About ILSPA

At ILSPA, we are dedicated to helping both individuals and firms achieve success in the legal field. Whether you’re an aspiring or experienced Legal Secretary or PA looking to advance your career, or a firm developing your team’s expertise, we provide the guidance, resources and qualifications you need to reach your goals.

As the professional body for Legal Secretaries and PAs, our courses and professional development opportunities are designed to open doors, strengthen skills, and raise standards across the industry. Whether you become a Student or Member, ILSPA enables you to thrive in the legal sector.

From our admin staff to our course advisers and tutors, every member of our team is committed to your career. We are a global, diverse and inclusive community, and whatever your background, you will find a sense of belonging here. Whether you're just starting out or looking to progress in your role, we are here to guide you at every stage.

ILSPA's MISSION

ILSPA was founded in 1990 by a group of legal professionals to elevate the roles of Legal Secretaries and PAs through training, career support and recognition. Today, we carry that mission forward with a wide range of services. ILSPA provides:

Recognised qualifications to start or advance careers
Career advice tailored to diverse backgrounds and experience levels
Professional development guidance to enhance skills and knowledge
Updates on new laws, technology and developments in the Legal Secretary field
Guidance on the high standards expected in the profession
A professional community that unites Legal Secretaries and PAs at all levels

ILSPA's Tutor, Seamus Ryan, with our Students

ILSPA's Students at Regent's University

ILSPA's Students on the Royal Courts of Justice Tour

ILSPA REVIEWS

The main benefit to membership is the responsibility for learning coupled with a reputable institution’s recognition. This offers not only the external benefits provided by ILSPA but the desire to achieve and maintain a level of expertise. I don’t think we could have done such a task if we had not been part of ILSPA.Sidley Austin LLP, Worldwide

The knowledge I gained through the Diploma has already enhanced the way I support my legal professional clients. It has given me a clearer understanding of procedures, documentation, and the structure of different areas of law, which allows me to approach legal administrative work with more confidence. It has also improved my ability to anticipate what may be needed, ask more informed questions and support legal professionals with greater accuracy and professionalism. For me, the Diploma has not only added to my technical knowledge, it has also strengthened the value I can bring as a Virtual Legal Support professional.Ana Rodriguez Diaz, Surrey

ILSPA has been an experience never to be forgotten. The support is unbelievable so please take advantage of it. Going forwards, the wealth of knowledge that is available is vast. If it isn’t there you don’t need to know it! I am grateful to ILSPA for the support they gave me at my lowest time, and the push to get the course finished. The Certificate is now framed and has pride of place behind my desk at work. None of the other Secretaries here have this qualification, so I feel quite elitist about it.Carole Walker, Shropshire

The diploma was a dream to complete because I needed to complement all the years of work experience I had in this sector with an actual diploma from a professional Institute. My experience with the Institute was wholeheartedly fantastic. The entire team at ILSPA are welcoming and professional and helped me develop my career further which I am extremely grateful for.Shama Ali, Dubai

ILSPA made me feel very secure that I would have a very good chance at becoming employed after finishing the diploma and investing my time and effort, which was the end goal for me. A lot of the other companies promise good courses but seem to be missing that element of support. I really liked the aspect of membership offered by ILSPA, because it opened up access to a new supportive community. I offer various legal services as a legal secretary. At the start, I focused more on legal administrative services. As I gained more experience, I expanded to offering services bordering more on paralegal work, where I prepare court documents and offer legal research services. I was very relieved seeing how much the ILSPA course related to the research material I come across in my work.Evelina Tarabuta, Brighton

After having my two daughters and changing law firms, I found ILSPA and I was impressed with the flexibility of the learning and courses on offer. That’s when I started to aim more for becoming a Paralegal. During my time at the new law firm as a Legal Secretary, I worked for the head of department whilst doing my courses with ILSPA. The course content was brilliant, very well explained and presented. There was always someone at the end of the line to answer any questions. The feedback was great upon doing the assignment.Elizabeth Forbes, Kent