Nine legal secretaries at Hutchinson Thomas have qualified as paralegals.

They successfully completed a BTEC Level 3 advanced award in Paralegal Studies provided by Central Law Training (CLT).  Leuanne Rees, Samantha Boyle, Cathy Bolton and Jennifer Hanson obtained a BTEC in Residential Conveyancing; Dawn Hunter-Rowe, Natalie Sadler and Ruth Williams achieved the award for Wills and Probate while Lianne Blackford and Suzette Mullins qualified in Family Law.

The six-month long distance learning course is designed to improve the professional knowledge of support staff within their specific departments.  The course was very practical with the aim of enabling the paralegals to perform basic legal transactions, hone their research skills and provide a better service to the firm’s clients.

Jeanette Lucy, Director of Programmes at CLT’s Centre of Professional Practice, attended the office to present the BTEC certificates to the new paralegals.  She remarked, “It is very encouraging to see a firm that is committed to developing its support staff.  The firm is very progressive in its aim of empowering its staff by supporting them to gain the skills and experience needed to give the clients an excellent service.  We developed the programme to give support staff the opportunity to develop their skills and expertise.  Hutchinson Thomas has embraced the concept which sets them aside from less progressive firms.”    

Robert Williams, Managing Partner at Hutchinson Thomas, said: “We are very proud that our staff members have all successfully completed their qualifications and we will continue to encourage our support staff to enhance their skills”.