National Paralegal Awards 2020 winners celebrate with virtual ceremony

The very best of the paralegal profession was celebrated at the annual National Paralegal Awards hosted live by the Professional Paralegal Register on Friday night. The awards ceremony, which is now in its second year, is now one of the showpiece events in the legal sector calendar, highlighting the important role paralegals play within the legal profession.

The paralegal community from across the country came together at the event, which this year was held virtually, to mark the outstanding achievements of both paralegals and firms that support the sector.

The winners from the 17 categories were announced and a PPR Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Sir Robin Knowles CBE for a life-long commitment to the legal profession and access to justice for every citizen.

Rita Leat, Managing Director of the PPR commented:

“We are hugely humbled by the talent shown by our finalists and winners as the paralegal profession in the UK is one to be very proud of.   We are delighted with the support we received with over 500 people tuning in to watch the event “.

The award winners in full:

Best Family Law Paralegal – Dawn Gore – Trethowans LLP           

Best Employment / HR Paralegal – Morgan Sheldon

Best Patent Paralegal – JoAnna Emery – Pure Ideas

Best Arbitration and Mediation Paralegal – Beth Jameson – Gafta             

Best Conveyancing Paralegal – Emily Miller – Thomas Legal

Best Civil Litigation Paralegal – Philip Nam – White Collar Legal       

Best Probate Research Paralegal – Lauren Geary – Treethorpe 

Best Trade Mark Paralegal – Rachel Bowerman – Lane IP

Best Will Writing Paralegal  – Sharon Baker – Mowll & Mowll                        

Paralegal Business of the Year – Fraser and Fraser      

Will Writing Organisation of the Year – Heritage Wills

Paralegal Recruitment Organisation of the Year – The Stephen James Partnership      

Best Law Firm Paralegal Development -Dentons UK and Middle East            

Paralegal of the Year – Midlands/North – Michelle Blackwell – Bevan Brittan LLP      

Paralegal of the Year – South  – Neil Fraser, Fraser and Fraser

Paralegal of the Year – UK – Neil Fraser, Fraser and Fraser

The judges also awarded highly commended to:

Best Arbitration and Mediation Paralegal – Clive Lewis OBE DL – Globis Mediation Group

Best Conveyancing Paralegal – Aimee Haden – Bevan Brittan LLP  

Best Civil Litigation Paralegal – Helen Laycock – PM Law       

Best Probate Research Paralegal – Matthew Boardman – Anglia Research Services                                            

Best Law Firm Paralegal Development – Addleshaw Goddard

Paralegal of the Year – Midlands/North – Aimee Haden, Bevan Brittan LLP   

Paralegal of the Year – South – Ashleah Skinner                          

Dawn Gore – Trethowans LLP                           

Paige Gouldthorpe – Cozens-Hardy LLP

Sharon Baker – Mowll & Mowll

To watch a playback of the virtual event visit https://youtu.be/tvGchIOFqbY

Thank you to our sponsors and judges for their support to the awards.

To keep updated on the work of the Professional Paralegal Register, Paralegal Conference 2021 and when we will be open for entries for the NPA 2021, please sign up to receive our emails.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0203 039 3710 or [email protected]

September 24, 2020 Member News, Awards, Press Release, Paralegal, Paralegals, PPR 0

New Digital Badges and Certificates

We are delighted to announce that we have partnered with Accredible and will be launching digital badges and certificates in the next month.

Through state-of-the-art technology the Accredible digital badges and certificates means that Paralegals on the register and those who hold Practising Certificates (PPC’s) can easily add their credentials to their email signature, as well as their own website and LinkedIn Profile.  

  • The Benefits of Digital Badges and CertificatesAlways Accessible – Never worry about losing your certificate – ever. Your credential will always be present.
  • Easily Shareable – You want to share your achievement.  Digital credentials let you showcase your achievement on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn with one click.
  • Control Your Privacy – Take advantage of searchability and have your achievement be discoverable on search engines or set it to private and share with only selected people. How and when you share your credential is up to you.
  • Print at Any Time – Easily print a high-quality PDF of your certificate, whenever you’d like.
  • Membership, Verified – Your membership can be verified at any time. Your certifications on LinkedIn can be linked to your live credential so anyone, anywhere can see what you have achieved.
  • Embed your credential on your own website and in your email signature.

Here are a few frequently asked questions about the launch.

When and how will I receive by digital certification?

