Paralegals in Legal Aid (From Improving Access to Justice: The Future of Paralegal Professionals -- Conference Proceedings, 1990, Canberra, Australia, P 89-95, 1991, Julia Vernon and Francis Regan, eds. -- See NCJ-129734)

• NCJ Number: 129745
• Author(s): S Churchman
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The delivery of more legal services by paralegal professionals is a cost-effective approach to enhancing access to justice; the judiciary, the legal profession, and the legislature must reduce some of the restrictions on paralegal use so they can appear on behalf of clients in such matters as adjournments, bail applications, and minor case pleas.

Abstract

Functions of legal aid include legal education, law reform, determining service eligibility, and providing certain types of legal services. Paralegals can play a substantial role in these legal aid functions. The primary condition for employing a paralegal instead of a lawyer to deliver legal services should be that there is a discrete body of knowledge and skills to be applied. Inservice training and support are critical to the efficiency and accuracy of paralegal advisors. Enhanced paralegal services will make it possible to open up more courts and tribunals in which individuals can represent themselves. Further, paralegal support and advice will allow most people to obtain legal services at minimum cost. The following conditions for effective paralegal service delivery are suggested: carefully define the task to be performed; provide adequate preservice training and frequent continuing legal education; ensure enough support services; and involve qualified legal practitioners in support of paralegal services. 1 reference