Legal secretary

In this role you could:

• produce legal documents like wills and contracts
•  prepare court forms and statements
•  handle confidential information
•  work from solicitors' written notes and audio files (dictation)
•  deal with clients
•  make appointments and manage diaries
•  accompany solicitors to court or police stations
•  deliver and collect documents
•  do general administrative work like record keeping and filing

• administration skills
• legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• customer service skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by a professional body

With experience you could become a senior secretary, PA or office manager in larger firms.

With further qualifications, you could become a legal executive, paralegal or licensed conveyancer.

You could also work towards training as a solicitor or barrister.