Your PPR digital badge and certificate will be emailed to you during February 2021, so please keep an eye out for an email from [email protected]

To make sure you receive this communication from us, please ask your IT department to whitelist this email address.

If by the end of February, you have not received your credentials, please check your spam/junk folder in the first instance, then get in touch with us at the Professional Paralegal Register on [email protected] or + 44 (0) 20 3039 3710.

I already have a Yoshki Smart Badge on my own website? 

Accredible digital badges will replace the Yoshki smart badges that we currently provide, therefore you will need to replace the badge on your website before the 31 March 2021.  After this time, your website visitors will not be able to verify your membership via the Yoshki Smart Badge.

Will I receive a printed certificate in the future?

No, the Professional Paralegal Register will be migrating to digital certificates and you will receive a PDF Print Ready version attached with the notification email.

For more information, please download our Digital Badge and Certificates Factsheet or contact Professional Paralegal Register on [email protected] or + 44 (0) 20 3039 3710.

January 26, 2021 Member News 0

Outstanding Achievement Award Baroness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town

The inaugural National Paralegal Awards Gala Final was attended by 200 finalists, judges and sponsors on Friday at the prestigious May Fair Hotel.

These brand-new awards, hosted by the Professional Paralegal Register, who is the overarching voluntary regulator for Paralegals in England and Wales, were specifically aimed at recognising the achievements of Paralegals across the UK, law firms that develop Paralegals and recruitment companies who recruit Paralegals.

Kate Hoey MP, gave the opening address as Patron of the PPR, telling the attendees “that regulation via membership bodies is not regulation at all as it does not protect the consumer. The PPR is the only independent regulator for Paralegals and those working in the unregulated legal services market”.

Rita Leat, Managing Director of PPR presented an Award for Outstanding Achievement to Baroness Dianne Hayter of Kentish Town, stating that the Baroness was being honoured for her long career in championing consumer protection and for supporting the PPR in all of its efforts to ensure there is a voluntary regulator who puts the interests of consumers at the centre of all it does.

In accepting the Award, Baroness Hayter, who could not attend the event due to her duties regarding Brexit, spoke via a video stating that she “was honoured to receive such an award on behalf of consumer protection and fully supported the efforts of the PPR”.

The awards were also sponsored by The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Heslewood and Grant Solicitors, Institute of Paralegals, Clerks Room Direct, Central Law Training, Lawyer Checker, Golden Leaves, Which Legal, F-Lex, Stephen James Partnership and Auscript.

April 5, 2019 News 0

PPR applauds the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation

Rita Leat, Managing Director of the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) has given Rita Leat, Managing Director of the PPRpraise to Professor Stephen Mason for undertaking the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation.

The current system of regulation via the approved regulators under the Legal Services Board is at best confusing and at worst detrimental for consumers to enable them to understand where to turn for redress when things go wrong.

There has been a strong argument to suggest that one super regulator such as the LSB should be formed that would help consumers to access redress quicker and more simply, with one set of regulations that cover all providers of Legal Services. This of course is not something that has been received well by individual regulators who wish to keep their set of regulations as being specific to job titles. But is this the right approach?

Regulation of the services (where needed) makes better sense to ensure that only those high-risk matters are indeed regulated. This would better enable professional bodies to regulate conduct only with no overlap with the regulation applied to certain services.

From the unregulated sector, the PPR has risen to provide an overarching voluntary regulatory scheme for all those who would otherwise remain unregulated. Regulation here covers all job titles as there are no real differences in the requirements for professional practice no matter what your job title is.

The PPR, similar to Cilex, operate a two-tier approach to regulation. Recognised Bodies of the PPR handle first Tier complaints which can then be escalated to the PPR as an independent regulator operating an arbitration scheme.

As the leading authority and regulatory scheme for Paralegals we enable individuals to practice specific services only which makes it transparent for consumers.

The PPR who recently held the first National Paralegal Awards with 200 attending across the sector, are determined to rid the legal services market of self-regulatory schemes that offer no protection for consumers who are left to pick up the pieces of an unsatisfactory service.

Kate Hoey, MP recently said ‘regulation by membership bodies is not regulation at all as it does not offer real redress for consumers’. Kate Hoey is a Patron of the PPR and advocates that all Paralegals should join the PPR. No other form of ‘self-regulation’ is recognised by the PPR.

The PPR welcomes the report next year and continues to strive to ensure that consumers are put at the heart of all regulatory decisions.

