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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Paralegal
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A quick definition of Paralegal:
A paralegal is a person who helps lawyers with their work. They can do things like research, write documents, talk to clients, and help lawyers in other ways. But they are not allowed to do everything a lawyer can do, like go to court or give legal advice.
A more thorough explanation:
A paralegal is a person who works for a lawyer, law office, company, or government agency and helps with legal work. They are trained and certified to do specific legal tasks, but they cannot practice law or give legal advice.
Paralegals do many things to help lawyers, such as:
- Researching legal issues
- Preparing legal documents
- Interviewing clients
- Assisting lawyers in court
For example, if a lawyer is working on a case, a paralegal might help by finding information about similar cases that have been decided in the past. They might also help prepare documents that need to be filed with the court, like a complaint or a motion. In court, a paralegal might help the lawyer by taking notes or organizing documents.
It's important to remember that paralegals cannot do everything that a lawyer can do. They cannot represent clients in court, give legal advice, or sign legal documents on behalf of a client. However, they are an important part of the legal team and help lawyers provide better service to their clients.