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What is a Freelance Paralegal?

Freelance Paralegal can also be referred to as a Temp, Short Term, Long Term or Contract Paralegal.


They are prepared to work flexible hours.  They are not necessarily contracted to any one Employer and can set their own payment rates and work timeframe.  They are required to work to fill in for staff sickness, holidays or emergencies.  This can be during normal working hours, at nights, at weekends or on public holidays.  Freelancers decide when and where they wish to work and for how much.


Some paralegals do not wish to commit to full time employment because of family or other commitments. Working as a freelance can enable both employer and employee to mutually agreeable working arrangements.


Many employers do not wish to employ on a full time/permanent basis. They prefer the flexibility that a Freelance, Temp, Long Term, Short term worker offers.


Whatever the option, EmployParalegals may help to achieve the perfect work-life balance.


If you wish to work as a freelance paralegal, please sign up and you can use our Timesheets and Freelance Contract to get started!  

Request our Timesheet or Freelance Contract  


Being as freelancers must step in and start carrying out their duties, they must be completely confident of their legal competency, English grammar including spelling.  It may be a good idea to get a Legal Dictionary as some words are not within everyday use.


Being freelance is different to being self-employed in some ways.  Freelancers can work on a pay-as-you-earn taxable basis, or they can get registered as self-employed for tax purposes.  Freelancers will not get sick payments, holiday entitlements as permanent employees do. They will need to be conscientious with financial management.


Being self-employed means being responsible for payment of tax on income, making social security payments and keeping full records of any income, receipts for all working expenses and completing Annual Returns.  They will receive income without any deductions and must prove to potential employers that they are registered as Self Employed with relevant tax authorities.


Freelancers can be self-employed.  The restriction with self-employment is that they cannot work for the same employer on a continuous basis.  They must be able to show that they are part time workers.


Freelancers can work continuously long term for the same employer on a flexible arrangement and are paid on a pay-as-you-earn basis, with payments for tax and social security being deducted at source by the employer.


Paralegals are not substitutes for solicitors, barristers, attorneys.  They work under supervision of qualified (attorneys), solicitors, barristers. Many employers will expect a level of proficiency and qualifications due to Professional Indemnity Insurance requirements.


Advantages of Being Freelancer

1. Work to your set timeframe

2. Be financially independent

3. No restrictions on holidays

4. More time spent with family

5. Working at different locations, meeting different people

6. Set your own Hourly work rate

7. Being able to engage in other work and activities

8. Options to work from Home


Disadvantages of Being Freelancer

1. No holiday payments

2. No sickness payments


So if you are between jobs, looking for additional income or looking for a career change, Create your Profile with employparalegals.com.