NCJ Number
129734
Editor(s)
J Vernon,
F Regan
Date Published
1991
Length
168 pages
Annotation
The future role of paralegal professionals in Australia's justice system was the focus of this 1990 conference.
Abstract
The issue of access to the law inherently raises wider issues concerning the costs of legal services and the need to examine more cost-effective methods of delivering legal services. The South Australian State Government is currently considering a range of initiatives to improve access to the law. Many of these initiatives emphasize resolving disputes outside the mainstream adversarial system. Although legal advice and representation have traditionally been provided by lawyers, consideration must be given to whether improved access to the legal system is compatible with lawyers' monopoly of legal services, especially advocacy. Greater use of paralegal workers, lay advocates, and advisors may provide the public with better access to the law. Paralegals generally provide a cost-effective way of delivering legal information and can be involved in legal service delivery in various ways. Issues to consider in the use of paralegals are the extent to which nonlawyers should play a role in legal services, circumstances in which paralegals can be used, the relation between paralegals and lawyers, paralegal specialization and remuneration, and paralegal training and accreditation. 111 references and 9 endnotes