We are delighted to be one of the first law firms in Scotland to take part in the brand new Modern Apprenticeship in Paralegal Practice in Scotland, which has been launched by Scotia Law Training. It begins today, 25 April, and our first Scottish law apprentice is Rebecca Seath, apprentice Litigation Paralegal in the Pursuer team.
The Modern Apprenticeship allows apprentices to specialise in a number of legal areas, including civil litigation and conveyancing, and involves a combination of learning on the job, distance learning and assessment, leading to a nationally recognised qualification. Lyons Davidson’s involvement is a continuation of our longstanding commitment to apprenticeships nationally: we have been a strong supporter of apprenticeships since the qualifications were initially being set up in 2011 and we are proud to have assisted in their design and implementation in England and Wales, and now in Scotland.
Rather than go down the route of further education, Rebecca left school at 16 to join the world of work and came to Lyons Davidson at the age of 17 as a trainee personal injury paralegal. Initially, she dealt with straightforward minor injury claims and, after becoming a paralegal, has been dealing with complicated injuries and raising court actions wherever required.
Now 21, Rebecca’s skills and enthusiasm for developing her law career made her the clear choice for becoming the company’s first apprentice in Scotland. Rebecca said: “I feel that this is the perfect time for me to begin the apprenticeship while I am receiving training in civil litigation at work, working alongside the solicitors and expanding my own knowledge. I will continue to learn while working, which is really important to me, but will receive external training which will be of benefit to my future career. I am excited at the prospect of obtaining a SQC Diploma in Paralegal Practice and look forward to the opportunities it will bring.”
Divisional Manager Katherine Howells-Price, who has been instrumental in spearheading Scottish law apprenticeships, said: “Having been involved in the development of legal apprenticeships south of the border, it has long been my goal to employ the first paralegal apprentice in Scotland. I am delighted that Rebecca will be among the first to pioneer this new route into a career in law. Lyons Davidson firmly believes that apprenticeships are good for the profession and good for our communities, widening access and creating opportunities.”
For more information on any of the issues raised in this article or on apprenticeships in general, please contact Katherine Howells-Price by emailing [email protected] or calling 0117 904 7002.