May 3, 2019 Uncategorized 0

PPR Partner with Legalex

We are very excited to announce our partnership with Legalex. On the 27th & 28th March 2019, London’s ExCeL will play host to Legalex, Europe’s most comprehensive and all-encompassing trade show for legal professionals and the business behind the solicitor.

This year, the exhibition promises to be the most forward-thinking to date – housing 200 cutting-edge suppliers and 150 educational seminars from some of the world’s top legal experts and innovative thinkers. Leading the industry as the most accomplished event for forward-thinking, ambitious and successful legal firms looking to modernise their practice LegalEx 2019, is one not to miss.

Legalex is designed to help the business behind the solicitor. If you’re looking for the most effective ways to increase the profit of your legal practice, step up your marketing efforts, increase client retention, and increase your billable hours, then this is the must-attend event for you.

With a focus on the innovations in Artificial Intelligence for legal firms, how the implementation of GDPR is affecting the efficiency of solicitors, the rise in Cyber Terrorism creating an expansion in the market for Cyber Security Firms and how the Conveyancing sectors are expanding and developing as a key feature of the show.

Over 3,000 legal professionals will come together at the ExCeL to discover the latest tools, products, services, resources and innovations that are changing the game in legal business growth and data security. Aside from the 200 industry leading exhibitors, visitors will also benefit from the expert-led seminar schedule, and the sophistication of the keynote line that gets better every year.

Exclusive masterclasses from cloud storage experts, Tresorit and solutions provider, ME Group Holdings are set to bring in the crowds with exclusive educational content and unmissable opportunities to meet with and network with the experts that are taking the session.

With exhibitors from across the many legal sectors all coming together under one roof, it is hard to find a reason not to attend. This approach creates an efficient solution to your legal problems. Instead of spending hours looking at companies on the internet, speak to the people behind the solution face to face and choose what you can be sure is the best option for your specific firm and needs.

For full details and to register for your free ticket to attend please visit www.legalex.co.uk

 

 

January 8, 2019 News 0

PPR Sponsor 2020 British Wills and Probate Awards.

The Professional Paralegal Register are proud to be sponsoring Young Practitioner of the Year in the 2020 British Wills and Probate Awards.

The overriding purpose of the awards is to recognize the achievements of individuals and companies within our industry, whilst celebrating those who pick up a trophy on the virtual podium.

The awards ceremony, which takes place on Thursday 22 October at 3.30pm will recognize individuals and firms deserving of recognition in the toughest of years. As well as highlighting some of the remarkable changes that may have been accelerated as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We can also promise some memorable stories told through entrants submissions.

Ever popular ex-Royal correspondent Jennie Bond will be adding that little bit of extra sparkle as she returns to host the awards for the third year.

Registrations for the event are now open. Click here to gain VIP access and the best seats in the house for the prestigious awards ceremony.

October 14, 2020 News 0

PPR's Managing Director, Rita Leat shortlisted as Finalist in Best Business Women Awards

Rita Leat, Finalist Best Business Women Awards - Legal ServicesThe Best Business Women Awards have announced their finalists for 2019. The business world is full of talented and dedicated female entrepreneurs who not only run successful businesses but, in many cases, also juggle the needs of their families. The Best Business Women Awards are designed to recognise the achievement of those women across a wide range of business categories from women across the UK.

Rita Leat from the Professional Paralegal Register has been shortlisted as a finalist in the legal services categories. The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) is the overarching independent voluntary regulator for paralegals. Its aims are to promote professional paralegals as the recognised fourth arm of the legal profession and to enhance consumer choice and protection.

Debbie Gilbert, organiser of The Best Business Women Awards said “This is the 5th year of these prestigious awards. We were delighted with the number of entries this year, which came in from all over the UK. This is a tough competition judged by business experts. To be a finalist is a major achievement. Finalists have been selected for their business acumen, determination, creativity and tenacity. Well over 80% of start-ups fail in the first 3 years and all our finalists are all shining examples of being successful entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges.”

Rita Leat, PPR's Managing DirectorRita Leat, who is the Managing Director of the PPR said “I am honoured to be a Finalist for the legal sector category in this year’s Best Business Women Awards. Having achieved my Law Degree as a mature student with three children in 1994 I entered my legal career that has now spanned 27 years”. She continued “The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate not only women in business but for this particular category, women in law”.

The gala final of The Best Business Women Awards will be held on 11th October 2019 at The Tower Hotel in London when the winners will be announced.

