Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

Legal secretaries provide administrative and secretarial support to professional staff in legal offices. They carry out a wide range of office duties, including answering the telephone, dealing with clients and visitors, and organising correspondence and the office diary, including making appointments on behalf of solicitors and legal executives.  
 
They use computers or word processors to produce legal documents and letters. They may copy type from a draft, or audio type from a tape of recorded dictation.  
 
Legal secretaries maintain and prepare records of legal costs (often totalling thousands of pounds) and need an understanding of accounting, finance and business practice.  
 
Secretaries also prepare and proof read documents such as leases, contracts, wills and property conveyances. They sometimes attend court or police cells with a solicitor. They need to develop a knowledge of law, including criminal law, conveyancing, probate and family law, and must understand how the courts apply the law in particular situations.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
• Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
• Receive and place telephone calls.
• Schedule and make appointments.
• Organise and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
• Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
• Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
• Draft and type office memos.
• Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
• Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.

Further Information

• Legal Secretary - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Legal Secretary - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

A course in legal studies will also provide relevant skills. General experience in office work will also be an asset. You can build your skills, knowledge, and expereince in many ways to grow towards a career in Legal administration: 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & legal administration NFQ level 5 search our FET coursefinder 

FET Centre PLC course: Legal secretary NFQ level 5 search our PLC coursefinder  

Higher Education CAO Entry: Legal studies NFQ level 6 search our CAO coursefinder

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €56k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties & role, qualifications, and experience. 

 

Data Source(s):
Sigmar / Brightwater / Indeed / Collins McNicolas / Lincoln/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment in this occupation has been declining annually since 2019, resulting in a negative average growth rate for the five-year period. Combined, the education, health and professional activities sectors accounted for over two-thirds of employment.

A high share of workers was employed in part-time roles (45%) and almost 40% were aged 55 years and older. As demand for PAs and secretaries falls, those leaving these roles may not be replaced which may see a continued decline in employment levels for this occupation.

• IILEX - The Irish Institute of Legal Executives

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