Paralegals work in solicitors' firms, in companies and, increasingly, directly for members of the public. When you work with an independent paralegal, you remain a litigant in person: you sign, file and serve your own documents, and you speak for yourself at the hearing. The paralegal does the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Typical work includes:
The Legal Services Act 2007 lists six reserved legal activities. Only authorised (or exempt) people can carry them out for others, and doing so without authorisation is a criminal offence.
| Reserved activity | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Rights of audience | Speaking for you in court as your advocate. A judge can occasionally allow a McKenzie Friend to speak, but only case by case. |
| Conduct of litigation | Running the case as your representative: issuing proceedings and taking formal steps in your name. |
| Reserved instrument activities | Certain property work, such as preparing documents to transfer or register land. |
| Probate activities | Preparing the papers for a grant of probate for a fee. |
| Notarial activities | Work done by a notary public, such as notarising documents for use abroad. |
| Administration of oaths | Taking sworn statements, affidavits and statutory declarations. |
Everything outside this list, including preparing documents that you then file yourself, is legal work a paralegal can lawfully do.
| Task | Paralegal | Solicitor |
|---|---|---|
| Draft your witness statement or skeleton argument | Yes | Yes |
| Complete court forms and prepare your bundle | Yes | Yes |
| Sit beside you in court as a McKenzie Friend | Yes | Yes |
| Speak for you in court as your advocate | No (only if the judge allows) | Yes |
| Go on the court record and run the case for you | No | Yes |
| Fixed fee per document | Usually | Sometimes |
Not by law. In England and Wales "paralegal" is not a protected title, so in principle anyone can use it. There are voluntary professional bodies, such as the National Association of Licensed Paralegals, the Institute of Paralegals and the Professional Paralegal Register, but membership is optional.
That is why it is worth checking who you are instructing. Before you pay anyone, ask:
A paralegal is a good fit when you are representing yourself and need well-prepared documents and practical support at a fixed price. You should speak to a solicitor if you want someone to act for you and go on the court record, if the case is very complex or high value, or if you may qualify for legal aid, for example in some family cases involving domestic abuse. If your matter needs regulated advice, a good paralegal will tell you so.
I am a paralegal with a Certificate of Higher Education in Law and Legal Practice from Wrexham University, and I hold £1m professional indemnity insurance. Every instruction has a written agreement and a fixed fee agreed before work starts. I prepare your documents individually from your own papers, in English or Polish, and when you want support on the day I attend court with you as a McKenzie Friend. You stay in control of your case throughout.
Book a free 15-minute call. I will tell you honestly whether I can help, what it would cost, or whether you need a solicitor.
Book Free Fit CallThis guide is general information about the legal system in England and Wales. It is not legal advice about your situation. Nevori Litigant Services is not a firm of solicitors and is not regulated by the SRA.
Sources: Legal Services Act 2007, section 12 · Legal Services Board: reserved legal activities