September 5, 2019 News, Awards 0

PPR’s response to the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation Report

Professional Paralegal Register’s response to the Independent Review of Legal Services Regulation Report.

The centre for Ethics and Law, University College London, have published the final report on the review of legal services regulation, undertaken by Professor Stephen Mason. The review entitled, ‘Reforming Legal Services – Regulation Beyond The Echo Chambers’ has been welcomed by the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR).

The PPR’s Managing Director, Rita Leat agrees with Professor Mason on the need to further separate the roles of representation and regulation from organisations that purport to ‘self-regulate’, which is insult on both their members and consumers common-sense that it is not possible to regulate yourself.

Regulatory independence as offered by the PPR for all those working in the unregulated sector is readily available to those who seek to promote the professional offering of legal services.

Activity-based as opposed to title-based regulation has been championed by the PPR for many years, consumers need to know that their legal service provider is competent, not that they have gained a certain job title. The Paralegal sector is evidence to this, with the most diverse set of job titles.

The PPR rejects the protectionist attitudes of some regulators and applauds this report for putting consumers at its heart.

The PPR agree the urgent need to regulate technology in the legal services arena to enable consumers to access legal services in an affordable and transparent way.

The PPR is ready to increase its position as the regulator for current unauthorised providers and offers its services to support the regulatory framework in England and Wales. A detailed analysis is underway and a further insight to the report will be published by the PPR in due course.

The PPR looks forward to continuing to work with Professor Mason, the Legal Services Board, the Legal Ombudsman, and government to assist with the development and adoption of regulatory change that will benefit the sector and consumers.

June 19, 2020 Regulation 0

Professional Paralegal Register appoints new board member to join the Register’s Regulatory Committee

PRESS RELEASE

The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) announces that the Board has appointed a new board member Stephen Rippingale-Peters to join the Register’s Regulatory Committee (RRC).

Stephen joins the RRC with over 28 years of experience working in the legal sector and is a professional Paralegal who runs his own businesses specialising in complex investigation on a variety of subject matters both in the UK and overseas. He was the first investigator in a scheme to assist victims of fraud, being piloted by the Home Office and Police, and was engaged over an extended period in the identification of personal assets of a Director following the collapse of a major listed company. Most recently Stephen was responsible for compliance planning and strategy in his role as COFA at a Law Firm.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Paralegals and is Registered in Tier 4 on the Professional Paralegal Register.

On his appointment Stephen said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the Board of the RRC and I look forward to contributing to the important work of the Board in promoting professional paralegals and building trust and consumer confidence in line with the aims of the Professional Paralegal Register”.

Amanda Lee, Chair of the RRC, commented:
“I am delighted to welcome Stephen to the RRC. His knowledge and experience will allow him to make a valuable contribution from the outset. I look forward to working with him as we continue to uphold the high standards set by the PPR to protect consumers.”

The focus of the RRC is to ensure that as the voluntary register and regulator for Paralegals the PPR operates within good practice principles, ensuring a robust framework of proportionate regulation to maintain the high standards that Paralegals must abide by. The RRC comprises of a non-executive Chair and board members who hear complaints and appeals of paralegals on the register.

Contact

Rita Leat, Managing Director +44 (0) 1442 253183

Abby Dennis, Head of Memberships & Events +44 (0) 7511 306379

Notes for Editor

The Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) was developed in direct response to the Legal Education and Training Review (LETR) that recommended a body should come forward to regulate paralegals who are working outside of the regulated sector.

The PPR is the independent voluntary register and regulator for Paralegals in England and Wales.

The PPR has two aims, to provide greater consumer choice and protection and to recognise professionals Paralegals as the fourth arm of the legal profession.

The PPR is a voluntary scheme for Paralegals who do not work in solicitors’ firms and is not governed by the legal services regulator, The Legal Services Board.

The PPR defines Paralegals into four tiers so that Paralegals can be clearly identified and valued for the professionals that they are.

Paralegals on the register must be a member of one of the PPR’s recognised bodies.

The PPR’s Register Regulatory Committee (RRC) can hear complaints relating to conduct only in respect of Registered Paralegals.

Professional Paralegal Practitioners who hold a Paralegal Practising Certificate (PPC) are fully regulated for their conduct and services and clients can utilise a compensation fund when things go wrong.

For further information visit www.ppr.org.uk

June 4, 2020 News, Regulation, Press Release, Paralegal, Paralegals, PPR, Register Regulatory Committee 0