Paralegals -- In the Community's Interest? (From Improving Access to Justice: The Future of Paralegal Professionals -- Conference Proceedings, 1990, Canberra, Australia, P 25-38, 1991, Julia Vernon and Francis Regan, eds. -- See NCJ-129734)

• NCJ Number: 129737
• Author(s): M A Noone
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The increased use of paralegals must be seen as part of an overall concern for delivering legal services and not simply as a cost-savings exercise.

Abstract

Paralegal professionals often perform legal tasks which are also performed by lawyers. Paralegals can relate well with the client, provide a link to the legal system, work in a team setting, present alternative solutions to a problem, perform many tasks better than lawyers, and be cost-effective. Paralegals can be used to break down some of the barriers to the legal system, particularly in legal aid agencies already committed to improving public access to justice and to the development of new areas of expertise for legal workers. The growth of paralegals, however, can play only a small part in the overall aim of improving the public's access to justice. Complementary approaches must include alternative dispute resolution, clarification of the language used in legislation, improvement in court administration and accessibility, provision of legal interpreters, facilitation of self-representation when appropriate, and training of personnel at all levels of the legal system to be more aware of socioeconomic differences among clients. An overview of legal aid paralegals in Canada, England, and the United States is presented. 23 references and 5 endnotes