviewing some of the recent changes to UK Courts that came into effect this year. We will start by considering changes to the Civil Courts and their procedure and finish our roundup with some changes to the Criminal Courts.

The Civil Procedure (Amendment) Rules 2014, together with the 69th update to the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), came into force at the end of April 2014 and brought in several changes to Civil Litigation. Two of the main changes are the introduction of the single County Court and new civil judgment enforcement procedure.

Single County Court

Office* – the UK’s largest event for PAs, EAs, VAs and Office Managers – returns to London’s Olympia on 7-8 October 2014. Visitors can expect it to be a big year for office*, with over 175 leading suppliers, 32 training seminars, inspirational free keynotes and unrivalled networking opportunities. If you can only visit one event this year, make sure it’s office*.

Over 4,000 attendees walked the aisles last year (up 11% from 2012), and the show’s fifth anniversary edition – still four months away – is already on track for another great performance. 

Since the show’s 2010 launch, exceptional educational content has always been a key draw. The 2013 show saw over 70% of visitors enjoying 12 free keynotes and eight free office* Interactive Theatre sessions. Meanwhile, nearly half of attendees at the two-day show signed up for one or more of the 32 seminars on offer.

I started working in the legal profession in 1975 when I left school.  I have worked for the same firm all my working life and thoroughly enjoy my job.