New practice area: financial services – asset management

Each month we have been highlighting one of our current 12 practice areas to our members. This month we are introducing a brand new area, financial services – asset management. It is so new that it will not actually become available until 2 September 2019, but we wanted to give you some advance notice that it is on its way.

Each practice area has a set of competencies which we expect an accredited paralegal working in that area to meet. If you are a trainee accredited paralegal, we expect you to meet these after one year of training.

With our new practice area, a paralegal applying to become accredited should be competent to:

• maintain and update fund offering documentation;
• conduct legal research on various topical matters, and proofread;
• prepare board minutes and resolutions;
• implement procedure to call an annual general meeting, general meeting and board meeting;
• comply with the various timescales related to the work of a financial
• services paralegal;
• maintain precedent documents and checklists;
• identify a potential or real conflict of interest and seek the correct support from supervising solicitors.

As this is a new practice area, we are keen to spread the word, so please share this information with colleagues who might be interested in applying for this accreditation. To apply, contact us at accreditedparalegals@lawscot.org.uk and we will email the application forms to you direct.

This practice area was created with the assistance of Laura Mack, paralegal at Baillie Gifford.

Laura was formerly accredited in family law. When she moved to work in-house for Baillie Gifford she realised that none of our current accreditations covered the job she was doing.

So she got in touch and worked with us to create a new practice area. Not only has this allowed Laura to become an accredited paralegal again but she has also joined the Accredited Paralegal Committee, becoming more involved with the accredited paralegal status and the Society in general.

Coming up

On 21 August, we will be holding our annual CPD and networking event for paralegals at Atria One, 144 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, from 4-7pm. There will be presentations from Locktons and Miller & Bryce, a short presentation on wellbeing and mindfulness, and an opportunity to meet the Accredited Paralegal Committee and have a chat about all things paralegal.

This is a fabulous development opportunity for current accredited paralegals and those thinking of joining. It is also a great way to build your network and meet other paralegals in your practice area. If you would like to attend please email accreditedparalegals@lawscot.org.uk