Professions Competing in the Market Place (From Improving Access to Justice: The Future of Paralegal Professionals -- Conference Proceedings, 1990, Canberra, Australia, P 131-136, 1991, Julia Vernon and Francis Regan, eds. -- See NCJ-129734)

• NCJ Number: 129752
• Author(s): A Asher
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The status of paralegals as a profession is at a crossroads, and they have to decide whether to take on forms of the legal profession or develop in an entirely new way.

Abstract

Competition in delivering legal services involves providing services as the market perceives its needs and not what a profession determines the market needs. It is essential to analyze the average person's legal requirements and identify cost-effective ways of meeting those needs. Litigation is increasingly being regarded as a poor means of obtaining justice due to costs, delays, and the trauma of adversary proceedings. Alternative dispute settlement is now common in the commercial and family law areas. Credit counseling, consumer advice, and precontract consultation are emerging fields in the legal profession. Advertising will enable consumers to obtain more information and thus determine the services best suited to their needs. The legal profession, including paralegals, can become more competitive from within and better respond to client needs. Those interested in affordable justice for the average person must take some time to identify community needs. Affordable justice will probably only come where some scope is provided for real competition in the legal profession. 1 reference