The traditional working practice for solicitors firms has in the past been the solicitor secretary dictation relationship. This is a 'top down' delegation business model. Wilson Nesbitt have had a different approach over the last decade having developed case management systems which allow client contact & file management responsibility to be devolved to paralegals who follow integrated database, precedent library and diary workflow (ideal file template) processes. In the Wilson Nesbitt business model problems and risk management decisions are 'escalated up'.

What are paralegals?

Paralegals are legal practitioners who work for solicitors in their offices handling client files. Many roles involve daily client contact and caseload responsibility under the supervision and direction of solicitors.

Do all solicitors employ paralegals?

No. Solicitors firms are however increasingly starting to employ paralegals. Wilson Nesbitt employ 35 paralegals who work in all practice areas.

What do Wilson Nesbitt paralegals do?

Wilson Nesbitt paralegals have caseload and direct client contact responsibilities in the areas of residential conveyancing, remortgaging, personal injury, family law, estate administration, will writing, property repossession, debt recovery and employment law.

What qualifications do you need to have to be a paralegal?

Wilson Nesbitt's minimum requirement for paralegal staff are good A levels or equivalent or failing that years of accumulated experience in the firm. Almost all Wilson Nesbitt paralegals have degrees and many have law degrees.

Can paralegals become solicitors? The Law Society of Northern Ireland has a discretion to accept on application a paralegal who has sufficient experience in a solicitor's firms to become a student of the Society and thus qualify as a solicitor.

What career opportunities are there for paralegals?

Wilson Nesbitt have a number of senior managers who started the firm as paralegals. Wilson Nesbitt have only been recruiting paralegals since 1998. Wilson Nesbitt are continuing to evolve the career opportunities and reward structures for their experienced and capable paralegals.

Would being a paralegal help me with future Institute exams?

Each year a significant number of Wilson Nesbitt paralegals who have law degrees succeed in obtaining both places at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and training contracts with Wison Nesbitt or with other firms. On average over the last number of years the number of Wilson Nesbitt paralegals who have obtained a training contract has been relatively high in each of the varying recent prevailing circumstances.

Do Wilson Nesbitt offer training contracts to paralegals?

Wilson Nesbitt generally offer at least one training contract per annum, and on occasions more, to those who are successful in the Institute entrance exams. Those Wilson Nesbitt paralegals who succeed in the Institute exams but fail to secure a Wilson Nesbitt training contract very often succeed in obtaining training contracts with other firms. It is generally accepted that Wilson Nesbitt paralegals will have had considerable hands on experience.

When do Wilson Nesbitt recruit paralegals?

With over 35 paralegals employed and many areas of practice expanding Wilson Nesbitt regularly recruit paralegals either to replace existing staff or cope with planned expansion. Wilson Nesbitt recruit at least one or two paralegals every month and in certain times of the year more. Each recruited paralegal will be trained and specialise in a designated practice area and will relatively quickly become very proficient in that area of law with a significant personal caseload. Visit the 'Current Vacancies' section to see our current recruitment requirements.