Paralegal
Do the research, drafting and case preparation that keeps legal teams running.
Save this career to see your personalized pathway in My Senda.
- Typical pay
- €26k–€45k
- Usual education
- School leaver friendly
- Outlook
- Growing — firms hire paralegals as a route in without a law degree.
A day in the life
Bundle documents for a hearing, summarise evidence, chase a land registry search, and draft a first version of a letter.
Ways in
- Paralegal apprenticeship
- Any degree plus certificate
- Legal admin role then training
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales
Portugal
Línguas e Humanidades
France
Bac général — spécialités
Italy
Liceo classico / scienze umane
Netherlands
Profiel Economie & Maatschappij
Ireland
Leaving Certificate subject choice
Skills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
Paralegal Apprenticeship
Paid legal training inside a firm, a common route in without university.
Paid route in without a degree.
Helpful school subjects: English
LLB Law
The qualifying law degree: contract, tort, criminal, public and EU law.
Also a stepping stone to qualifying later.
Helpful school subjects: English, History, Politics
Places that hire for this
A&O Shearman
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Baker McKenzie
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Clifford Chance
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Cuatrecasas
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
DLA Piper
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Garrigues
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Linklaters
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Uría Menéndez
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.