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Legal Secretarial Programme
HISTORY
The secretarial Course was introduced to the College in 1963 when the College was opened. The Secretarial courses were conducted under The Business Studies Department. As time went on, it was decided that the Legal Secretarial Programme be introduced and this was affected in the year 1990/1991 academic year.
Who is a Legal Secretary?
This is a support staff that provides the legal secretarial and administration support for lawyers and legal executives, and help with the day-to-day tasks involved in running a legal firm or legal government department such as The Judiciary and The Ministry of Justice.
What is the work like?
The main work of a legal secretary involves the typing of letters and other court documents such as will, contracts and court documents. The legal secretary often works from notes dictated by a lawyer onto audiotape. The other duties could include the following:
a) Answering telephone calls, letters, faxes and e-mails.
b) Organizing diaries and making appointments.
c) Preparing court forms and statements.
d) Keeping records of costs and controlling petty cash.
e) Dealing with enquiries from clients.
f) Attending court or police cells with solicitors.
g) Delivering and collecting documents.
h) Filling and other general clerical work.
If a legal works in a small local firm, she or he would develop experience in a wide range of legal matters, whilst in larger firms she or he would often specialize in a particular area of law.
What qualification and experience will employees look for?
The Legal Secretary will usually need experience of office work, plus accurate typing skills.
She or he would also have an advantage with audio transcription skills. Temporary office work (known as ‘temping’) is a good way of getting relevant experience. Full – and part time courses in computer and secretarial skills are widely available at our college (Evelyn Hone).
